• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Essie Gel Couture Top Coat

September 12th, 2019 by Karen 13 Comments

essie gel couture
When you love something so much that you have THREE BOTTLES OF IT…

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Nobody puts baby in the corner, and nobody puts bullsh*t top coats on my nails.


I’ve had the time of my life!

Like the ladies who unabashedly carry hot sauce in their purse, I’ve reached that point in life where I bring Essie Gel Couture Top Coat with me everywhere (no, seriously, I keep it in my touch-up makeup bag), including the nail salon.

On the rare occasion that I get my nails 💅 done, it’s the ONLY top coat that I know can withstand all of the obstacles the universe throws in my path — the never-ending deluge of dishes, the ferocious onslaught of words inside my head waiting to be unleashed upon this keyboard underneath my fingertips, and, ya know, toddlers. They always have those Lego blocks that need to be pried apart and My Little Ponies that need their manes braided LIKE YESTERDAY.

Gel Couture is a clear, glossy topcoat originally designed to be used with the Essie Couture Gel polishes, but I’ve recently figured out that it’s an excellent topper for ALL polishes, not just the Essie Gels.

For starters, it’s so shiny that it always looks wet (even when dry), which I love.

The texture’s also thick for a top coat, and I think that’s why it functions like the ultimate armor against nicks and chips.

But don’t get it twisted. It’s far from goopy or difficult to paint with.

I’m not a fan of top coats that you’re constantly tempted to peel off whenever you get out of the shower. Gel Couture, thankfully, relieves me of that temptation!

One coat atop whatever I’m wearing (right now it’s the Smith & Cult base coat and two layers of Essie Angora Cardi, a.k.a. THE BEST FALL COLOR), and five minutes later I have a mani that looks just as fresh after five days as it did on day one.

Super great, and it’s relatively affordable at $11.50 a bottle! You can find it at Ulta and beauty supply stores… I’ve also seen it at Target.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Essie Gel Couture Top Coat / Originally published September 12th, 2019

There are 13 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Essie, Nails, Product Reviews, Unsung Heroes

Previous Post: Notebook Nirvana…
Next Post: Sip, Stay and Play at the New Beauty Heroes Flagship Store in Novato, California

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy says

    September 12th, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    Oh I’m sooo happy to learn that the Gel Couture top coat can be worn and works well with regular polish also! 😄

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    September 13th, 2019 at 5:02 am

    I lol’d at that video! I love cats and Dirty Dancing! I also love the Essie Gel Couture top coat, but I’ve only used it with those polishes. I’ll have to give it a go with the million other brands I have too.

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    September 13th, 2019 at 5:33 am

    I’m an Essie fan myself, though I almost never wear polish (and am definitely way too lazy for base or top coats! HAHA!). PS Wearing rubber gloves to do the dishes will change your life – and help prevent damage to your hands/nails. My mother also wears a pair of thin, cotton gloves under the rubber. You can use REALLY hot water. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Angela says

    September 13th, 2019 at 9:22 am

    Hey Karen,
    Do you need to do anything special with this top coat – and does it dry/cure your nails fast like Seche Vite?
    Thanks!
    Angela

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 13th, 2019 at 9:47 am

      Nope, you don’t have to do anything special. Just paint and wait for 5-10 minutes!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        September 13th, 2019 at 9:51 am

        EXCITING NEWS!! Thanks doll 😉

        Reply
        • Karen says

          September 13th, 2019 at 9:56 am

          You’re welcome!

          Reply
  5. Chelsea says

    September 13th, 2019 at 3:35 pm

    It’s such a great topcoat and the brushes on that whole line are super easy to use!

    Reply
  6. Jan says

    September 13th, 2019 at 3:52 pm

    Thanks for sharing this. I’ve only used it with the Essie compatible polishes. Glad to know I can use it with other polishes, too. I don’t comment very often, but I read all your postings and learn a lot, so thanks for all the information you share with us.

    Reply
  7. Maricar says

    September 14th, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    Hi Karen,

    I just went out and bought a bottle! Do you take it off just like regular polish/top coat?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 14th, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      Hi Maricar,

      Yes, I just use regular nail polish remover. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Alyssa says

    September 15th, 2019 at 9:16 am

    I was just waiting for my nails to dry after painting them with Angora Cardi when I read your post! Too funny. I don’t usually comment either but I enjoy your blog. Thanks for helping me discover the greatness that is Lizzo as well as the perfect top coat!

    Reply
  9. Anne says

    September 16th, 2019 at 5:23 am

    I am a huge fan of Essie nail polish, but I have never tried that one. I need to pick it up asap – my life is filled with the same obstacles yours is.
    Anne recently posted … pixi On The Glow Moisture Stick – How to use it?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

duri when in rome

I’ve Found the Perfect Pale Blue Denim Nail Polish, and It’s Only $8

duri when in rome

This Matte Brown Classic Eye Makeup Goes With Everything

sonoma public library

Road Tripping in the North Bay Area: Historic Sonoma Plaza

aloe plant deck cocobaby

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 661

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 642

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.