Illinois Nail Technician Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Using a top coat on nails primarily serves to enhance durability and shine. When applied over nail polish, a top coat creates a protective layer that helps to seal in the color and prevent chipping, which is essential for maintaining the polish's appearance over time. This added layer significantly extends the lifespan of the manicure by providing resistance against wear and tear from everyday activities.

Moreover, top coats are designed to give a glossy finish, which enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the nails. A good top coat can also help to prevent the nail polish from dulling, ensuring that the color remains vibrant for longer periods.

The other options, while relevant in the context of nail care and polish, do not capture the primary function of a top coat. Changing nail color is primarily the role of base coats and colored polishes, strengthening the nail bed typically involves treatments aimed directly at the nail structure rather than finishing products, and removing old polish is solely the function of nail polish removers. Thus, the primary role of the top coat is to enhance durability and shine.