• Sleek bottle of Gel by essie longwear nail polish in shade 'Matte Top Coat' against a clean white background.
Average rating includes incentivized reviews TOPCOAT

Gel by Essie Matte Topcoat

A gel-like topcoat that locks in color and locks out shine for a velvety soft matte finish that lasts.

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4.6

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1 to 8 of 187 reviews .
1 – 8 of 187 reviews
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Not matte

2 years ago
Says it’s supposed to be matte. Definitely not! It’s very shiny.
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userregular/average

no, I do not recommend this product.

  • Review photo 1.
helpful?
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello Marie58, Thank you for sharing your experience with the Gel Couture 'matte top coat'. We want to understand what happened just as much as you do! Matte finishes can develop a bit of shine after using hand moisturizers and oils, but a quick swipe with an alcohol soaked cotton pad will pull any residue off the nails to restore the matte look. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9 am-5:30 pm ET

Good product

3 years ago
A good clear polish top coat. It’s not too chunky and lasts for a while.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

I love it!

3 years ago
I love, love this nail color set I got the mate top coat along with a berry/fuchsia nail polish color and OMG it is absolutely beautiful. One coat is enough and it dries up fast. My girls absolutely loved it and so did I.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

it is alright

3 years ago
I enjoy that this gives a nice matte finish. however, the polish takes a while to dry and it chips very easily.
helpful?
response from essie:
3 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there! Thank you for sharing your experience with the new gel couture matte top coat. We wish you could see all the results you were hoping for longwear top coat with a velvety soft finish. For best results, apply 2 coats of the gel couture color to bare, clean nails (no base coat is used) and top with a thin coat of the gel couture matte top coat.

Not sure if I did it correctly.

3 years ago
I love the look of this bottle, it is elegant and unique. I am not so sure that it can be used with nail polish that is not the same brand tho.. I think that was my mistake. I really liked the application of the matte top coat and thought the after product was adorablely matte but it didn't dry properly and messed up within the first day.

no, I do not recommend this product.

helpful?
response from essie:
3 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there! We wish you could see the results you were hoping for with the gel couture matte top coat. This new formula seals in gel couture color with a luxurious, soft-matte finish. Transform you favorite colors with a velvety soft finish, without the shine.

Love the matte

4 years ago
The matte effect makes your mani look more edgy and it just a change from shiny manicures. I’m excited to try more colors. I highly recommend if you like to switch it up and try new things.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Love it

4 years ago
I hate sitting and waiting in overpriced nail salons so this polish is a dream come true. I wasn’t thrilled the last few times and realized it was because I decided to use a base coat from another company. I will stick with using the product as instructed :)
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Good product!

4 years ago
I used this polish as the second step to the gel couture set. It gives a nice matte finish and is long lasting.

yes, I recommend this product.

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1 – 8 of 187 reviews

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4.6

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9 to 38 of 187 reviews .
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Works wonderful

4 years ago
I've always struggled with clear coats not making my polish last but with this Essie gel clear coat it goes on smooth looks like a gel but lasts so much longer and it easy to take off. My favorite clear coat product!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Gel Top Coat

4 years ago
This gel top coat works very well! It is matte so it doesn't leave your nails looking super shiny, rather just simple and classy. My mom was excited to try it and seemed to like it as well.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

A staple!

4 years ago
I'm a huge fan of essie polishes in general so i'm glad i got this top coat. This makes my color polishes stay on a lot longer and gives it a matte finish. Would recommend if you want your polishes to last!
helpful?

Easy to Use! Perfect Results!

4 years ago
I am very impressed with the Essie Gel Couture Matte Top Coat! This was my first time using Essie- so I am impressed with how super easy it is to apply. When you apply this top coat over your nail polish and really leaves a nice salon quality finish! It have had It on over a week and had no signs of chipping. This really is such a great product!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Great product

4 years ago
I love this product it works wonders on my nails. It kept them super smooth and matte finish.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Beautiful finish

4 years ago
This matte top coat has such a cool finish, I was really surprised at how well it works! It dried very quickly and seems like you can use to turn any polish into a matte finish!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Beautiful.

