Finished a Mooncat’s Sabertooth mani. Sealed it with Holo Taco Matte Taco, which gave exactly the velvety finish I was hoping for on darker shades. No cloudiness either.
Hard gel overlay under your matte top coat. When the color starts to dull you can file it off. The matte finish lasts longer too, no moisture seeping through porous polish layers.
Matte over glossy, always. But a lot of matte top coats end up more satin than flat. Holo Taco Matte Taco dries down like an intentionally matte polish does, and it holds that finish longer than most others.
Essie’s drugstore one is the best for that price range though.
Matte top coats are more of a special effect than a protective finish. You get better results and longer wear by layering your color under a quick-dry top coat first, then adding the matte on top.
The matte formulas aren’t built like the fast-drying protective ones.