Gel by essie Shiny Topcoat
A gel-like topcoat that plumps nails and maximizes light reflection for an instant glass-like shine.
- NOT JUST PRETTY, BUT TOUGH: Get diamond brilliant color that's chip-resistant with Gel by essie, our 2-step nail polish color and topcoat system that gives you up to 15 days of wear*. No UV light. No TPO.
GEL-LIKE SHINE & FINISH: Our Gel by essie topcoat is formulated with triple shine complex, with a new resin that maximizes light reflection for instant high shine. This high-viscosity formula also provides a plump, smooth surface to maximize light reflection and shine and a durable barrier to protect and prolong shine.
CHIP-RESISTANT FORMULA: All Gel by essie shades are formulated with flex.e gel technology that bonds and moves with nails to resist chipping.
EASY APPLICATION, NO UV LIGHT: First, apply 2 coats of Gel by essie nail polish: no based coat needed. Then, apply 1 coat of Gel by essie topcoat: no UV light. EASY, GENTLE REMOVAL with acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover.
TAKE A BREAK FROM UV GEL: Use essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair to improve visible signs of UV gel damage in 5 days. Then, try our essie alternative to UV gel, Gel by essie. - How to use Gel by essie's 2-step color and topcoat system:
First, apply 2 coats of Gel by essie long lasting nail polish. No base coat needed.
Then, apply 1 coat of Gel by essie topcoat nail polish. No UV light needed. Reapply topcoat on day 7.
Easy, gentle removal with acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover. -
essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Full ingredient list:
INGREDIENTS BUTYL ACETATE ETHYL ACETATE NITROCELLULOSE ETHYL TOSYLAMIDE ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL CELLULOSE ACETATE BUTYRATE ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE ACRYLATES COPOLYMER ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE COLLOIDAL PLATINUM [+/- MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR CI 60725 / VIOLET 2 ] D185114/4
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1 to 8 of 2080 reviews .
1 – 8 of 2080 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
Hard glass finish
a month ago
This topcoat goes on so smoothly and dries very quickly. It looks better as it sets and feels hard and durable I can’t wait to see how long it lasts!
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Any of the essie gel polishes!
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.
Badly shrinks
6 months ago
I want to love this. Dries quickly and with great shine but the shrinkage is terrible! I’ve tried different application methods such as applying while color coats are still wet, letting them dry before applying the top coat, etc. regardless, I always cap the nail. It shrinks so badly by the cuticle. I love wearing dark colors and the shrinkage pulls most of the color leaving a pale ring by my cuticle. Have to go back to the Gel Setter.
favorite essie color family?reds
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
5 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there Wannabe nail junky, We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. The top coat should not have any shrinkage. 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. When you call provide your case # 44301838
1 out of 5 stars.
Chipping By Day Three
8 months ago
My nails looked great at first and for about a day or two, but by day three they were chipping badly. I put two coats of color and one coat of top polish on exactly as instructed. I have tried this with multiple colors of this polish. Unfortunately, it does not last as long as advertised.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
no, I do not recommend this product.
helpful?
response from essie:
8 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi Doigger! Thank you for sharing your experience with the Gel Couture Top Coat’. We wish you could see the results you were hoping for. These special effect colors should dry in minutes, we're not sure why your application isn't setting as it should. This Gel Couture Top Coat smooth silver chrome effect can be worn alone as a sheer effect or as a special effect topper over your favorite color.
5 out of 5 stars.
Love the gloss and how it dries quickly
9 months ago
Love using as a top coat. Gives a beautiful gloss to my polish and dries quickly. The packaging is unique from the standard nail polish bottle. It’s long lasting and in my opinion helps keep the polish stay on longer. Overall a nice top coat.
Originally posted on influenster.com
1 out of 5 stars.
new formula is TERRIBLE
9 months ago
I loved their old formula - it was fast, quick, and fabulous. I have used it for years. The new formula WILL NOT DRY. It is TERRIBLE and sticky and the WORST. I am returning mine and trying something else.
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
helpful?
response from essie:
9 months ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi NicolePPPPP! Thanks for reaching out to us regarding Gel Couture Top Coat. We're sorry to hear that you were not satisfied with this product. Your comments will be share with our teams.
3 out of 5 stars.
stains nails
a year ago
it's good but for some reason it allows for the polish on the nails to get dirty and I use essie gel couture polish and notice that when I use the light colored polishes with this topcoat then my nails get stained easily
type of nail polish usernail art lover
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello blueburrd! Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Essie Gel Couture Top Coat. We understand you're experiencing staining on your nails, especially with lighter polish shades, despite using the top coat. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and will share your comments with the appropriate teams.