4 years ago
I got this Essie gel couture matte top coat and I absolutely love it! I paired it with another nail polish from Essie and pit it ontop and it was just gorgeous!! I would definitely recommend. It went o. Smooth. No clumping really and the brush was as well noce!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Okay but not long lasting

4 years ago
I was not too impressed with this matte top coat. I did all the right steps by applying my regular Polish in two coats and allowing them to dry fully. I then used this matte top coat and it was really thick. I tried my best to do a thin coat. Even though I used two thin coats to top them, I still experienced peeling the same day.

no, I do not recommend this product.

  • Matte top coat
helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there! thank you for trying out the new gel couture matte top coat. We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. This matte top coat should flow on easily and should not be thick. This clear top coat locks in color for a velvety soft finish that lasts (matte)

Amazingly durable!! Very matte

4 years ago
As someone who typically refuses at home manis given they don’t last more than a couple days, I was SHOCKED at how well this topcoat worked. I have had an at home mani using the topcoat and gel polish last more than 7 days without chipping- I’m never turning back! I will say though, the matte look is not for everyone. I was surprised that this gave any shiny polish a completely matte look.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Decent

4 years ago
I think this Essie gel couture matte top coat did a pretty decent job. It did make my nail polish look matte but not as matte as I would like. Overall, it was ok.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Great matte topcoat

4 years ago
I love this matte topcoat it stays put and adds some nice edgy style to my nails. Easy to put on and dries down so beautifully.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Works great for a matte coat

4 years ago
Essie products are my favorite- they are great quality and long lasting. I have several nail polishes and always love the colors. This is my first time trying a matte top coat- it works well! It dries fast and goes on smoothly over whatever color polish you choose. Only giving it four stars because I think I prefer the look of a shiny top coat to the matte look
helpful?

Great nail polish!

4 years ago
It’s very long lasting and the matte top coat works wonderfully! It really makes your nails look like a professional did them, which is why matte top coats are the best.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

This is awesome!

4 years ago
Okay this stuff is so good! I just paint on a color and then you can paint this on top. It doesn’t need a UV light. It hardens the polish and tones down the shininess. It’s a very quick process, within a matter of seconds. You can see if curing and turning less shiny. It also makes the color underneath look really good without being super shiny. I’ve had it on for a week already with no chipping or anything. I can’t speak to removing it. I read that regular nail polish will work, so if that’s true that’s even better than going to get shellac or dip and having to remove it. So I would definitely recommend this!!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Looks amazing!

4 years ago
I have been using it for a couple weeks now and it makes my nail polish look so much better!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Love it.

4 years ago
This product works and looks great. Essie is my normal go to brand for polish and this matte top coat did not disappoint! It goes on smoothly and dries relatively quickly but not so quick that you have to fix any mistakes.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Good matte

4 years ago
This is my first time trying Essie. The color I used was one coat and went on super great. The matte top coat was also one coat. It goes on shiny so I was a bit concerned but it dried down to a super nice matte. It’s been a little over a week and I have no chipping yet. Would definitely recommend.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Nice product

4 years ago
Essie gel couture matte top coat is a very nice product. I love that the bottle is unique and twisted. This product has a viscosity that is not too thick but not too thin either . I love that it's a gel top coat that doesn't need to be cured with a uv lamp. The shape of the brush allows for the Essie gel couture matte top coat to go on easy and even across the whole nail. It instantly makes shiny nail polish matte but with a hint of shine. I've tried it with the other Essie polish it came with and with other brands .I have found that it works better and look better on darker colors . On lighter or pastel polish it doesn't look as good . I have Also learned that if you don't spread the Essie gel couture matte top coat evenly it will bubble. Over all a great product. Looks great with some nail art metallic tape on for a modern matte french mani and pedi .

