Getting a manicure is one of those luxuries that makes you feel like you have your whole life together, which is why Essie created the Essie Gel Couture line for at-home salon-like manicures. Going to the nail salon every once in a while isn’t expensive, but it can add up if you’re going every couple weeks, which is why I started using the Essie Gel Couture line.
Doing my nails was a routine that I did every week throughout junior high and high school. My nails always had to be done and I didn’t mind spending hours on them every week, making sure the final product was perfectly filed, shaped and smooth. However, one of my close friends took me to the nail salon for the first time in university and I fell in love with shellac manicures. The polish lasts a few weeks, doesn’t chip easily, and saves you the time and effort of doing your own nails.
I began going to the salon frequently, every month or so, but wanted to cut back and save money. So, I went out and bought the Essie Gel Couture polish in the cult classic colour Ballet Slippers and gave it a whirl.
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Essie Gel Couture Review
Essie Gel Couture is described as “a high-performance nail polish, of luxurious longwear and a fantastic gel-like effect.” The two step process is super easy and doesn’t require a UV lamp. Apply the colour coat and the top coat, and you’re done!
The Essie Gel Couture top coat retails for $10.99 CAD on Amazon and the polishes are in the range of $6 to $12, making it super affordable.
The product itself works well, especially if you want a polished manicure without paying a hefty cost. One thing to note is that if you’re not skilled at manicures then your nails aren’t going to look perfect. The final product won’t look the same as if you went to a salon, but you can come pretty close if you take the time to trim your cuticles and file your nails perfectly.
The Essie Gel Couture product doesn’t use a UV lamp so it’s recommended that you let the polish dry 15 minutes between layers, which means it could take up to an hour to do your nails depending on how many applications you apply. I am not patient and I mess up at least one nail every single time I do my nails because I cannot sit still and wait for my nails to dry. It just won’t happen.
I’m always pleased with the end product after using the Essie Gel Couture polish and top coat, but my nails don’t look at all like how they do when they’re done at the salon. The other downside is that it only lasts about one week before the polish starts chipping. My manicures last about two weeks, but my nails look pretty bad by the time I repaint them.
Overall, the product is worth it if you want a budget-friendly alternative to salon manicures. But, it won’t give you the perfect manicure unless you put the time and effort into making it perfect.
nice review love this new nail color. planning to purchase the complete color of BTS hahaha
That bottle is adorable! I hadn’t seen this before.