What is the main purpose of a top coat in nail care?

The main purpose of a top coat in nail care is to add shine and durability. When applied over the nail polish, a top coat forms a protective layer that enhances the overall appearance of the manicure, giving it a glossy finish. Additionally, this protective layer helps prolong the life of the nail polish by making it more resistant to everyday wear and tear, which contributes to the durability of the manicure.

While other choices touch on important aspects of nail care, they do not fully capture the primary function of a top coat. Nourishing the nails is typically done through treatments or base coats rather than a top coat. Speeding up the drying time can be a characteristic of specific quick-dry formulas rather than an inherent quality of all top coats. Similarly, while top coats do provide some protection against chipping, the key defining feature remains their capacity to enhance shine and durability, making option B the most appropriate choice.