What is the primary purpose of using a top coat on nails?

The primary purpose of using a top coat on nails is to prevent chipping. A top coat creates a protective barrier over the nail polish, which helps to seal the color and reduces the likelihood of the polish wearing off or chipping during normal activities. This is particularly important for maintaining a manicured appearance, as chipping can detract from the overall look of the nails.

While enhancing shine, speeding up drying time, and adding color are benefits that may also be associated with top coats, they are secondary to the main function of prolonging the wear of nail polish. A top coat can certainly provide additional shine and may have formulations designed to speed up the drying process, but its primary role is to safeguard the polish against damage that could lead to unsightly chips.