Average rating includes incentivized reviews TOPCOAT

Gel Setter Topcoat

A high-gloss topcoat that adds an instant plump, gel-like look and long-lasting protection to any manicure.

    • A high-gloss topcoat nail polish that adds an instant plump, gel-like look to any manicure.
    • Set your nail color and add long-lasting protection to your manicure with this high-performance topcoat.
  • Apply 1 coat of Strong Start Base Coat to reinforce and harden nails.
    Apply 2 coats of essie original nail polish.
    Finish with 1 coat of Gel Setter Topcoat.
  • essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients.

    • essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients.
    • essie is a vegan brand – contains no animal-derived ingredients.

    Full ingredient list:

    ETHYL ACETATE, BUTYL ACETATE, ALCOHOL DENAT., CELLULOSE ACETATE BUTYRATE, SUCROSE BENZOATE, TRIMETHYL PENTANYL DIISOBUTYRATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, NITROCELLULOSE, TRIBENZOIN, BENZOPHENONE-1, DIMETHICONE, CI 60725 / VIOLET 2

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10 reviews with 4 stars.
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15 reviews with 1 star.

overall rating

4.2

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1 to 8 of 107 reviews .
1 – 8 of 107 reviews

Soooo good

8 months ago
It’s the best top coat ever. I live and breathe by this stuff. Use it weekly. My only complaint it is hard to find in my area
type of nail polish usernail art lover

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

The absolute BEST top coat on the market!

9 months ago
I am an indie nail art lover, but also someone who works in surgery, so I am not allowed to wear gel polish or acrylic nails. Prior to finding this bottle, I used Mooncat’s Speed Demon topcoat, which I absolutely loved, but hated how it would get thick, stringy and virtually unusable after just two or three uses. I consulted people in the nail polish community and Essie Gel Setter Top Coat was the name that kept coming up. I bought a bunch of different brands to trial, from Sally Hansen to KB Shimmer and everything in between. Essie was a clear winner and now I understand why. If you like that crystal clear, glossy, plump, hard like glass finish then you won’t be disappointed with this one! It also dries pretty fast considering, and won’t shrink or crack the polish underneath.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Essie glitters or any polish
favorite essie color family?purples
type of nail polish usernail art lover
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Bottle with Box
helpful?

Survives a nurse’s week with no problem.

a year ago
I am a nurse and do not get gel nails for a few different reasons relating to my job, but I still want a manicure that looks good and stays looking good. I wash my hands or use hand sanitizer more times in a day than I can count, and after 3 days in a row, prior manicures were removed after the second day because of how bad they looked. This top coat, when all layers are given a chance to dry, helps my nails survive not only a 3-in-a-row, but my days off as well. Sure, a little chipping happens, but when you use and wash your hands constantly, it’s a small price to pay. 100% recommend this top coat to anyone who doesn’t want to pay salon prices (or doesn’t have the time) and wants a gel finish manicure that lasts.
type of nail polish userregular/average

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Great product!

a year ago
I’ve used Essie gel setter and it works great! My polish has lasted 2 weeks. The other users may have used old polish from their pics. I’ve done that too.
type of nail polish userspecial occasions only
helpful?

Great Choice!

a year ago
Glad I grabbed this. Had to go out for birthday with wrecked nails. Used today, I agree this gel setter changed my entire tude about doing my nails.
type of nail polish usernovice/new user
helpful?

Game changer

a year ago
This top coat is a game changer for me! Regular mani with the gel look- it stays chip free for a whole week, and it also is easy to remove unlike actual gel. I talk this up to all my friends, completely worth the impulse buy!
Q: goes great with this shade
A: I’m a minimalist girl!
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear forwork

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Never fully dries...

a year ago
I really want to love this because it really does give your nails the gel manicure look.... But my gosh, it's like it NEVER completely dries! Maybe it's just me, I don't know. It also creates a lot of air bubbles when you put it over a sheer/jelly formula.
type of nail polish userregular/average
helpful?
response from essie:
a year ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello Sxp89. Thank you for sharing your experience with the gel-setter. Something doesn't sound right with the bottle you have, and we want to understand what happened just as much as you do. 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

Great top coat!

