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Keira Lennox

beauty / Manicure Monday

I Love This Drugstore 2-Step Manicure

01/17/2022
Essie Gel Couture 2-Step System Review, DIY Manicure, New Beauty Launches 2016

This Essie Gel Couture review first appeared on the blog when the 2-step manicure system launched back in the summer of 2016. I rediscovered it at the end of last year, and I wanted to revive this post from the archives!

Here’s the gist: I. love. it. Essie Gel Couture is pricey for a drugstore nail product, but I think the color + top coat combo is worth every penny if you’re comfortable painting your own nails. If you spend a little extra time with an exfoliating hand scrub, cuticle remover and a nice cuticle oil, you’ll get professional-looking results every time. Considering most salon manicures run between $10-20 a pop, it’s a great value for the DIY route. (Find more of my home manicure tips here!)

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish Launch Review in Sew Me | keiralennox.com

Here’s what I love most about the 2-step formula:

  • You can skip a base coat and get straight down to business.
  • It takes five minutes to whip out a manicure, from start to dry (I timed it).
  • The polish applies quickly and evenly with the wider “swirl-stem” brush; apply two coats of color and you’re set.
  • The top coat completely dries to a glassy shine in about about 90 seconds.
  • The shine sticks around longer than any other product I’ve tried.
  • It lasts on my nails for 7-10 days before it starts to show signs of wear.

Don’t just buy the color and skip the Gel Couture top coat! It’s essential for the high shine and long wear time. You can use the Gel Couture top coat with other Essie polishes, but the dry time is substantially longer and it’s more prone to nicks and smudges. (Make sure your color coats are completely dry before applying the Gel Couture top coat.)

Essie Gel Couture Sheer Fantasy Manicure

Sheer Fantasy is my favorite fuss-free sheer pink for a clean buffed manicure. Gala-Vanting is an awesome 90s-inspired raisin/dark wine shade that I love for both manis and pedis.

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TAGS:DIY manicureessieEssie Gel CoutureEssie Gel Couture Sheer FantasyManicure Monday
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The Comments

  • FashionNotFear
    01/22/2022

    Definitely want to try this! Gel polish has always worked so well for me.

    Reply
  • Maite
    01/18/2022

    I love the 2 step sysem by Essie! and alsothat hand creme from lollia is my favorite!! Love seeing in that in your picture

    Reply
  • how to use essie gel nail polish – How to Remove Nail Polish
    09/04/2021

    […] Picture Source:I Can’t Get Enough of This 2-Step Manicure ยท Keira Lennox […]

    Reply
  • how to apply essie gel nail polish – How to Remove Nail Polish
    09/02/2021

    […] Picture Source:I Can’t Get Enough of This 2-Step Manicure ยท Keira Lennox […]

    Reply
  • Sunaina Das
    02/08/2017

    Wow Awesome post ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป.

    Please check my blog on . Hope u will like it ๐Ÿ˜Š

    Best Of Beauty 2017 || DRUGSTORE Edition โ€“ SUNAINA DAS
    https://sunainadasblog.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/makeup-using-new-2017-drugstore-products/

    Xoxo ๐Ÿ˜˜๐Ÿ’—

    Reply
  • saraheymans
    01/25/2017

    They look really nice! I’m hooked on the Sensationail, but I might check out Essie some time :D

    Reply
  • hospitalitygurublog
    01/15/2017

    Im going to have to try these! Looks awesome!

    Reply
  • mary
    01/13/2017

    just ordered this โ€ฆworks great, dries so fast, yay.
    thanks so much.

    Reply
  • CJ
    01/13/2017

    This is great information ,thanks Keira!

    Reply
  • Kim
    01/11/2017

    Keira, after your recommendation in August, I got “Sheer Fantasy” and “Take me to Thread.” I can do my own manicures at a time totally convenient to me. Also, no matter how clean a salon is, unless they sterilize that little bowl for soaking your fingers in, one is at risk for an infection. Regarding price, Dior and Yves Saint Laurent both came out with Gel polish top coats a few years ago…they were approximately $25 a bottle. I tried both of those, and like Essie much better. As you said, the brush makes it very easy to apply and achieve a great result.
    Love your style and blog!

