Hey there nail enthusiasts!
Hope everyone’s enjoying the warm summer weather!
I’ve been a little behind schedule with my blogging … so my apologies. In case you didn’t know, not only do i enjoy painting nails, but I’m also involved in the sport of powerlifting & just started adding some Strong(wo)man work into my training as well.
Over Memorial Day Weekend I competed in my first Strong(wo)man contest, probably one of the most challenging competitions I’ve ever participated in & I definitely had a blast doing it! Needless to say, i’ve been pretty busy and haven’t had much time to sit down and blog.
Now onto the nails part…. since ramping up my training i’ve been keeping my nails fairly short. I recently received some samples of a new “long wear” natural nail polish collection released by Essie called gel couture™. A 14 day natural “gel” like nail manicure system without the use of LED or UV lamps.
Essie gel couture™ a 2-step system that anyone can master.
Choose from 42 new essie shades and finish with Essie’s high gloss quick-drying top coat that magnifies shine for an ultra-glossy finish without a lamp!
Available now (June, 2016) Each color sells for $11.50/bottle and are available at gelcouture.com, essie.com, salons and beauty destinations nationwide. I’ve spotted them also at Ulta.com and Kohls.com.
I’m still in the process of trying out the colors. A few of my favorites are Make The Cut a pearlized nude greige. I actually wore this on my recent vacation to Lido Beach, Florida and it lasted me through my vacation a total of 5 days without chipping. I started to notice a little lifting on the 5th day on one of my nails, and I decided to take it off once i returned home.
I’ve been wearing The It-Factor a bright fuchsia from Essie’s gel couture™ Fashion Show Collection on my toes for 2 weeks now and so far no chipping!
The difference between the original Essie Nail Polishes and this new gel couture™ line is the brush and 2-step application. The gel couture™ brush is wider than the normal essie brush, with a rounded tapered edge, designed to curve to the nail to ensure perfect color application.
I haven’t tried this application without a base coat but apparently that’s the way it was meant to be worn.
I really like the new larger curved brush. It definitely makes for quicker and even nail lacquer application.
The new quick dry top coat is also easy to apply and definitely dries within minutes.
You can even use it with your other “non gel” essie nail lacquers for perfect shine.
All and all i would recommend essie’s gel couture™ nail polish.
Here’s a closer look…
Stitch By Stitch from the “Atelier” Essie gel couture™ collection.
Shown with 2 coats, a perfect creamy shade of pink. Highly pigmented with no streaking.
Essie gel couture™ Take Me To Thread – a creamy deep taupe. “Atelier” Collection
Stay tuned for more swatches from Essie’s gel couture™ collections.
If you’ve had a chance to try out the collection let me know what your favorite shade is!
Thanks for the detailed review! You said the top coat can be used on top of regular polish. How does this compare to using both “gel” products together? Does it last a longer without chipping when both steps are the “gel”, or does it look any different?
Can the colored “gel” polish be used without the special top coat, or are they just like other Essie polishes without it?
The gel couture top coat makes your manicure look very shiny whether you use it with the gelcouture line or with regular nail polish. I’d have to say regarding chipping it lasts the same as any top coat. I’m rough on my nails though so maybe you would have better luck. The gel couture polish can be used with any top coat. I like the gelcouture top coat because it seems to last a little longer in the bottle than say.. seche vite. Other than that there’s not much difference.
How do you remove it?
You remove it with regular non-acetone nail polish remover. It’s a new formula that Essie came out with that doesn’t require a base coat and is supposed to last longer than the regular Essie polishes (approx. 14 days). I haven’t tried it without a base coat yet and I’ve found it to last a little longer than the regular polish on my finger nails. As for my pedicure, it’s lasted 14 days no problem and still going.
What bass do you use. ?
Lately i’ve been using Probelle – Nail Maintenance Base Coat. Seems to work just fine. http://amzn.to/2ySafge
with regular non-acetone remover.
thanks