Okay, so lemme tell you about my experience with the essie top coat. I’ve been on the hunt for a decent top coat for ages, you know? Something that actually makes my mani last more than, like, two days without chipping. I’ve tried a bunch of stuff, cheap stuff, kinda pricey stuff, and honestly, nothing really blew me away.
Then I saw a few reviews about essie top coat, and I figured, “Eh, why not? I’ll give it a shot.” I grabbed a bottle of their gel couture top coat because the promise of “gel-like finish” and “12-day chip resistance” totally sucked me in. I mean, who wouldn’t want that?
First things first, I prepped my nails like usual. Cuticle care, buffing, the whole shebang. Then I slapped on two coats of my favorite essie color – a nice, classic red. Let that dry completely, and then, here comes the top coat.
Application-wise, it was pretty smooth. The brush is a good size, not too big, not too small, and it distributed the product evenly. The consistency wasn’t too thick or too runny, which is always a plus. I made sure to cap the edges to try and avoid any shrinkage later on.
Now, the drying time… that’s where I got a little impatient. It wasn’t super fast-drying, but it wasn’t ridiculously slow either. I’d say it took a good 10-15 minutes to feel completely dry to the touch. I even used some quick-dry drops just to speed things up a bit, ’cause I’m notorious for smudging my nails right after I paint them.
The finish, though? Definitely shiny. Like, seriously glossy. It did give that gel-like look, which I was pretty happy about. My nails looked like I’d actually gone to a salon, which is always a win.
Okay, so the big question: did it actually last 12 days? Nah, not even close. But honestly, I wasn’t really expecting it to. I’m pretty hard on my hands – dishes, cleaning, typing all day – so I knew it was a long shot. BUT! It did last significantly longer than my usual manis. I got a solid 5 days with minimal chipping, which is a huge improvement for me. By day 7, things were starting to look a little rough around the edges, but hey, I’ll take it.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Pros: Super shiny finish, smooth application, decent wear time (at least for me).
- Cons: Drying time could be faster, doesn’t actually last 12 days (obviously).
Would I buy it again? Yeah, probably. It’s not a miracle worker, but it’s definitely one of the better top coats I’ve tried. And that shine? Totally worth it.
So, there you have it. My two cents on the essie top coat. Give it a try if you’re looking for something that will add some serious shine and extend the life of your mani a little bit. Just don’t expect it to last two weeks, unless you’re living in a bubble or something. Happy painting!