2 years ago
I just wanted to take a moment to give credit where credit is due. I bought this gel-setter topcoat by at the drugstore. I applied two coats over my three coats of regular crème polish. I used it on my vacation nails and my manicure lasted 11 days with minimal chipping. To me, this is outstanding because during my vacation I was in the ocean and the hot tub. I built Sandcastles. I did anything and everything I wanted to do, so I feel that they held up fairly well. So kudos to you Essie!
type of nail polish usernail art lover
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?
1 – 8 of 107 reviews

rating snapshot

Select a row below to filter reviews.
74 reviews with 5 stars.
10 reviews with 4 stars.
5 reviews with 3 stars.
3 reviews with 2 stars.
15 reviews with 1 star.

overall rating

4.2

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9 to 38 of 107 reviews .
9 – 38 of 107 reviews

Great product

2 years ago
It’s a great product! My nail polish lasts longer and my nails look amazing.
favorite essie color family?nudes
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Review photo 1.
helpful?

Loving it!!

2 years ago
I've been using this top coat now for a year, it's long lasting and makes my nails shine and it's long lasting. I've read comments saying it's goopy and thick, I find if that happens with nail polish, place it in the refrigerator, it helps! You can also put a tiny drop of nail polish remover in the bottle to break up any thickness as well, hope this helps!
Q: goes great with this shade
A: All of them!!
favorite essie color family?grays
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

The best top coat ever!

2 years ago
This top coat is super shiny, dries quickly, and extends my manis at least a week. Plus, it actually smoothes out bubbles and smudges. It’s truly the best top coat I’ve ever used! Please don’t ever stop making it.
favorite essie color family?blues
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Stop the chipping!

2 years ago
Essie over the years, you have received chipping reviews after a day or so of use, with nothing activity. I experienced the same. I followed your normal application response to other reviewers. Are you planning to revisit your formula to improve these customer quality concerns? Also, I actually love the gel setter shine.
favorite essie color family?pinks
type of nail polish userregular/average
great to wear fordate night

no, I do not recommend this product.

helpful?
response from essie:
2 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello there Hopeful68! We wish you could see all the results you were hoping for with the gel-setter top coat. Making the perfect top coat is always a work in progress but we wouldn’t be here if the results were always as you describe. When a product fails, we want to know what happened as much as our consumers do. 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

Favorite top coat

3 years ago
This is by far the best top coat. My nails don’t chip and it dries so fast. I take my own Essie to the nail salon. Great stuff! Not sure why some people are giving it negative reviews. One layer and you’re good to go.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Base coat and color
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Berry Naughty
helpful?

Bye bye Opi

3 years ago
I have had the worst time finding a top coat to give a gel like shine without being gooey and leaving with air bubbles. I need to win the lotto now bc I need all the colors you make lol Thank you Essie!!!!
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Quick dry products
type of nail polish userdedicated/loyalist
great to wear foreveryday

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Entire bottle got thick & stringy after 3 uses

3 years ago
I really wanted this gel top coat to work but after a few uses, the entire bottle started getting thick and goopy. It got too difficult to get a smooth finish so I couldn’t even use half the bottle before it was useless.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: Polish
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:
3 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hello there manipedi. Thank you for trying out the Essie Gel.Setter. Something sounds very wrong with your bottle. The gel-setter should be a fluid consistency that flows easily onto the nails with each use. 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

Super thick

3 years ago
I am not sure if I got a bad bottle but mine is thick like honey and stringy. It doesn’t even go on smooth. I would try again maybe but it’s a lot to spend if it don’t work
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:
3 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. Nothing in your description of your bottle of gel-setter sounds right. This clear top coat should flow on easily leaving the nails with a clear, shiny finish and a mani that lasts the week. 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

So disappointed

3 years ago
I am so disappointed I spent any money on this. I figured I would give it a try because I like the polish as a whole and I wanted to give my nails a break after having the professional done. After less than 24 they are chipped and peeling like crazy. I figured with the “gel like finish” it would be sturdy then everyday activities. I’d also like to add I have already repaint my thumbs before this picture was taken. So don’t waste your time or money on this top coat.
Q: goes great with this shade
A: None since I don’t recommend it
favorite essie color family?metallics/glitters
type of nail polish userregular/average

no, I do not recommend this product.

