Ava Monroe
Essie's Gel Setter is a top coat that can be used to create a gel-like manicure at home without the need for UV lights or soaking. Essie recommends using the Gel Setter top coat with its own base coats and nail colours, but some users have found that it works well with other nail polish brands, while others have found that it doesn't. The Gel Setter has a thick consistency, which makes it easier to apply and gives a glossy shine. It dries quickly, but users have reported that it can chip after a few days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Essie |
| Product Type | Gel Setter Top Coat |
| Finish | Gel-like |
| Formula | High gloss |
| Manicure Longevity | ~9-10 days |
| Application | Apply one coat of Essie base coat, two coats of Essie nail colour, and finish with one coat of Essie Gel Setter Top Coat |
| Dry Time | Dries quickly |
| Consistency | Thicker than other top coats |
| Compatibility with Other Polishes | Works best with Essie polishes, but can be used with non-Essie polishes |
| Removal | Can be removed with regular nail polish |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Essie Gel Setter Top Coat application process
The Essie Gel Setter Top Coat is a gel-like clear nail polish top coat that can be used with any Essie base coat and nail colour. It provides a sleek, high-performance, vibrant finish for a plump, gel-like manicure. The Essie Gel Setter Top Coat is a great option for those who want to give their nails a break from traditional gels, as it can be removed with regular nail polish.
To achieve the perfect manicure, follow these steps:
- Start by applying a thin layer of your chosen Essie base coat to your nails. Allow this to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
- Next, apply two coats of your desired Essie nail colour. Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.
- Once your nail colour is completely dry, apply one coat of the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat. It is important to note that you should not wait until the colour polish is dry to apply the top coat. Applying the top coat while the colour polish is still slightly wet can help prevent shrinkage.
- Allow the top coat to dry completely. The Essie Gel Setter Top Coat dries relatively quickly, allowing you to get back to your normal activities without worrying about smudging your manicure.
- Enjoy your long-lasting, high-shine manicure!
The Essie Gel Setter Top Coat will give your nails a glossy, gel-like finish that extends the life of your manicure and prevents chipping. It has a thicker consistency than other top coats, making it easier to apply and providing a smooth, flawless look.
Gel Nails: Filing for Shortening, Possible or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Essie Gel Setter Top Coat pros and cons
Essie Gel Setter Top Coat is a clear nail polish top coat that seals in colour and provides a sleek, high-performance, vibrant finish for a beautiful, plump, gel-like manicure. It can be used with any Essie base coat and nail colour.
Pros
- It provides a natural, polished look and strengthens your natural nails.
- It has a high gloss formula that gives a sleek, vibrant finish.
- It dries quickly, and the polish won't dent if bumped against something.
- It has a thicker consistency than other top coats, making it easier to apply.
- It glides on smoothly and meshes well with whatever polish is swiped over.
- It is 8-free and vegan.
- No UV lights or soaking are required.
- It has a nice smell.
Cons
- It does not have a very thick or plump look, and two coats are required to smooth over textured glitters and toppers.
- The nail surface can feel tacky or slightly gummy for a couple of days after application, especially if the nails get wet.
- It can chip after a couple of days of wear.
- It can cause shrinkage around the cuticle area.
- It may not be suitable for those looking for a very thick or plush gel-like formula.
Clear Coat on Gel Nails: A Good Idea?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Essie Gel Setter Top Coat compared to other top coats
Essie's Gel Setter Top Coat is a highly-rated product, with many positive reviews. It is a clear, gel-like top coat that seals in colour and provides a sleek, high-performance, vibrant finish for a plump, gel-like manicure. It is a great option for those who want to give their nails a break from traditional gels as it can be removed with regular nail polish.
The Essie Gel Setter Top Coat is also long-lasting and helps to prevent chipping. One user review states that they usually get a solid week to a week and a half of wear with the Gel Setter, despite being rough with their hands. The top coat is also noted to dry relatively quickly, allowing users to get back to their daily routine without worrying about smudging their nails.
When compared to other top coats, the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat stands out for its shine and drying time. In terms of shine, it provides a nice, lasting shine, although it may not be as thick or plump-looking as some other top coats, such as Essie's Gel Couture Top Coat. The Gel Setter dries slightly faster than the Gel Couture, allowing users to resume their normal activities sooner. However, users have noted that the nail surface can feel tacky or slightly gummy for a couple of days after application, especially if the nails come into contact with water.
The Essie Gel Setter Top Coat is also thicker than some other top coats, making it easier to apply and preventing dripping. It glides on smoothly and provides a glossy shine that users desire from a gel-like polish. Additionally, it works well with whatever polish it is applied over, without thinning out the colour or causing bubbles, which is an issue with some other top coats.
Overall, the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat is a great choice for those seeking a long-lasting, high-shine finish that dries relatively quickly. While it may not provide the thickest gel-like look, it is still a top-performing option that helps extend the life of manicures and prevents chipping.
Gel Nails: Pain or Pleasure?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Essie Gel Setter Top Coat reviews
Essie's Gel Setter Top Coat is a clear nail polish top coat that seals in colour and provides a sleek, high-performance, vibrant finish for a beautiful, plump, gel-like manicure. It can be used with any Essie base coat and nail colour.
Reviews of the product are mixed. Some people think it is the best product in the world, while others are less impressed. One reviewer said that the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat gives a nice shine that lasts, but it is not the most thick or plump-looking. They also said that it dries slightly faster than other top coats they have used, but the nail surface has a tacky or slightly gummy feel to it for the next couple of days, especially if the nails get wet. Another reviewer said that the product did not meet their expectations, as it chipped after two days of wear.
On the other hand, some reviewers loved the product. One person said that it gives a really glossy shine, which is exactly what they want from a gel-like polish. They also said that it meshes well with whatever polish they swipe it over, and it does not thin out the colour or make it bubble. Another reviewer said that it keeps their manicures in near-perfect condition for 5-7 days, and longer if paired with a high-quality polish.
Overall, the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat seems to be a good option for those looking for a high-gloss, durable finish that protects the polish underneath or makes bare nails shine. It is also a good choice for those who want a gel-like manicure without the need for UV lights or soaking.
Gel Nail Polish on Natural Nails: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Essie Gel Setter Top Coat price
Essie's Gel Setter Top Coat is available on Amazon.com, where it retails for $9.89 for a 0.46 fl oz bottle. Essie describes it as a "high-gloss formula" that provides a "sleek, high-performance, vibrant finish" and a "beautiful, plump, gel-like manicure".
The product is vegan and eight-free, meaning it does not contain the common nail polish toxins formaldehyde, toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate), formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, or TPHP (triphenyl phosphate).
Reviews for the product are mixed. Some customers claim that the product strengthens their nails, provides a natural, polished look, and is a good nail dryer. However, others claim that the product chips after a couple of days and that it has a tacky or slightly gummy feel to it for a couple of days after application, especially if the nails get wet.
One customer noted that the product seemed to have "soaked into" their nails after the first coat, resulting in an invisible appearance. It is unclear whether this is due to the condition of the customer's nails or an inherent characteristic of the product.
Essie recommends applying one coat of the Gel Setter Top Coat following the application of any Essie base coat and Essie nail color.
Gel Nails for Men: A Guide to Fingernail Application
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Essie Gel Setter is intended to be used with Essie nail polishes. However, some users have tried it with non-Essie polishes and found that it doesn't last as long as it does with Essie polishes.
Essie Gel Setter is a quick-drying top coat. It is recommended to let the top coat dry for approximately 5 minutes after applying polish.
A manicure with Essie Gel Setter will last approximately 9-10 days before chipping.