4 out of 5 stars.
High quality product
a year ago
Essie has always been a solid brand and these gel polishes are no different. Long lasting and easy to apply. Doesn’t take long to dry and looks great.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great shine!
a year ago
Although this is not something I will ever wear on my fingernails…it certainly will be a staple on my toes! Has a really great high shine and I had no issues with chipping after wearing it for a good month or so.
Originally posted on influenster.com
1 – 8 of 2080 reviews
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9 to 38 of 2080 reviews .
9 – 38 of 2080 reviews
most recent
5 out of 5 stars.
Good
a year ago
Thought this top coat was really good. I honestly don't really use top coat very often but think this a product I would use again the future. Made the polish last a long time and resisted the chipping.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
A classic!
a year ago
The shine of my manicure with this top coat is unmatched! Looks like I went to the salon, and it lasts for a long time! Love the packaging it’s very sturdy
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Good
a year ago
This dries pretty quickly. There’s no I’ve lamp needed to cure so that’s little meh I feel like this would’ve made the drying time cut down shorter.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
My new favorite top coat
a year ago
It adds a vibrant touch whether you're at the beach in summer or at a fall gathering. The glossy finish gives your nails a polished look. The formula is smooth and easy to apply, and the brush ensures an even coat without streaks. One coat is good, but two coats really bring out the color. It dries quickly, which is great for busy people. It lasts well with minimal chipping after a week, and the shine stays. Using a good top coat can make it last even longer and keep that glossy look.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Shine
a year ago
I had the opportunity to try the Essie fingernail polish in the 404 Dopamine Rush with Top Coat thanks to Influenster and Essie. First off, the color is just beautiful. The polish also dries fast. The top coat leaves the perfect shine.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Clear as Glass
a year ago
Perfect addition to the first coat! It protects the first steps color completely and leaves a finishing shine like no other. There's no strong chemical scent that overpowers the room either. All in all, a great product!
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
A must have
a year ago
The perfect gel top coat. Applied very smooth and easily. Such a beautiful shine. Was very durable and lasted about as long as my salon manicures. Didnt chip. Dries quickly.
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Not bad
a year ago
Not bad I liked it especially the blue one all I had to do was paint it (too more than one step and of course I made mistake but still ) it was still good
Originally posted on influenster.com
4 out of 5 stars.
Good as usual
a year ago
Essie is a classic nail polish brand for a reason. It is good quality like all their other polishes. Long lasting and pretty colors. It is chip resistant as well.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great top coat
a year ago
Essie has a wide range of great nail polish colors. They are so easy to apply and dries really fast. This top coat is also great. It also doesn’t have a strong scent as most nail polishes do.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Like it
a year ago
I don’t know why I thought this would be white lol, but this is a good top coat it goes on so smooth and give that shiny look. It does smell a little strong but that goes away pretty quickly
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Inexpensive luxury
a year ago
Essie’s top coat is a solid, budget-friendly choice. While it has a faint smell, it’s easy to work with thanks to its thicker consistency. It glides on smoothly, leaving a beautiful, glossy finish that enhances the color beneath. For the price, it offers excellent shine and durability, making it a great addition to your nail care routine.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Essie
a year ago
Easy to use. It’s been three weeks and the color is still in great condition and I am always get my hands dirty so and it’s still shining and looks great and has not chipped.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Amazing shine
a year ago
The finish is amazing. The color is so rich, easy to apply , drying time is less than a minute. Shine is great, no chipping in a week. Totally buying it again.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Dries quickly
a year ago
Essie’s Gel Couture nail polish in the shade “Dopamine Rush” is a beautiful teal-green color. It’s a bit bright for my everyday tastes but I really liked the formula so I ended up purchasing the same polish in 2 other colors. The polish was easy to apply but best part is how quickly it dries! I don’t have time to sit and wait 30min+ for my nails to dry. So many formulas claim to be “quick drying” but will still mess up over an hour later. I had no problems with this polish drying. It claims to last 14 days, with the top coat I was able to get ~7 days of wear, but I’m really hard on my nails so a week of chip-free wear is impressive. Overall I’d recommend Essie’s Gel Couture system, especially since I’ve already purchased more colors.
