Matte top coat: how to use it for a perfect matte effect

Minimal and elegant, just one coat of matte top coat is enough to transform any manicure, giving character even to the simplest colors. It is no coincidence that, season after season, matte continues to be a protagonist. But what exactly is a matte top coat, how is it used correctly, and why sometimes… it simply doesn’t work? We are here to clarify and to introduce you to the new arrival at Cactus For You: Perfect Matte, the extra matte top coat designed to last four weeks.Let's get started!

The matte top coat is a transparent finishing product that completely eliminates the glossy effect during polymerization and gives the surface of the nail a velvety and matte finish. It is perfect for enhancing dark colors such as black, burgundy, and forest green, or for making nude and milky polishes more elegant. But it is not just a final step: the matte top coat can also be used to add different textures and graphic details to the manicure, creating matte/glossy contrasts within the same nail art.

In addition to the aesthetic aspect, however, a good matte top coat must protect the color, resist daily wear, and maintain a uniform effect over time.And it is precisely here that the most common problems (and frustration) often arise: many products indeed have uneven application with shiny or whitish streaks, product shrinkage during application, rapid wear at the tip, and a matte effect that fades after a few days.

For this reason, over the last two years we have tested dozens and dozens of top coats, more than one a month, to find a product that meets our expectations and those of the community. Each formula was tested on tips, cured, and checked for streaks and shrinkage from the cuticle area. Only the best passed the elasticity test (the one with the stick!) and were applied on hands to verify their durability in everyday life.Here’s how we chose Soft Touch and the new arrival, Perfect Matte, two EU-made formulas, reliable and high-performing: the best we could find, adhering to our quality and safety standards.

After over two years of research, testing, and (yes) even some disappointments, we are thrilled to finally present our Perfect Matte, the matte top coat Cactus For You designed for those seeking a uniform and long-lasting extra matte effect.

Its medium-high and self-leveling consistency allows for the creation of a more structured layer, which better absorbs impacts and maintains the matte effect for up to four weeks, if handled with care.

It does not create streaks, does not pull away from the cuticle area, and does not yellow. However, due to its porosity, it requires attention in daily maintenance, especially on whites and very light colors.

At Cactus, there is not just one matte top coat, but two, because needs are not all the same.But how to choose the one that is right for us? Here is the ultimate guide:

Choose the Perfect Matte Top Coat if you want:

1. Thick consistency but perfectly self-leveling
2. It should be applied in a generous layer, without pulling it
3. After polymerization, it leaves a dispersion layer
4. Slightly porous surface, more resistant to scratches
5. Lasts up to 4 weeks, maintaining a perfect matte effect

Ideal for: extra matte finish on gel, semi-permanent, and enhancements, for an elegant and super durable result.

Choose the Soft Touch Matte Top Coat if you want:

1. Medium consistency, even more self-leveling: it can be applied in a thinner layer
2. After polymerization, it leaves no dispersion
3. Smooth surface with a velvety soft touch effect
4. Lasts up to 4 weeks

Ideal for: those looking for a silky/velvet matte effect, perfect for modern manicures.

Two different textures for two different effects. Therefore, if you often work with matte, our advice is simple: have both in your kit.

If you have ever wondered “why isn’t the matte top coat working?”, know that, after choosing the correct product, in most cases the answer lies in the application method of the matte top coat. Here are the essential steps that really make a difference:

1. After curing the color, always remove the inhibition layer. The matte top coat should never be applied over the color's inhibition layer.
2. Apply a uniform layer of matte top coat, not too thin. An insufficient layer can wear off more quickly and create shiny spots.
3. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the nail and slightly extend the product beyond the edge of the color in the cuticle area, to avoid visible shiny lines.
4. If necessary, add a small amount of product to level the surface, using a fine brush.
5. Polymerize in a LED or UV lamp following the times indicated by the product. Once polymerized, always degrease the surface: many matte top coats have a slight almost imperceptible dispersion, but it is essential to remove it to achieve a perfect matte effect.

Remember: the matte top coat is more porous than the glossy one. This makes it beautiful, but also more delicate, especially on light colors. Due to its porosity, a matte top coat requires attention in daily maintenance, especially on whites and very light colors. A bit like brushing your teeth: a few seconds a day makes a difference.

To maintain the beautiful matte effect over time , just a few simple precautions are enough:

1. Clean your nails daily with a pad soaked in cleaner or alcohol.
2. Apply light pressure until you feel the surface is “clean”.
3. Avoid acetone, which is a solvent.
4. Be careful when handling pigmented substances such as foundation, turmeric, coffee, or tobacco.

The matte effect is back, and we couldn't wait. With Perfect Matte and Soft Touch, you can finally choose the matte top coat that best suits your working style and the result you want to achieve.

Curious to try them? Discover the matte top coats by Cactus For You and bring the matte effect to your manicures.