I’ve Used This $10 Top Coat for 5 Years, and My Nail Tech Always Asks If I’m Wearing Gel

I’ve always had an affinity for doing my nails. I’d spend hours in my parents bathroom painting the most lavish designs on my fingernails and would ask for rhinestones, art brushes, and new colors for my birthday. My love for manicures translated into my 20s, and it’s safe to say I’ve tested well over 100 nail products in my life — but there’s one in particular that I can’t stop talking about.

Trust me when I say that Essie’s Gel Couture Long-Lasting Nail Polish Top Coat is more than just your average top coat. The $10 cruelty-free and vegan product offers a gel-like finish sans the UV lamp and is quick-drying, remarkably glossy, and chip resistant. Thanks to the salon-like quality, I’ve relied on this polish for over five years — and nothing comes close to it.

Essie Gel Couture Clear Nail Polish

Amazon

After applying a colored polish of choice, I seamlessly drag the luxe brush across my nails for a smooth finish that fills every groove and ridge. Even without a base coat and only a single top layer, the Essie Gel Couture formula seals my mani and extends its wear time. I also wear the clear top coat by itself when I’m in the mood for a fresh, clean, and revived look, and I consistently receive compliments on my lustrous manicure. My nail technician always thinks I’m wearing a full set of gel when wearing this top coat; even when I tell her no, she continues to double-check just to be sure. Best of all, the formula can be removed just like regular polish, eliminating all the scraping and nail damage.

Selena Gomez is a fan of the shiny top coat, too — she wore it to the 2024 SAG awards and for her Love On music video manicure, according to the brand. But, you don’t have to be an A-lister to appreciate this nail magic, especially when it has nearly 7,600 five-star ratings. An Amazon shopper who is constantly using their hands called it the “best nail polish [they’ve] ever used” since it stays put for 10 days. Another wearer named it their “holy grail” and was impressed with its quick-drying ability, saying it’s dry to the touch in 10 minutes and completely set in 30 minutes, making it a great choice for people on the go.

Since I loved the top coat so much, I snagged a few vibrant colors from the rest of Essie’s Gel Couture lineup, and they’re just as good. So, do yourself a favor and create the mani of your dreams by securing Essie’s Gel Couture Long-Lasting Nail Polish Top Coat and more hues from the line, below.