Gel Couture

Base: Orly Bonder - Top: Generous coat of Essie Gel Couture 3 layers of Mooncat's Star Destroyer over black This polish is crazy. The disco ball almost mirror-like finish is absolutely stunning and in the right lighting, the Holo can be seen adding little blips of stunning color in the sea of silver. I had to wait for the right occasion to wear this polish, and I felt that Cowboy Carter couldn't have been a better excuse to bust out this polish! Application was pretty easy and even, definitely felt like i needed three costs to get the most opacity, but one coat over black was actually quite stunning too.

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.

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.

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

I had some appointments in town yesterday and there was about a three-hour gap between two of them. I ate lunch. I still had plenty of time so I went into a nail salon next door to treat myself to a pedicure. $65 for a *basic* pedicure. Uh...no. That's outrageous. I can paint my own toenails and spend less than $65 on a really nice foot bath. Forget it. p.s. Invest in a bottle of Essie Gel Couture top coat. I wear it alone and my nails are healthier than they've ever been and the presentation is fantastic. There is a lot to be said for shorter nails groomed with a clear polish.

I was using mooncat’s qdtc but I’ve switched to the Essie gel couture because my manicure will last several days longer before it starts chipping

Essie Gel Couture dries very quickly. No top coat is for sure the issue. If you are already using that as a top coat, just use it right after your last coat and you’ll be good to go!

Seconding Essie Good to Go. It’s the ONLY topcoat I use on my natties.

3 coats + Essie gel couture top coat Blue - BLUE RIZZLER (Holo Taco) Pink - POP ROCKER (Holo Taco)

As in more orange than a camera seems able to capture? I love Essie gel couture in Sheer Fantasy for a light pink soap nails look. Honestly I know it's not fashionable on this sub but I think I'm going to stick with Essie over indie brands now..I love their formulations and colours and don't think I need fancy stuff like holo and shimmer.

Essie gel couture topcoat has been an absolute game changer in terms of longevity for me!!