Good to Go Top Coat
A top coat that provides nails with a protective, high-gloss, brilliant finish without the wait.
-
RAPID FAST-DRY FORMULA: A high-speed top coat designed to accelerate drying time, setting your manicure in seconds so you can get back to your day without the wait.
BRILLIANT HIGH-GLOSS FINISH: Delivers an instant, crystal-clear shine that enhances the color vibrancy of your nail polish for a professional, freshly-painted look.
SMUDGE-PROOF PROTECTIVE BARRIER: Shields your wet manicure from smudges, dents, and sheet marks while creating a durable surface that resists daily chipping.
SMOOTH, STREAK-FREE APPLICATION: Self-levels perfectly over your nail color to smooth out brush strokes and create an even, flawless surface.
CLEAN VEGAN FORMULA: 100% vegan formula containing zero animal-derived ingredients, providing rapid, salon-quality protection safely.
Key Features:
This product comes in a glass bottle within a carton:
Size: 0.46 ounces
Product Description: Depth: 1.34" Width: 1.88" Height: 3.54"
Product Form: LiquidNAIL TYPE: This nail treatment is perfect for anyone looking for fast dry + shine.
-
Base Prep: Apply 1 coat of essie Strong Start Base Coat to clean, bare nails to reinforce and harden.
Apply Color: Apply 2 thin coats of your favorite essie original nail polish color. Let dry for 2 minutes.
Speed Dry: Finish with 1 coat of Good To Go Topcoat to instantly speed up drying time, lock in color, and add brilliant shine.
-
essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Full ingredient list:
BUTYL ACETATE, ETHYL ACETATE, CELLULOSE ACETATE BUTYRATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, TRIMETHYL PENTANYL DIISOBUTYRATE, ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER, BENZOPHENONE-1, DIMETHICONE, CI 60725 / VIOLET 2
Good to Go Top Coat Frequently Asked Questions:
- No. Unlike older fast-dry formulas that could be brittle, essie Good To Go is engineered with advanced, flexible polymers. It creates a durable, chip-resistant shield that protects your nail color from daily wear and tear while maintaining its brilliant, high-gloss shine.
- The difference is your primary manicure goal:
Choose Good To Go if your priority is speed. It is a lightweight, ultra-fast drying formula designed to get you out the door immediately without smudging.
Choose Gel Setter if your priority is look and volume. It is a thicker, plumping formula designed to give your manicure a cushiony, 3D gel-like look, which takes slightly longer to dry than a dedicated quick-dry topcoat. - You can find this top coat at most major beauty retailers include: Amazon, Ulta Beauty, Walmart, Target, Walgreens and CVS.
reviews
Customer Images and Videos
Filter Reviews
- satisfaction
- purchase
- color
- disappointing
- price
- thickness
- results
- returns
rating
type of nail polish user
great to wear for
age
skin tone
where do you use essie?
locale
1 to 8 of 109 reviews .
1 – 8 of 109 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
Love Easie
9 months ago
I have been using Essie polish for 29 years it’s my only polish I even took it to Italy when I had my nails done e! It last on my natural nails 10 days without chipping!
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Any
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Do not recommend at all.
a year ago
My first time buying SE nail polish. This topcoat completely peeled off all my nails after one day.!!
This is not normal. Something is wrong with the product.the polish at the Dollar Tree is better.
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi Glor375! Thanks for reaching out to us regarding Essie Good to Go. We're sorry to hear that it chipped so quickly and will share your comments with our teams.
1 out of 5 stars.
Doesn't Dry
2 years ago
I love Essie nail polish, both the regular formula and Gel Couture. I have always used SV fast dry top coat with all my polishes, but decided to stray and try Good to Go. Nope. It didn't dry and I could tell it wasn't going to dry any time soon. I immediately went for the remover and took it all off. I added it to my box of Misfit Polishes. :-(
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello Jcb24! We are so sorry to hear that our 'good to go' top coat did not dry on your nails. That's the opposite of what we would expect! This should be a fast drying finish. We would like to help you in the best way that we can. Please call us at 866 313 7845 MF9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET and provide the reference number 32644580. We look forward to sparking with you!
5 out of 5 stars.