  • Review photo 1.
  • Review photo 2.
helpful?
response from essie:
3 years ago
consumer care center
Hi there Hazel95! We want to understand what happened just as much as you do. The gel-setter should give your nails gel like shine day after day. 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

Great topper that lasts...

3 years ago
I like to paint my nails and toes but struggle with the paint chipping after a couple days. Well let me tell you, it works. My nails on average last almost two weeks after applying the nail setter. I use any nail polish too!!

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Nail setter
helpful?

Nail setter

3 years ago
I love this gel Setter it works amazing is easy to apply as drives fast my nose will a chip they look nice and shiny for weeks the color stays on for a long time I don't have to redo it every few days and after it comes off I like that it dries fast so I can paint my nails in 5 minutes later I'm done and I can keep going

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Looks nice

4 years ago
I tried this gel-setter from essie. I applied the gel and polish as directed on the box. The gel dries very quickly and looks nice. This keep my polish on longer than a standard topcoat, however if you work with your hands a lot or just busy with everyday chores, I noticed the polish would chip / peel. Not quite the same as a gel that is set onto the nail with a nail light. Great if you are wearing it for an event. should last the weekend.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Favorite top coat

4 years ago
Favorite top coat. Been using for almost 2 years or more. I dont like getting dips and gel it ruins my nails but this polish lasts almost 2 weeks and my toes last 4 with typically no chipping
favorite essie color family?blues
type of nail polish userregular/average

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Great shine!

4 years ago
I received the Essie - gel-setter top coat free to review. It did take a little longer to dry and set up as I was expecting. However I really liked how it shined! I was able to have a nice pedi at home without the price tag. I will say, grab a fan or at least have your drink and snacks close by. It does smuge easy so you will want to remain still till it dries! Over all I would say that this 4stars.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Crazy shine.

4 years ago
I bought this last month when my regular brand was not in stock. I am presently surprised with the shine and how long this lasted. My nails look amazing and were able to hold up to the pool and ocean.

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Review photo 1.
  • So shiny
helpful?

It actually works!

4 years ago
I hardly ever wear polish on my fingers because I'm so hard on them. We have a large family, so I wash a LOT of dishes, and a typical manicure NEVER lasts a day. With this Essie topcoat my nails look perfect for days!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Amazing

4 years ago
The Essie gel-setter clear top coat is definitely a amazing top coat. I love how easy it is to apply, it also dries fast.i painted my nails when I got it 3 weeks ago, and it's still super shiny and glossy. Makes me happy when I look down at my hands.i highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an amazing top coat. Definitely worth the money.
helpful?

This make any polish look like a manicure!

4 years ago
I really love the way my hands look with a fresh manicure, but I rarely take the time to spoil myself, except for special occasions! So, when I got this I thought how perfect to have special occasion nails anytime! I am not very skilled at doing my own nails and usually take off the polish within a day, sometimes few hours. But not anymore;) I had my manicure look for a record 3 days before it started to chip so I took it off and did it again! My hands are in water so much that no manicure can withstand it, but I am impressed! It feels so good to 'be all done up' for more than one day and now I do it so often! I have to say there is something about having my nails freshly manicured that really makes me feel more...confident I guess. Even more than when I'm dressed up or with a new hairstyle, I just feel like I got all together ~I grew up in the 80's, all powerful women had gorgeous long nails, so effortlessly and that's what I have with this stuff! I have to say, I am sort of impatient when it comes to my self manicures and it sometimes takes a while for this to get completely dry, even though after about 5 minutes it is 'dry' and can be touched without smudging but not dry enough to with stand much friction without getting nicked up. More often it's dry and set with in 10 minutes and I'm good to go about my day, but for some reason every few times it just doesn't want to dry completely and I just redo it. I find if I use thinner polish or wait a few hours between painting them and using the gel-setter they set much faster and with no nicks or smudges. I am a fan of this easy manicure in a bottle! And how it brought out my inner diva!

yes, I recommend this product.

  • Gorgeous!
helpful?

