Dress in layers. Some sheer and pastel polish shades will appear uneven on the first coat, but will even out for flawless coverage on coat two. Always apply two coats.

Wrap the tips. Cap and seal the free edge to prevent chipping and shrinkage at the tip of the nail. To do this, remove most of the polish from the brush, then tap it across the free edge of the nail. Do this for every layer—base, both colour coats, and top coat. This will “wrap” the free edge of the nail in longer-lasting colour. For very short nails or little to no free edge, capping and sealing may be difficult. 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. Make sure to use the right base coat for your particular look! For example, the gel couture shades require a specially formulated gel-like top coat. Another exception to this is essie TREAT LOVE & COLOUR which has a semi-gloss finish alone and has not been designed to be used with a top coat. Yes. Thoroughly cleanse the nails with polish remover and a lint free pad after your nail prep is complete. Be careful not to touch the nail plates with your fingers or oils will transfer to the nails, shortening colour wear. In addition to making your nails look extra shiny, Minerva says that top coats are protective. “It creates a barrier between the nail color and your daily activities, helping to prevent chipping,” she explains.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.

Correct & protect. If you love the look of natural nails but suffer from staining, apply essie color corrector for nails. This primer optically neutralizes yellowness of the nail and leaves the nail with a healthy glow. 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. 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. To be honest, I'm not the greatest self-polisher, but I can pull off a decent paint job when I'm not rushing. I had a topcoat that I used and loved for years, but even though it dried fast and gave me good shine, it didn't hold up the way that I wanted it to. The first time I tried Essie Gel Setter Top Coat, however, I knew it would be a winner. matte about you is a unique top coat that creates a soft matte finish. To provide a foundation for even application, begin with ridge filling primer, followed by first base base coat if desired. Apply two coats of any essie colour and allow to dry fully. Then finish with a coat of matte about you. No additional top coat is required.

remove gel couture nail polish with any acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover; no harsh soaking, scrubbing or scraping needed. removes just like regular polish.Essie has recently updated the entire care line—offering a more streamlined selection of products that have been optimized for performance. Several products are being phased out as part of this process. For a full list of current care products, please visit our nail care section . Polish removers temporarily dehydrate the nail plate making nails appear drier than they actually are. Rehydrate with apricot cuticle oil at the end of any removal service. If your nails appear dry after repeated polish application, you might benefit from a more nourishing base coat like grow stronger or millionails primer. 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.

Start with ridge filling. This primer helps even out the nail surface, which in turn will help level the polish applied on top. This is especially helpful if you’re using a sheer shade or a chalky pastel. To keep nails looking and feeling hydrated, after a dry manicure, use apricot cuticle oil to rehydrate the skin around the nails. When you finish your prep routine, be sure to thoroughly cleanse the nails—any oil remaining on the nail plate will prevent polish adhesion and shorten polish wear.Consider lifestyle. Nail polish wears differently on everyone. Some naturally experience shorter wear due to nail type and condition, and others have lifestyles that expose manicures to chips and peeling. Here are just a few reasons for chipping and peeling: Matte top coats and polishes can become less matte during wear as natural oils from the skin transfer onto the nail. To refresh your matte look, cleanse with an alcohol wipe. For starters, Kandalec says that top coats speed up overall manicure drying time. Beyond that, Minerva says that, “Top coat is essential to a long-lasting manicure. Not only does it help it last longer by encapsulating the color, but it provides a glossy outer coating that’s critical to finishing a nail look. Your manicure will lose its longevity if you do not add top coat.” Base coats and top coats are created with the a specific colour formula in mind. For optimal wear and shine results, use essie base and top coat with essie colour. While some other brands’ formulas may be compatible with essie, results are not assured. 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.