The only top coat i will buy
2 years ago
This is my go-to top coat!! the surface dries very quickly, and is the only top coat i’ve found to dry entirely without getting any wrinkles, chips, smudges. previous coats i’ve used will wrinkle even two days later, this one completely dries within 30 minutes!! the glossy shine makes my nails so beautiful and complete. definitely the best top coat around
Q: goes great with this shade
A: here to say base coat
favorite essie color family?grays
type of nail polish usernail art lover
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
love-hate relationship
3 years ago
For someone that's really impatient and clumsy (like me) or someone who repaints every few days this is great, except it definitely discolors and turns yellow quickly. I painted my nails Saturday, it's Tuesday and it's turning. It seems like it's just from light wear, I haven't used harsh products with them and don't smoke. Not a big deal since I change color so regularly, but still frustrating.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
response from essie:
3 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello giggy8776! Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about our good to go top coat. We are surprised to hear it discolored with wear and want to understand what happened just as much as you do. It should provide clear a protective, high gloss, brilliant-looking finish that stays clear. 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
1 out of 5 stars.
no shine
3 years ago
no shine. chipped in a day. not good. do not recommend. want my money back
type of nail polish userprofessional
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
3 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. The Good To Go rapid dry top coat should dry quickly, with plenty of shine and should keep your nail color from chipping. 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
1 out of 5 stars.
Useless Top coat!
4 years ago
After not being able to find the Essie Good to Go top coat with peach writing on the bottle that has always worked brilliantly, I bought the new formulation with green writing. This stuff does NOT work! I didn't make it through the day without chips and I used to make it over a week! I thought maybe it was the polish, so I tried 2 other shades of Essie polish. Same result! I'm so disappointed and will try to find another top coat!
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello there CKB1! We can see this wouldn’t be the result you were hoping for…We are so sorry to hear that your last purchase of 'good to go' top coat did not give you the same great results you're used to with this fast drying top coat. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, please call us at 866-313-7845 M-F 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET.
1 out of 5 stars.
No stars - disappointed
4 years ago
My favorite speed setter has been discontinued/unavailable? And I picked this up at Target. So disappointed by the quality of this product. I tried it once and thought maybe I didn't let my nail art dry enough before applying top coat because it smeared everything. So today I tried again, made sure nails were completely dry, and applied this top coat and the red smeared everywhere and then deposited into the good to go brush. Please tell me what I should use for my setting/quick dry over my nail art because this is not it. First product by essie I have been disappointed by. Can I even return to Target?
Q: goes great with this shade
A: none
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello Chrissy37, Thank you for sharing your experience with the good to go top coat. We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. Once your nail enamel is dry, which should only take a few minutes, your top coat should not smear or transfer your nail color. We don't know why your top coat did this but perhaps you will do better with the gel-setter top coat. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845 M-F 9:00 am – 5:00 pm ET
1 – 8 of 109 reviews
Customer Images and Videos
Filter Reviews
- satisfaction
- purchase
- color
- disappointing
- price
- thickness
- results
- returns
rating
type of nail polish user
great to wear for
age
skin tone
where do you use essie?
locale
9 to 38 of 109 reviews .
9 – 38 of 109 reviews
most recent
1 out of 5 stars.
Looked great, never dried
4 years ago
I bought this in hopes it would give a better shine to the pink essie polish and base coat I already had. I've used the pink alone with two coats and 30 min dry time between coats with zero problems. It typically stayed for 3/4 days before wearing off so I thought the top coat would help it stay longer. I applied the polish exactly as before and waited a full hour after the second coat of color to apply the top coat. I touch tested the color and made sure it was fully dry before applying top coat. I applied top coat on one hand. After an hour, it still wasn't dry and when I tested it, everything was wet and the all the polish came off as if the color layer was fully wet. I draped a paper towel on the nail and all the polish stuck to the paper and came off the nail. The other hand, without top coat, was still fine a day later. I've tried again on one nail waiting for the color coats to dry overnight before applying the top coat and same effect. It's as if the top coat re-wets the color polish and just never dries. Top coat works as a polish remover. Very disappointed with the top coat of SAME brand would interact this way with polish.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: none
favorite essie color family?corals
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello there. We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. The Good To Go top coat should dry in minutes. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
2 out of 5 stars.
peels off every time :(
4 years ago
Bought this to use with my Essie polish. It applies nicely, but after a day or less, the entire thing peels and falls right off. I don't know what I could be doing wrong--this is the only brand I've had this problem with, and it happens every time I try it again.
Gave 2 stars just because it's so easy to apply.
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello kay22! We wish you could see the results you were hoping for with the good to go top coat. This quick drying, high gloss top coat should certainly help to keep your mani looking great and should not peel. We wish we knew why your nails were not holding on to the top coat. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
5 out of 5 stars.
geat top coat!!!