Pretty good topcoat

4 years ago
Gel nails are so nice and I always want my nails to look nice. I’m pretty hard on my hands at work, so it can be difficult to keep them nice. A gel topcoat keeps them in better condition. Essie gel setter isn’t quite as good as a gel coat, but you don’t use the lamp and all that. It does keep the polish better than without or even a regular topcoat.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Lasts a long time

4 years ago
I put two coats of nail polish on and then finish with the Essie Gel Setter and I must say that I'm impressed! My nails look great and even after a week my nails still look just as good as the first day I painted them.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Time saving!

4 years ago
I hate painting my nails because I'm to impatient and more than not, leave smudges on them before they dry completely! This totally changed my at home manicure game. Dries in under 2 minutes and leaves a true gel like shine on them.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Great finish!

4 years ago
This gives nails a beautiful glossy finish with incredible shine. It really does mimic gel polish! It also helps to smooth out polish that may have dried down a little bit rough. It takes a bit of time to dry though and feels sticky for quite a while after application.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Love

4 years ago
I am in love with this gel setter polish! It adds the perfect amount of shine and it seals my polish in really nicely!
helpful?

Great product

4 years ago
Compared to the other topcoats I've used (Seche Vive, Seche Vite, Out the Door), this is my favorite. It is durable, dries very quickly, and is super shiny. It has the fantastic new(ish) brush which is wider than the original Essie brush. Unlike Seche Vite and some other topcoats, it doesn't shrink and pull back the polish from the edges of the nail as it dries. Like most super quick-drying polishes, the solvents evaporate so quickly that the product gets overly thick and syrupy before you use it all. So be prepared to either toss the last 1/4 of the bottle or add a few drops of nail polish thinner.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Essie gel setter top coat

4 years ago
I used this product along with a pink Essie nail polish and I would say it gave me a little nice shine but nothing earth shattering I would say it just didn’t look any different than applying any top coat nail polish in my opinion.

no, I do not recommend this product.

helpful?
response from essie:
4 years ago
Consumer Care Center
Hi there Roxy! Thank you for trying out the gel-setter top coat. We wish you could see the results you were hoping for. This clear topcoat is made to give your nails a gel- shine. Can be used with any color that takes a top coat.

Gel manicure look is spot on!

4 years ago
OK, so I was super curious to see if this lived up to it's gel manicure claims. I would say it absolutely did! Went on easily and very smoothly. Easy to re-swipe while still wet to correct any areas but also dried fairly quickly. Dried well, was still clear when dry, and just overall easy to use/control. I used 2 coats (letting it dry completely between coats) and it was crazy how well it resembled a gel manicure! That is what definitely gets the 4 stars. However, I wouldn't consider it a 5 star because it chipped so easily! If it hadn't, it would have been a 5 star for sure. Not even 2 days in, the ends started chipping (like big chunks) and taking the color i had under with it. I used it carefully, I wait fully for dry time, and I usually do nails before bed to let it set all night. Still chipped pretty badly. I ended up taking it all off by end of day 2. Not sure how to get it not to chip so easily (wasn't doing anything wild with my nails) but if you can, it's great! I think it would be worth trying, but keep this in mind if you use your hands a lot where it would affect your nails.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Really needed this

4 years ago
Seeing the Essie gel setter top coat came right in the nick of time. I was getting ready to go on vacation and needed to get my nails and toes polished. I needed something that would give me shine and durability on my vacation. I wasn't disappointed with the results my nails and toes looked fabulous and lasted my entire vacation.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

So shiny!

4 years ago
This gel setter nail polish is great. It provides a high shine finish over any color and it looks super shiny and high end. I really love this product as I can’t always make it to go get my nails done, and this gives me the high shine of gel polish without the salon price!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Really good top coat polish!

4 years ago
I'm so glad I got Essie gel-setter top coat. It provides an instant high gloss, gel-like finish. I think it looks nice applied by itself, or on top of a colored polish. This top coat seals in color and provides a sleek, high performance vibrant finish. The result is a plump gel-like manicure. I love it!

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?

Essie for the win!

4 years ago
Essie for the win! Their nail polish is always high quality. It is fast drying & the application is very easy. My nails were good for a couple of weeks. Essie is always my go to! Besides the cutest colors, they have the best quality nail polish.

yes, I recommend this product.

helpful?
9 – 38 of 107 reviews