Essie Gel Setter Top Coat Review

I am one of those girls who always apply a base coat, 2 coats of colour, then a top coat when doing my nails. Some of my friends think it's too much work but I think it's worth the time and effort, and it keeps my nails look good for longer.

To me, a good top coat should protect nail colour from chipping and provide a good shine. I have found great base coats, but I couldn't say the same with top coats... until I discovered Essie's Gel Setter Top Coat.

I wasn't sure how well it would work so I waited till there was a good sale on at Farmers before I first bought the Gel Setter. To my pleasant surprise, it far surpassed my expectations.

Most top coats, despite promising shine, tend to fade and become dull over time. Gel Setter does fade a little as it's extremely glossy and shiny at initial application, but still keeps my nails looking shiny even after a week or two.

If you like the look of gel manicures but worry about the effects on your nails, I would say fake it with the Gel Setter! It doesn't have the same power as a gel manicure but it's pretty close to the real thing without worrying about damaging your nails, especially if you have weak nails.

Well at least my favourite that you can freely get in NZ and from Farmers no less! This is a top coat of dreams (over dramatic, yes but true in my eyes) it sets fast as a gel coat without the need for any nasty UV light which is bad for your skin. Creating a thick shell like coating to the top of your nails securing your polish nicely.

Wearing polish with this top coat can prolong the life of my manicure for another 3-4 days which on my hands is great and rare treat as I work with my fingers all day long, be it applying makeup on clients, sanitising, household chores or typing on the keyboard so my nails can take a punishing.

Not a bad price either the only downside is it doesn't come in a larger bottle, and I go through this small glass vial of gloriousness in a very short time.

Love this top coat, it's the best. Although... I feel like I've said that about Seche Vite... but this one is easy to buy in New Zealand so it's even better than Seche Vite!

It's got quite a thick texture which spreads really easily on the nail and is almost self-leveling so you don't need to worry about brush marks in the top coat.

The brush itself is wide with a rounded end so you can do the whole nail in 2-3 strokes.

The top coat gives a really shiny hard finish just like gel nails, although of course it doesn't last as long as a real gel manicure. I find it lasts a good 4-5 days if I'm careful but as soon as my nails start chipping or if I pick at them I take them off anyway. Any longer than that and I get bored with the colour too.

This comes off easily too when it's time to remove, and that alone makes it much better than a real gel manicure in my eyes. I want to be able to change my nails up regularly without damaging the surface of them or being stuck with the same colour for too long. So Gel Setter gives me the look of gels without the commitment!

I picked up this beauty from online sale. I always look out for a good top coat to seal in my nail colour.

This bottle is clear you can see the product through it . The labelling on this bottle is eye catching . With application I notice that it glides onto my nails nicely .

Overall I can get a good five days wear before chipping starts . I think it is priced fairly . I would repurchase this again.

After purchasing this top coat, i'll never go back to any of my old ones. This top coat transforms any nail colour and locks it in a beautiful professional looking gel coating. Its long lasting and has a beautiful smoothness and shine to it. I love the way it feels on my nails, it is definitely worth the money!

I’m loving this top coat to pop over the Essie colour. It makes the nail polish look shiny and makes to polish last longer before you have to replace

I love a cute polish but no matter what, I end up with chips - so I brought this prior to my sisters wedding up north as I didn’t want to travel with a polish but wanted my nails painted so needed something to ensure they went the distance.

I generally buy Essie polishes or opi.. I’m a fan of shopping our local farmers so these brands are readily available and Essie just released the cutest peach colour that I had to have.. so I grabbed that and this. I managed to pick this up at 25% off.. and I would only buy on special as I personally think full retail for this is crazy and also that polishes should at least last a while prior to chipping alone so this was just a to ensure it lasted me travel, daily wear, children and then get me through the wedding - which it did.

It is a thicker formula.. not super thick but not thin like water consistency.

Easy to apply doesn’t snag or leave streaks - applies evenly and easily, is quick and doesn’t spill into my cuticles easily so another win.

Dries fast and clear. Doesn’t tint or alter colours and is a super shiny gel like finish. As close to a gel mani at home as possible. I really like the shine from this. It does look like a gel mani without the price tag.. but it just doesn’t last as long either.

Longevity - it lasted and went the distance it got me through to the wedding and beyond. Not as good as a gel mani by a professional but for an at home job it did wonders. No touch ups needed and no travelling with polish.

Would use again as I prefer the shiny gel look but would only buy on sale.

Leaves the nails with a nice shiny finish! Helps with small bumps from the polish before hand. It also makes the polish last longer like a gel polish (not as good as gel though). Not the best top coat I’ve found but still very good