Anyone doing an at-home or salon manicure with OPI Infinite Shine lacquer who wants gel-like shine and longer wear without a UV/LED lamp or soak-off removal.

It suits both nail professionals working through OPI's three-step system and everyday consumers who prefer traditional lacquer application but want it to last closer to gel timelines.

The appeal of this primer is that it bridges the gap between a classic manicure and a gel one: it's brushed on and air-dried like ordinary polish, but its pre-cured gel technology gives the finished mani meaningfully more grip and durability than a plain base coat, without the lamp, the soak-off removal, or the potential nail thinning that can come with repeated true gel services.

• Prep nails by trimming, filing, and lightly buffing; wipe away oils.
• Apply one thin coat of Infinite Shine ProStay Primer and cap the free edge.
• Let dry 1-2 minutes.
• Apply two thin coats of Infinite Shine color, drying 1-2 minutes between coats.
• Finish with one coat of Infinite Shine ProStay Gloss top coat.

Pros

• Adds noticeably longer wear (OPI states up to 11 days) to standard lacquer without a UV/LED lamp
• Removes with regular acetone, avoiding the soak-off wrapping needed for true gel polish
• Wide, pro-style brush head helps lay down an even coat without pooling at the cuticle
• Vegan formula with no animal-derived ingredients

Cons

• Only formulated to work as part of the Infinite Shine system, so results depend on pairing it with Infinite Shine color and top coat
• Pre-cured gel technology still requires proper thin-coat technique and dry time between coats to avoid bubbling
• Doesn't offer true gel-manicure durability or flex since there's no lamp-cured layer
• A dedicated base coat only, so it must be bought alongside color and top coat for the full result