If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I love a good nail polish recommendation. After developing a sensitivity to gel polish a few years ago, I’ve been on the search for the best gel nail alternatives. I’ve tried almost every nail polish in my local drugstore. You name it, I’ve painted it on my nails.
And after discovering Essie’s Gel Couture Top Coat, I haven’t looked back. Layered over the top of the Gel Couture Nail Polishes, they’ve delivered chip-free manis that easily last 10 days (or sometimes even up to two weeks). They’ve become my go-to duo for long-lasting manicures, and I’ve even had friends mistake them for gel nails. They look and feel just as plump and glossy on my nails, and you’d never guess that they are nail polishes.
I’ve now collected a fair few of the Essie nail polish shades, but I feel compelled to share my all-time favourite, which is quite possibly the best sheer pink nail polish I’ve ever tried. Scroll on for the shade I’m wearing on repeat.
Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish in Fairy Tailor
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
Essie
Gel Couture in Fairy Tailor
ProsLasts up to 2 weeksSheer, suits-everyone pink shadeLayerableLong-wearing with a glossy shineConsTakes a couple of coats for more opacityBest worn with the gel couture top coat for best results
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
Fairy Tailor is the perfect pink, IMO. It’s a sheer milky nail colour with a hint of delicate pink. It’s translucent, so I prefer layering up two coats for more opacity and a milkier effect. It really brightens the nail plate, so it acts like a skin tint for the nails whilst letting your natural nails shine through. It applies smoothly and dries pretty fast, too. But most importantly, it leaves a glossy lacquer and plumped finish that looks and feels very similar to gel polish. I find it also acts as a protective shield to my weak and bendy nails.
I finish it with two coats of the Gel Couture Top Coat (£12). I’d highly recommend pairing it with this nail top coat, as it really does make all the difference in how well it lasts. If you apply another coat on day seven, you can easily have your manicure last almost two weeks.
(Image credit: @eleanorvousden for Who What Wear UK)
The polish contains “flex.e gel technology”, which bonds to the nail and moves with your nails to prevent chipping. However, it’s easy to remove with regular nail polish, unlike gel polish. I wore the Fairy Tailor shade and top coat on a recent trip where I was lugging a suitcase around, and despite being very heavy-handed with my nails this week, I’ve only had one small chip. So I’m seriously impressed. If you’re looking to switch to a nail polish that rivals the longevity of gel polish, then this is one of the next best things you can try. And the Fairy Tailor shade is such a versatile shade that will see you through all seasons and occasions.
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Using a regular cuticle oil or nail serum is the key to making your manicure look expensive, and this one nourishes the entire nail with hydration.
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