Can You Use a Gel Top Coat With Regular Nail Polish? Yes, If It’s GelShift.

If you’ve ever tried to layer a traditional gel top coat over regular polish, you’ve probably been told it doesn’t work—or worse, you’ve seen the results firsthand: smudging, peeling, or polish that never truly sets.

The short answer to this beauty question is usually no, but thanks to Londontown’s newest innovation, the answer is officially yes—if you're using the right formula.

Enter: GelShift Transformative Top Coat. This UV/LED-curable top coat is uniquely designed to be applied over regular nail polish (or lakur) once it’s completely dry. GelShift seals in color, enhances shine, and transforms your manicure into a long-lasting gel finish with extended wear

The Truth: Most Gel Top Coats Aren’t Made for Regular Polish

Traditionally, gel top coats are formulated to work only with gel polish systems. When layered over regular nail lacquer, they often fail to cure properly, leading to bubbling, wrinkling, or lifting within a day or two. That’s why so many manicurists recommend steering clear of mixing the two.

But GelShift changes that. Its one-of-a-kind formula is specifically optimized to work with traditional polish, creating a true gel manicure finish that wears beautifully—without the damage or complicated removal process of traditional gel systems.

GelShift Top Coat

Top coat that transforms any polish you love into a gel mani.

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Why GelShift Works Over Regular Polish

The secret is in the formulation. GelShift Transformative Top Coat is designed to:

• Cure evenly over completely dry polish
  Once your lakur or nail color is fully set, GelShift bonds smoothly over the top, creating a glossy, high-performance shield.
  
  
• Seal in color without smudging
  No smears, smudges, or bubbling—just smooth, glass-like shine and a gel-finish feel.
  
  
• Extend the wear of your manicure
   Enjoy chip-resistant results that go the distance.
• Work with any lakur or traditional polish
  This is a true polish-to-gel transformer, letting you use the shades you love, your way.
  
  
• Skip the damage
  Removal is as gentle as your typical polish change—no drills, no harsh scraping, and no compromise.

How to Use GelShift Over Regular Nail Polish

Using GelShift Transformative Top Coat is simple, but timing matters:

1. Begin with your go-to Londontown base coat.
   
   
2. Apply any lakur or regular nail polish.
   
   
3. Allow your polish to fully dry for at least 2 hours, but optimally 12-24 hours—this is key.
   
   
4. Apply a thin, even coat of GelShift.
   
   
5. Cure for 60 seconds with a UV/LED lamp, like Londontown’s Foldable UV/LED Gel Lamp.
   

That’s it. In just minutes, your regular polish is transformed into a gel manicure with enhanced durability and serious shine.

Foldable UV/LED Gel Lamp

Chic and sleek mini UV lamp for curing gel polish at home. Its compact size makes storage and travel easy.

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Removal Is Just as Easy

When you’re ready for something new, gently buff the surface of your nails. Then soak with Prep & Remove Acetone Lacquer Remover, wrap each nail in foil, and wait 10–15 minutes. The polish will lift away easily—no tools, no damage.

The Bottom Line

So, can you use a gel top coat with regular polish?
With GelShift, absolutely.

This is the first gel top coat designed to make the impossible possible—bridging the gap between the ease of polish and the performance of gel. Whether you're after extended wear, a high-shine finish, or simply want your manicure to last a little longer, GelShift Transformative Top Coat lets you do it all, with the colors you already love.

Shop GelShift Transformative Top Coat to elevate your next manicure—and see what happens when regular polish meets next-gen gel technology.