4 years ago
I have bees using "good to go" for about a year. I love how fast it dries. It makes my polish super shiny. My nails look professional with this awsome product.
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
great top coat
4 years ago
painted my nails around 1 pm, went to work at my barn from 4 till 8 and the top coat/polish didn't chip at all :) would def recommend
type of nail polish userregular/average
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Perfection in a bottle!
5 years ago
I discovered this gem and haven’t returned to the nail salon since! I’ll choose this over gel nails any day! Two coats of Fiji and two coats of this top coat, within 15 minutes I’m literally “good to go!”
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
1 out of 5 stars.
Polish peels right off nail
5 years ago
I’m having such bad experiences with this top coat. Yes it dries quickly but it chips very next day and then the polish peels off nail in one piece! I use essie smooth-e as a base coat and essie lacquer. My nails were clean and dry prior to application. I’ve used this top coat for at least 5 manicures and I get the same result each time. I’m not sure why I keep trying.
favorite essie color family?grays
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
5 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there Jo! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. The good to go top coat provides a protective, high gloss, brilliant-looking finish without the wait. Use with any essie enamel polish. You’re mani should be good for at least a week once dry. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
3 out of 5 stars.
Good results but it thikens inside the bottle
5 years ago
I like the result of the product when the bottle is new. This is my second time purchasing it, and again I'm unable to finish the bottle (with almost 1/2 of it inside). On the bottle it says that it is supposed to expire 24 months after opening. Mine has a bit more than 12 months and I can't use it already :(
favorite essie color family?metallics/glitters
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
5 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there Sofiaalves9! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. The good to go top coat should last for 2 years after opening when stored at normal room temperature. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
5 out of 5 stars.
Obsessed with this top coat
5 years ago
I have never been more satisfied with doing my own nails. I feel like they look professionally done, and I don’t have to worry about them not being completely dry. I’ve tried other brands where the paint literally takes all day to dry, and then when I go to sleep and wake up the next morning they’re ruined. This polish dried in under an hour, and they look really glossy even after washing and doing stuff around the house.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Any
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish userspecial occasions only
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
2 out of 5 stars.
Total disappointment
6 years ago
I really like how this top coat helps your polish dry quickly and shine, but today is the second day in a row I have painted my nails only to find chips hours later. I applied a base coat- let it dry, one coat- let it dry, second coat- let it dry, then top coat. Same results different polish colors so I can’t even blame the lacquer. I feel like the polish would have lasted longer without this product.
favorite essie color family?blues
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
6 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there Justme123! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do...This top coat provides a protective, high gloss finish without the wait, protecting your nail color for longer wear. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
3 out of 5 stars.
Orange tips?
6 years ago
I have now used this product twice with two lighter blush colors and each time by the second day, the tips of my nails seems to be taking on an orange tint. I’m really confused what is causing this. The first time, I had washed dishes with tomato sauce so even though that didn’t make sense, I assumed maybe the sauce stained them. The second time, they haven’t been exposed to anything that could have caused this. it started within 24 hours. I think I’m going to have to try a new top coat. Bummer!
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
6 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there SthrnEl! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do...The good to go is a clear, high gloss top coat made to seal the nail color and extend the life of your manicure. If you would like to speak to us directly about your recent purchase, give us a call @ 866-313-7845
5 out of 5 stars.
Dries fast with glass like shine
6 years ago
I just bought and I'm amazed by how incredible this top coat is. Shines like glass. Looks wet. I love this.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Makes all polish look expensive
favorite essie color family?corals
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Great product
6 years ago
I love this top coat — it goes on very smoothly and dries quickly. I haven’t had any issues with it chipping or smudging! BUT I will say that you need to make sure your color coats are COMPLETELY dry before you paint this on top. If not, my nails never seemed to dry and set properly. I like to add additional coats to my nails throughout the week to help them last, and this polish does the trick! 10/10 would recommend.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
AMAZING
6 years ago
Great top coat for anything. My nails don't keep ANY polish on, but this makes them feel like they have gel and don't chip at all. It dries fast leaves a nice finish, and protects your polish. HIGHLY recommend!
favorite essie color family?metallics/glitters
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
Blows their minds
6 years ago
I bring good to go with me to the salon when I get my pedicure, they always ask if I want disposable flip flops & I hand them this & say nope, just give me a couple top coats of this & I will put my sneakers back on. It blows their minds lol
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
dries fast and glossy!
