💅Essie Gel Couture - My Favorite Regular Polish

Let me start by saying this: I’ve never had a good experience with actual gel polish. I tried it once, and it burned my nails. I also had a really bad reaction to it, and that was enough for me to say "NO" to gels for good.

I’ve always stuck to regular nail polish, it’s safer for my nails, and honestly, I enjoy the ritual of painting them myself every week.

For years, I used Sally Hansen polishes. They’re affordable, easy to find, and come in a nice range of shades, but the truth is they only last about three days on me. After that, the chipping starts, and I find myself removing it entirely, still a solid brand, but I needed something that lasts longer.

That’s when I discovered Essie Gel Couture. I paint my nails every Sunday, and with Essie Gel Couture, they look fresh for seven full days, at least that's my experience. The formula is easy to apply, it dries quickly, and the finish looks salon-quality.

And here's a little money-saving tip: even though Essie has its own Gel Couture top coat, I like to keep things affordable so I use Essence Extreme Gel Top Coat instead. It’s budget-friendly, gives an amazing glossy finish, and helps extend the wear of the polish just as well.

Here’s my process:

• Every Sunday, I start by thoroughly cleaning my nails and shaping them.

• Before applying any polish, I wipe my nails with acetone to remove any oils or residue, this helps the polish stick better.

• Then, I apply Essie Gel Couture nail polish directly, no base coat needed.

• I let it dry for about 20 to 30 minutes to make sure it’s completely set.

• Finally, I apply a generous coat of Essence Extreme Gel Top Coat for that glossy, long-lasting finish, let it dry and that's it.

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Let me share some of my favorite Essie Gel Couture shades, because I’ve tried quite a few:

Stitch by Stitch

• This is such a cute pink, perfect for spring and summer. It’s kinda super pink.

Bubbles Only

• A rich, deep red that feels elegant and sophisticated. It’s the kind of shade that makes you feel put together.

Bubbles Only

Dress Call

• A bright lilac that screams good vibes. I especially love wearing this one when it’s hot outside, it instantly lifts my mood.

Dress Call

Princess Charming

• This one is stunning, a rosy nude that feels like royalty. But sadly, it chips faster than the others on me. Usually by the second day, I’ll see a chip on my index or middle finger, it breaks my heart because the shade is just so pretty.

Princess Charming

Paisley All the Way

• A deep purple that gives off serious vampy, moody vibes. If you’re into bold, mysterious colors this one’s a gem.

  

  Paisley All the Way

Matter of Fiction

• It's almost a baby pink, but it can be a little streaky, so you have to be careful during application. That said, every single time I wear it, people compliment my nails. It has that “effortless chic” kind of look.

  

  Matter of Fiction

If you’ve been thinking of switching to a polish that looks like gel but doesn’t damage your nails as much, I highly recommend trying Essie Gel Couture. It might be a bit pricier than a drugstore option, but the lasting power and finish are totally worth it, especially if you’re like me and love doing your nails every weekend.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these shades, or if you have a favorite I should add to my Sunday nail routine! 💅