Create a strong foundation. Choose and apply the right base coat for your nails. Try first base base coat for strong adhesion. That said, it’s important to look for formulas specifically marketed as top coats. “Clear coat can be worn alone and is meant to compliment the natural nail; it’s not formulated to protect against chips and peeling,” Lee says. “Top coat, on the other hand, is formulated to protect the nail color from chips, peeling, and fading so you can achieve a long-lasting mani.” Avoid Light. The pigments in nail polish—especially sheer and pastel colours—can shift over time when exposed to light. Be sure to keep your polish stored away from light (natural and artificial). Protect from the sun. Certain polish pigments—especially those found in brighter and neon shades—can fade over time when exposed to natural light. This is why, when you go on sunny vacations, you might find that manicure shades shift slightly during wear. Use no chips ahead top coat, which is formulated with a UV color shield to help reduce this kind of fading. Know your neons. Neon pigments are especially prone to fading. These shades are released as limited edition shades and should be discarded when they reach their expiration.

Protect the nail plate. Always apply a base coat before enamel colour application—this creates a protective barrier between the nail plate and the colour coat to prevent pigment transfer and staining. Essie offers a range of nail care products – from base coats, top coats and cuticle care - each one a champion of a bene fit to help achiever the art of the manicure. For a full list of available care products, please visit our nail care section. essie’s apricot cuticle oil is a cuticle hydrator that can be used before or after a manicure or a pedicure. If used before, be sure to thoroughly cleanse the nail before polish application. apricot cuticle oil should also be used to hydrate nails after polish or gel removal. we did a ton of research and development to ensure that essie gel couture is easy to master. the simplicity of the system, the foolproof streak-free formula, and the precision brush help to make the process easy and surprisingly fun. salon quality & longwear without the UV lamp. chip and fade-resistant color meets suede-like matte finish.The essie care line includes primers, base coats, top coats, finishers, and cuticle care. For a full list of available care products, please visit our nail care section. Start squeaky clean.Thoroughly cleanse the nail with polish remover prior to application. It should be gently scrubbed, including around the sidewall of the nail and cuticle area and under the free edge (oil left under the free edge will cause your capped, sealed tips to chip). These are stainless steel mixing balls to help mix the color and ensure it stays at the right consistency for a fluid, flawless application.

patent meets its match with the essie gel couture matte top coat. inspired by the timeless look of suede, this formula seals in gel couture color with a luxurious, soft-matte finish that makes a long-lasting statement. The finish of the top coat you choose will determine the overall finish of your manicure. So, it should go without saying, but if you want a glossy manicure, don’t opt for a matte finish and vice versa. Matte top coats are harder to find, but OPI Matte Top Coat is a favorite amongst nail professionals and novices alike. Adding a top coat is an important step, designed to seal, shine, and extend the wear of your manicure. However, some essie polishes have unique effects and finishes that do not require a top coat. We don’t recommend mixing different essie polishes together in one bottle—this may result in an uneven formula and bubbles during application. Instead, consider layering polishes to provide yourself with a one-of- a-kind shade. For example, layer sheer shades over opaque or glitter shades to create a customized manicure. Essie’s apricot cuticle oil is a cuticle hydrator that can be used before or after a manicure or a pedicure. If used before, be sure to thoroughly cleanse the nail before polish application. apricot cuticle oil should also be used to hydrate nails after polish or gel removal.These are stainless steel mixing balls to help mix the colour and ensure it stays at the right consistency for a fluid, flawless application. Top coats can carry a number of certifications, including vegan, cruelty-free, five-, seven-, eight-, 15-, and 21-free. Where vegan formulas are made without any animal byproducts and cruelty-free formulas are made without harming any animals, five-, seven-, eight-, 15-, and 21-free formulas refer to being made without common nail polish toxins, like ibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, and/or xylene. how is gel couture different from essie original nail polish? essie original nail polish offers the widest palette of iconic shades. essie gel couture features extra longwear technology that delivers gel-like finish. the gel couture 2-step system is specially designed to magnify shine for an ultra-glossy finish without the UV lamp.