The Essie gel couture system is the same as many mail polish applications, containing a colour coat and a top coat to lock in the coloured coat. This range is meant to have the shine of a gel, and increased longevity of a gel without the need for a UV lamp. It has the shine but I found the longevity similar to other long wearing top coats, although certainly better than normal nail polish. The edges wore off at approximately day 4 and started to chip off the bed of my nails about day 6.
The formula was a little hard to work with as it was so runny but I imagine after a few uses and it has dried a bit this will not be an issue. However because it was runny it flooded my cuticles quite easily and because the polish dries like a flexible plastic I found it started to lift here first as the polish was wearing off.
Great idea, low smell, lovely bright colour!
I like the bottle shape, the consistency and the colour. I used this system on my 9 year old twins nails and it didnt last 2 hours before it came off, I put it on my toes and we are still going strong with no chips. I would use this on my toes but not on my hands, I know kids are harder but did expect it to last longer than a couple of hours, when they were playing with dolls not exactly hard work.
I lile the brushes and the smooth consistency and thought it was lower in smell. The bottle shape was cool and easy to hold.
Tips: Maybe an excellent gel alternative for toes!