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      Kim
      01/11/2017

      Thank you, Kim!! I’m so happy the posts were helpful for you. “Take Me to Thread” is my next purchase. :)

      Reply
  • mary
    01/11/2017

    ordering now, thanks Keira

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      mary
      01/11/2017

      I hope you love them!

      Reply
  • lotusgurl
    01/11/2017

    I went out and bought Essie after reading your other blog post about it, and I’m in love. I now have almost every color–I just use CVS coupons since it is indeed super pricey. It dries quickly, and I don’t see signs of wear for at least 7-10 days. Remarkable. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      lotusgurl
      01/11/2017

      This makes me so happy! I’m so glad the posts were helpful. :) So, which is your favorite color?

      Reply
  • throughmyrosetingedglasses
    01/09/2017

    oh how nice… i’m definitely going to try this….

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      throughmyrosetingedglasses
      01/10/2017

      Let me know what you think if you give it a go!

      Reply
  • KOMMONSENTSJANE – TWO-STEP MANICURE BY LENNOX | kommonsentsjane
    01/09/2017

    […] via I Canโ€™t Get Enough of This 2-Step Manicure โ€” Keira Lennox […]

    Reply
  • akmakeupaddict
    01/09/2017

    Wow 7-10 days is really impressive for an at-home manicure. Sounds like a great product.

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      akmakeupaddict
      01/10/2017

      I’m seriously surprised/impressed every time I use it. I love how easy it is to apply/remove, too.

      Reply
  • ciarralorren
    01/09/2017

    Thanks for the update! I just got my nails done at the salon and am seriously considering getting this product for the future!

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      ciarralorren
      01/10/2017

      I don’t know what my issue is, but I swear I chip a salon mani by day two EVERY time. It’s definitely worth a try!

      Reply
      • ciarralorren
        Keira Lennox
        01/10/2017

        You’re not alone girl ๐Ÿ™ˆ I’m known for chipping them the same day I got them done haha

        Reply
  • ohthecrownshewears
    01/09/2017

    I’ll have to check these out!!

    Reply
  • Jen
    01/09/2017

    Is it tricky to take off?

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      Jen
      01/10/2017

      Good question! I’ve tried other “gel” products that were a pain to remove. But no, it’s super easy. Just like removing regular polish!

      Reply
  • soulanceblog
    01/09/2017

    I am for sure going to try this! I am typing with chipped nail polish on that lasted only 2 days.

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      soulanceblog
      01/10/2017

      Ugh, isn’t that so frustrating? I’m prone to chipping and peeling, too — I think I have “oily” nail beds or something — so I always swipe a little polish remover or acetone over my nails (even if they’re polish-free) before I get started just to make sure they’re clean and dry. Definitely give it a try!

      Reply
  • drowninginsamples
    01/09/2017

    I love these too! I was skeptical bc of the price but they’re worth it!

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      drowninginsamples
      01/10/2017

      Totally agree! Especially if you take the extra time to prep and make sure your nails are completely clean. I’m so impressed with them and haven’t used any of my other polishes since I started using the GC.

      Reply
  • Kayla
    01/09/2017

    I have yet to find this polish in a drugstore, the only place I’ve seen it in person is ulta. That said, I’m obsessed and I agree about all the pluses you wrote about. Mine looks fairly worn after a week, but I’m a mom of a two year old and spend a lot of time washing things for small people. But I agree whole heartedly. I love this stuff!!

    Reply
    • Keira Lennox
      Kayla
      01/10/2017

      “Washing things for small people” made me smile. :) I’ve had the best luck with ‘Sheer Fantasy’ for longest wear time; I think because it’s so light it camouflages chips really well. What’s your fave shade?

      Reply
      • Kayla
        Keira Lennox
        01/10/2017

        I think the favorite so far is surrounded by studs. I just bought sheer fantasy and I’m going to have to try it. Do you feel like two coats gives you good enough coverage with such a light color? Another fav of mine is gala-vanting. I enjoy the dark colors in winter.

        Reply

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