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The long-lasting nail polishes that could replace your weekly manicure

Here’s what our Review Crew® thought of Essie’s gel nail polishes

By Kate Niven

Beauty Crew Beauty Writer / September 12 2017

Here’s what our Review Crew® thought of Essie’s gel nail polishes

By Kate Niven

Beauty Crew Beauty Writer / September 12 2017

Here’s what our Review Crew® thought of Essie’s gel nail polishes

The product

We all love the results a salon manicure delivers, however regularly having our nails done professionally is unrealistic for most. That’s where Essie’s Gel Couture 2-Step System comes in. The new gel nail polish range works to easily coat nails, creating a long-lasting, quick-drying and high-gloss finish in shades that are perfect for all occasions.

Our panel of Review Crew® testers put Essie Gel Couture Nail Polishes and Essie Gel Couture Top Coat to the test.

The panel

Beauty Crew sent Essie Gel Couture 2-Step System to women aged between 18 and 35 who want flawless nails for all occasions.

The lowdown

Here’s what the Review Crew® loved about Essie gel nail polish and top coat duo:

How opaque the nail colour formula was: The majority of the Review Crew® testers loved how opaque the nail polish was, with many pleased that only two thin coats were needed for a smooth and colour-saturated finish. They also commented on how easy the brush made applying both the colour and top coat due to its flat and wide bristles.

How quickly the polish dried: Testers were quick to compliment how fast-drying both the nail polish and top coat were, with many reporting that both polishes dried within five minutes.

How long the polish lasted: Reviewers were also happy that both products lasted for a week and beyond without chipping or peeling.

The verdict

Trialled these products and I must say, I am super impressed with the staying power, chip resistance and colour pay-off. The top coat makes this a stellar duo, too. I really feel like, with quality this good, you would go to the effort of home nail painting a lot more, but have to do it less frequently! Win-win!

Danielle

Review Crew® member

I love Essie's Gel Couture range. The brush made it easy to apply and it lasted a lot longer than my other nail polishes. You definitely need to use it with the platinum grade finish top coat but together they make your nails unchippable!

Lottie

Review Crew® member

I used the Essie gel top coat with the matching nail polish and loved the results. This gel sets the polish beautifully to make it last. My polish had a lovely shine and didn’t chip at all, lasting for ages. I used to pay for a gel polish to be done professionally [but] this is a great way to save money and do it yourself, as the results are terrific.

Debbie

Review Crew® member

In addition to the gel nail polish range, our Review Crew® testers also received Essie 3-Step Core Colour Regimen.

The product

Essie’s Core Colour Regimen works to ensure maximum results from your home manicure with its three-step system. The regimen includes Essie Grow Stronger – a strengthening nail treatment formulated to prevent chipping, splitting and breakage; Essie Colour Range – an opaque nail polish that creates a salon-quality manicure at home (reviewers were all sent the shade Lady Like); and Essie Good To Go – a quick-drying top coat that sets nail polish quickly and leaves nails shiny.

The lowdown

Here’s what the Review Crew® loved about Essie’s 3-Step Core Colour Regimen:

How strong the base coat made their nails: Reviewers were pleased at how strong and healthy the base coat made their nails feel after only one week of use.

How opaque the nail polish was: Testers were also quick to comment on how opaque and long-lasting this nail polish formula was, with some manicures lasting well over a week.

How quickly the top coat dried: Most members commented on how quick the top coat dried, enabling them to get on with their day without the fear of smudging or ruining their manicure.

The verdict

I used two coats, although the colour pigment was strong after one. I just prefer the very opaque look. Polish applied really easily with no bumps, also the brush covered almost the whole nail with one stroke! This polish lasted a week. A WEEK. I always chip a nail on the first day of wear, but this lasted through work, gym, cooking, dishes, and everything else. Used with the base and top coat this is my new go-to nail product. I had used Essie in the past but had forgotten how good it was. It was always great, but I am certain it has improved.

Teneal

Review Crew® member

Want to know more about what our Review Crew® had to say about these nail essentials? Read all the reviews for Essie’s Gel Couture 2-Step System and 3-Step Core Colour Regimen.

The products for this Review Crew® trial have been provided by Essie to Pacific Magazines’ BEAUTYcrew for the purpose of trial and review by BEAUTYcrew members.

*This average star rating is based on 227 reviews and is correct as of 11/09/2017

Kate Niven

Kate started working for BEAUTYcrew in early 2016, first as a contributor, and was then named Beauty Writer in 2017. She loves picking the brains of the industry's top experts to get to the bottom of beauty's toughest questions. Bronze eyeshadow palettes are her weakness and she's forever on the hunt for the perfect nude nail polish to suit her fair skin. Her words can also be found in Men's Health magazine, and she now works in PR.