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Essie Gel Couture Matte Topcoat

4 years ago
Thanks to TryIt Sampling, I received Essie's Gel Couture Matte Top Coat in exchange for my honest review. This is a really nice, high quality top coat that dries matte. It's smooth, effortless to apply, and keeps undercoat strong and long lasting.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

I’m in love

4 years ago
This nail polish alone is long lasting. So, I tried the red nail polish by itself on June 19 and it lasted past July 1st. That’s when I decided to refresh my nail polish and add the gel top on it. There’s no chipping no peeling no nothing. I’m in love with. Oh and the shape of the bottles are so chic and trendy. I love it.

yes, I recommend this product.

  • My new favorites
helpful?

Absolutely perfect amount of matte!

4 years ago
My biggest issue with most matte top coats is that it seems to take away a lot of the color. This top coat leaves the perfect about of color while taking away the shininess and I'm OBSESSED. It's also pretty quick drying, only needed one coat, and held up for nearly 4 days without chipping despite going rock climbing, traveling around europe, and being generally pretty rough on my hands. One of the best brands out there, and at this price it's completely unbeatable!

yes, I recommend this product.

  • before the top coat
  • after one coat of matte top coat
helpful?

True Matte Top Coat

4 years ago
The Essie Gel Couture top coat has a true matte finish. I used one coat on a high shine Essie polish and achieved more matte finish however two coats are required for maximum effect.

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Review photo 1.
helpful?

Amazing Product!

4 years ago
I picked this up a few weeks ago and I am very happy I did. This top coat is beautiful and leaves a matte finish. This top coat also dries quickly. I've had no issues with this product at all. I am very pleased.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Works well

4 years ago
I love the way the matte nail polish looks on my nails when it’s dry. When it dries it’s not shiny but it looks amazing with the matte look.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Easy to use

4 years ago
The Essie gel couture matte top coat is average. I found it easy to use and the dry time was on the quicker side, however I did not like the finish it gave my nails. Additionally, after a couple days the "matte" effect started to fade and what remained was questionable. I do actually like a matte-finish nail polish here and there but these looked more satin-matte than true matte. Therefore, while the quality is good and it was easy to apply, I cannot recommend this top-coat over other ones.

no, I do not recommend this product.

helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there! Thank you for trying out the new Gel Couture Matte Top Coat. We’re delighted to hear this top coat covered so well. But we wish you could see all the results you were hoping for. This soft matte top coat leaves your favorite nailcolor with a buttery suede look. During normal wear, moisturizers and natural oils can shine up your matte finish. Apply a fresh coat of the Gel Couture Matte Top Coat to restore the matte look to your mani.

Awesome too coat

4 years ago
I love painting my toenails but I don’t usually go for the matte look. However, I really like this one! The brush is wide and covers the nails very easily, and it lasts a really long time. It’s worked well with different brands also!
helpful?

Beautiful colors, and Matte enough!

4 years ago
I loved the color that was sent to me, a beautiful pink called V.I.Please. I used it on both my hands and toes, and received many compliments. The top coat “01 Matte Top Coat” was good. But, it didn’t seem like it stayed “matte” for as long as expected. If I cooked, I’d get spots. If I did the dishes, I’d get spots. I rubbed it with a bit of rubbing alcohol, it’d go back to matte. Which is why I’ve given 4 stars. I think the polishes themselves are amazing. Great value. Quality. Etc. but since I’m reviewing the top coat, it didn’t quite get a 5 star rating from me.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Long lasting top coat!

4 years ago
I loved this gel couture matte top coat! I usually go for more of a glossy top coat but I absolutely loved switching it up and using a more matte finish on my nails. It dried super quickly and lasted really well on my nails!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Looks great

4 years ago
I put this gel over the top of another nail color. It made it last so much longer. It went on smooth and evenly. The bottle itself is cute and unique. It dried within minutes and looked great.
helpful?

Love it!

4 years ago
I will start off by saying that I'm very satisfied with the gel couture matte top coat! This top coat is great when used with the gel couture nail polish. The product goes on smooth and dries fast! I really liked how long this product lasts. I would recommend!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?
9 – 38 of 187 reviews