6 years ago
Since doing my nails is a pretty recent obsession of mine, I’ve yet to invest in a UV/LED light. Without a top coat, I noticed my nail polish would quickly become dull and would show any smudges. After reading just a few reviews of this top coat, I decided to try it out and it did not disappoint! It completely dries in less than 5 minutes, and flawlessly self-evens to look smooth and shiny. If you’re impatient like me and need a no-cure top coat, this is the one for you!
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish usernovice/new user
yes, I recommend this product.
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
Not Thrilled
7 years ago
This top coat was fast drying and seemed to work well over polish, but definitely not on bare nails when used as a clear coat. Just one day after applying to bare nails, the polish started lifting and peeling off in layers. Maybe this is meant to only go over polish?
favorite essie color family?sheers
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there! Thank you for your feedback on our good to go! We are sorry you had this experience. We suggest trying our top coat no chips ahead. This will help with a long lasting application. Thank you!
1 out of 5 stars.
Removes the nail polish
7 years ago
If I make more than 1-2 strokes the top coat removes the nail polish. I have to make sure to get it even with one stroke or otherwise it messes up my nail polish. Really disappointed.
favorite essie color family?blues
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear foreveryday
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there Lydiamg! Thank you for sharing your comments on the polish shade 'good to go'. Feedback from our consumers is very important to us and helps us improve all of our products! We apologize that you did not end up liking this product and appreciate you sharing your experience. We thank you for giving this product a try as we will be passing on your comments to others in our team. We hope you continue using our products!
1 out of 5 stars.
Waste of money. Chips within a day.
7 years ago
I will never buy this brand of top coat again. Ever since the change of formula, this product got a lot 'cheaper' in quality for the same price. When applied, it chips within a day! It removes all the day polish and peels in pieces. It even peels the nail polish that has glitter sparkles on it, that takes forever to remove with acetone. I decided to put it to the test and use Essie top coat on my left hand and sally hensen top coat on my right hand. Of course, the one on my left hand peeled within a day. Im 5 days in, and the polish to my right is still intact. Never wasting my money on this polish again.
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi Jenny! Thank you for your feedback. We are very sorry you had this experience and will be passing your comments along to our team!
3 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
I used this recently after having dip powder taken off my nails. It was ok. It seems like the consistency was way off. It was too thin.
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi! Thank you for your feedback on our good to go. We are sorry you did not end up liking this product and hope you continue to use Essie with great satisfaction!
4 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Love this top coat. Adds a nice shinny coat to your natural nail or to your favorite color. Seems to help polish stay on longer, but definitely not chip proof. Loving the rapid dry, because who has time to wait hours for nails to truly set.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
The Essie good to go top coat coat applies well, and coats evenly, I would give it 5 stars but I'm not a huge fan of the application brush.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Really great for a top coat that lasts and allows your nails to be protected from chips. It also dries somewhat fast which is why this is my go to. Definitely will@be purchasing again. I love putting the Essie oil drops over the top coat to seal it
helpful?
3 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
For the price of this product compared the genetics I don’t feel I can justify it. It’s not a bad product but it doesn’t have a wow factor for me personally. I would not seek this out for repurchase.
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Thank you for your feedback on our good to go. Feedback from our consumers is very important to us and helps us improve our products! We will be passing your comments along to our team!
3 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Honestly after using getsetter, I wasn’t very satisfied with the finish of this topcoat but that’s just a personal thing. Didn’t last very long as well unfortunately and chipped easily. Don’t think I would repurchase for my own preference
helpful?
response from essie:
7 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there! Thank you for your feedback on our good to go. We are sorry you had this experience and hope you continue using our products with great satisfaction!
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
This is a new favorite top coat! It’s a high shine, gel like finish that dries quicker than my previous quick dry top coat.
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
This product is decent. I guess for the price I didn’t find much difference compared to cheaper brands. I probably wouldn’t buy it again.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
This top coat is like the OG for professional nail polishes. Essie never can do you wrong. The polish is always perfect. There are sooo many colors to chose from. And this top coat had a nice shine to top your polish off with. Plus it drys rather quickly which is always nice!!
helpful?
4 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Great finish for a clear top coat. Though, i find if you use reds it will bleed on the brush if your not careful.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
Love it because it’s not chunky, relatively quick drying and easy to use. Typically buy with my other Essie products.
helpful?
5 out of 5 stars.
7 years ago
I really love this product! This is an excellent brand. It gives me a perfect finish! I would reccomend it.
helpful?
9 – 38 of 109 reviews