Essie

Essie Gel Setter. Nice and thick and leaves a glassy shine.

Essie Gel Couture is my top coat of choice, but I also use the Sally Hansen red bottle QDTC if I need to be done ASAP.

I've been wanting to switch to a new fast drying top coat because I feel like no matter what I do with seche vite or vive, I always get shrinkage!! Is the dry time comparable with gel-setter?

I'm big on Seche Vive (gel-like) and Seche Vite. I actually just bought the big salon size refill bottles. I put Holo Taco thinner in both. They are both very hard-wearing and I appreciate that. I don't have any use for an ultra shiny TC if it's just going to scuff up. I use a peel-off base coat because I change nail colors every other day. I use Essie Gel Couture to repair my lacquer when it lifts up in a flap (I wear long stilettos, so it happens). It dries fast and makes a seamless repair. I keep a bottle in my desk at work.

Essie Gel Couture. If you haven't tried it I highly recommend. At least in the US, you can get it at any drugstore, it dries so fast, and it gives your nails the gel-like finish. I will give an honorable mention to Mooncat quick dry. I used it before Essie and it does dry quick, no matter what polish brand I use. I still use it if I put my first layer on a bit too thick so it is dry when I do a second. I've heard it's a big no, but it works for me.

Essie had a polish called clambake. It may be discontinued.

This is not accurate, Essie Gel Setter is not an actual gel and does not need UV to cure. It dries like any other normal top coat.

Ooooh, Essie magnetics! White crackle! Sally Hansen magnetic! So many assorted treasures! Haul level == expert!

I was expecting way worse. My grocery store is selling Essie for 13.

Essie - first base Mooncat - Getting even Clionadh - psilocin Essie - gel couture top coat

Contrary to OP, the shrinkage I get with Essie gel setter is TERRIBLE. Like the worst of all top coats I’ve ever tried, hands down. And yes, even if I try to be quick about applying, before the last coat of colour polish has dried. The shrinkage with Seche vite, on the other hand, is manageable for me if I work swiftly and keep it at a nice consistency with Seche’s polish thinner.

I love Essie’s treatment products I’ve gotten so far that I use them as base coats and it has helped prevent staining so I will definitely look into the top coats. My local target usually has sales on the nail polishes so I’ll keep an eye out 🤭. Thank you!

My first thought was Clambake from Essie (which was discontinued but ULTA has it for a limited time) or Canjun Shrimp from OPI.

Are you wrapping/capping your tips/edges with all coats (clear and color)? Do you notice it chips more or less with certain base/top coats? I have seen some people saying it could just be not playing nicely with your nails, as everyone is different! I rarely get chips on my nails, but I change my polish every weekend so it’s never on for terribly long. Personally my preferred combo is Essie strong start as a base and Essie good to go as a top coat. I have great results using this combo with a variety of nail polish brands like ILNP, Cirque, Clionadh, BKL, etc.

Gel Couture top coat *does not require light to cure or dry in any way whatsoever* (and contains *no* UV hardeners)