I received this product in exchange for my honest review.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
So Shiny and Long Lasting
a year ago
I received this item for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm not the best at doing my own nails, and when I do them at home, they never really last long. I even have a UV light for gel nail polish, but that polish usually lasts me a day if I'm lucky. So I was skeptical when I received the Essie Gel Couture polish and top coat. This top coat is amazing! It dried in no time flat, and my nails lasted almost two weeks. I think if I were to have used dishwashing gloves, they would have lasted longer. Paired with the amazing color Fuel Your Life, my pink nails looked so cute! It goes on easily, and it lasts. My nails were shiny the entire time I wore the polish which never happens with other brands.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
It’s okay
a year ago
The drawing time the shine was really good. The application technique was really good as well and it really didn’t smell like much but I really do think it worked.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great gel polish
a year ago
This gel polish is amazing it dries fast it shines great and it is easy to use! I am a diy type of person and love to do my nails all the time I would definitely recommend this product
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great shine!
a year ago
I received this item for free in exchange for my honest review - all opinions are my own. This is definitely one of my favorite top costs! It goes on easily and immediately smooths out for an enameled gel-like look. Paired with Essie’s Gel Couture color in “New Highs” made for a fun and vibrant look. Plus my nails were still looking nice a week later, which is not the norm for me and manicures. It’s a great combo and I would definitely recommend it for anyone who doesn’t want the fuss of gel!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great finish!
a year ago
This top coat is perfect and could be used on any type of polish or manicure. I love that it actually goes on clear and you cannot tell if you put a thick layer on over your color. It doesn’t have much of a scent and dries quickly.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
It cool
a year ago
I wish this came with instructions. Is it just like a regular polish? Do I need to use a light or anything with it?? I do like the brand Essie tho *shrugs*
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Game changer!!
a year ago
Not to be dramatic but this is the best clear coat I’ve ever used. It’s super shiny, my nails look wet and I love it. It’s very sturdy too. I use glue on nails and paint them and they hold so well using this top coat. It’s a great consistency and doesn’t have the worst smell. I will definitely purchase this again!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Chef's kiss
a year ago
This top coat is the perfect top coat adding shine and protection to the absolutely stunning color. The brush is the absolutely perfect size, and provides such a smooth application. I will absolutely be purchasing this in the future!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great product
a year ago
The Essie Gel Couture Top Coat is a game-changer for at-home manicures. It delivers a high-shine, gel-like finish without the need for a UV lamp. The formula glides on smoothly, drying relatively quickly, and helps extend the wear of nail polish while preventing chipping. Paired with the Gel Couture color line,
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Love this!
a year ago
I am really bad at doing my nails. I mean like really bad. This gel top coat is amazing. I've used it with the other nail polish products from this brand. I've used this top coat with other nail polish products. It does an amazing job. Stays on my nails for several weeks. Dries really fast. Is a great product.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Very shiny and dry quickly
a year ago
Very shiny topcoat, does not chip, and drives very fast. I am very pleased with this product. It does have a bit of an outer at first, but it dissipates very rapidly. Overall, I am very pleased with the Essie topcoat. Other top coats are very tacky. This is not. It stays shiny the entire time until I take it off.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Love it, works great
a year ago
I really like this clear coat it dried quickly and kept my nails sealed decently long like at least a week but you're supposed to reapply and I forgot to do that. Love it, worked great.
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Great
a year ago
This top coat is great. It gives my nails and polish so much shine as a true gel polish does. Does not have a strong scent. Easy to apply. My nails last longer without chipping with this top coat.
Originally posted on influenster.com
3 out of 5 stars.
I’ll try it again but…
a year ago
I was super excited to receive the Essie Dopamine Rush Gel Polish and Top Coat from Influenster to try. I used it like I would a typical polish and while I have to get better at doing my nails, the color went on easily and I loved the color pay off. I applied a little more than two coats to get the depth of color I wanted before applying the top coat. Now, the polish didn’t come with instructions so the next part may be due to user error - I did have a little chipping within two days of use but didn’t try to remove the polish for several days because I really loved the color! When removing with nail polish, all of my nails were stained right cross the middle. I literally had to lightly buff my nails to remove it. I will use it again with the cuticle prep and following the instructions on the website this week to see if it eliminates chipping and stains but I really love this green!
Originally posted on influenster.com
5 out of 5 stars.
Long lasting top coat
a year ago
I love Essie nail polishes and the gel-couture line just makes me love them even more! The base color applies on nicely, and it is great that I do not have to subject my fingers to the harsh LED lights for curing. But I still get long lasting results with the top coat that dries quickly!
Originally posted on influenster.com
9 – 38 of 2080 reviews