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essie Nail Care Gel Setter Top Coat

Curated from 94 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 9, 2025

essie Nail Care Gel Setter Top Coat

Brand: essie

Price: $9

Snoop Score:

4.1

Sentiment

6.9

Popularity

8.3

Technical

1.8

Buy on Amazon for $9 See All Top Coat Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

The essie Nail Care Gel Setter Top Coat is a high-quality, vegan nail polish top coat designed to provide a gel-like finish and extend the life of your manicure. With its 8-free formula, it promises to seal in color, deliver a glossy shine, and protect against chips, making it an essential part of any nail care routine. Consumer feedback highlights positive aspects such as its long-lasting shine and quick drying time, with many users stating, "I swear by Essie Gel Setter. Makes everything look better lol." While some users appreciate the thickness and durability it provides, there are mixed sentiments regarding shrinkage, with comments like, "But the shrinkage drives me crazy." Overall, users often express a preference for separate base and top coats to achieve the best results. Despite some concerns about shrinkage and uneven finishes, the essie Gel Setter Top Coat is highly recommended for those looking for a reliable and glossy top coat. The overall sentiment leans positively, making it a worthy contender in its category.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Top Coat

Dries a bit slower, but it shrinks less and sets with a similar thickness.
Positive Feedback

So yeah, tl;dr, don't buy this top coat. It's the worst.
Negative Feedback

4.1

essie Nail Care Gel Setter Top Coat

Buy on Amazon for $9

Everyday Wear

7 / 10

Special Occasions

7 / 10

Professional Salons

7 / 10

DIY Home Manicure

6 / 10

See how this compares to all Top Coat

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Gel Setter provides a similar thickness and less shrinkage compared to other brands.

“Dries a bit slower, but it shrinks less and sets with a similar thickness.”➕

“I was looking into Essie Gel Couture polishes since I’ve heard they help strengthen the nails and are hard like gel polishes.”➕

Gel Setter is recommended by users for its quality.

“That and the Gel setter are honestly so good”➕

“Yes :) I just got the gel setter based on recommendations here and I can’t wait to try it.”➕

Gel Setter provides a nice shine.

“Nice shine that lasts, but not the most thick/plump looking.”➕

“I consider it my holy grail top coat.”➕

“I looooove the Gel Setter one.”➕

“Gel couture is HG right now! It lasts a while and keeps things shiny for daaays.”➕

Gel Setter dries quickly for users.

“For me the GS dries quickly too, in that I can go back to normal activities and not worry about denting or smudging.”➕

“It dries pretty dang fast for me so I've always considered it to be one.”➕

“These have made the most impact on my ability to have nice nails that don’t smear after hours.”➕

Gel Setter dries quickly.

“gtg leaves mine touch dry in minutes (no finger print when touching) and is usually almost or fully cured by the time I get to work.”➕

Gel Setter provides similar thickness compared to other brands

“The bottles are identical, so they should be the same, but I liked the 1098 more.”➕

Gel Setter is a highly recommended top coat.

“I love Gel Setter personally.”➕

Gel Setter enhances color vibrancy

“I usually use the Speed Setter top coat, which is great too, but Gel Setter has changed the game for me!”➕

Gel Setter dries quickly

“For me it dried in 5 minutes”➕

“it was dry and hard way before I was expecting it to be.”➕

Gel Setter creates a glossy finish

“I’m so surprised that it looks just like gel polish with my low skill level.”➕

Gel Couture top coat is super shiny and long-wearing.

“the only difference is that it is SUPER shiny and really long wearing.”➕

“Awesome thanks! I just wanted to make sure that it would still dry correctly and everything.”➕

Gel Setter provides a thick and hard finish.

“The Gel Setter top coat is thick, hard, and super glossy, and Out the Door dries nearly as quickly as Seche Vite.”➕

Essie top coats dry quickly.

“It dries beautifully and most importantly really quick so I don’t have a chance to mess up my mani while it dries.”➕

Users prefer separate base and top coats.

“A product that claims to do both will do neither job well.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Nails bubbled and didn't dry quickly.

“So yeah, tl;dr, don't buy this top coat. It's the worst.”➕

Some users experience shrinkage with Gel Setter.

“But the shrinkage drives me crazy.”➕

“I had major problems with chipping when I tried the ones you listed.”➕

Top coat causes polish underneath to look uneven.

“it made the polish underneath look really weird and uneven.”➕

“I had the exact same thing happen with Speed Setter the first (and only lol) time I used.”➕

Essie always chips on me no matter what I do.

“Essie always chips on me no matter what I do.”➕

Essie speed setter may cause shrinkage.

“Does the Essie speed setter shrink?”➕

Gel Setter causes shrinkage.

“It seems like it's impossible to get a plump topcoat that doesn't shrink.”➕

Inconsistent performance with shrinkage.

“i’ve had more success with mooncat speed demon even though the essie is so pretty.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Glamonade Top Coat Nail Polish Clear	$6	10.0	Details	Buy
L.A. COLORS Top Coat, Top Coat CNP192	$1	9.5	Details	Buy
CND Vinylux Long Wear Shine Top Coat	$11	8.5	Details	Buy
V Beauty Pure No Wipe Gel Top Coat	$14	8.5	Details	Buy
Essie Gel Couture Long-Lasting Nail Polish Top Coat, Clear	$9	7.5	Details	Buy
Mia Secret UV Finish Gel 15 ml - Professional High Gloss Top Coat	$13	6.7	Details	Buy
Makartt Gel Top Coat - 2 PCS No Wipe Top Coat Gel Nail Polish	$7	6.4	Details	Buy
KUPA GelFinity Soak Off Gel Top Coat	$9	6.1	Details	Buy
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat - .5 fl oz by Seche	$6	6.1	Details	Buy
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel™ Shiny Top Coat	$8	5.8	Details	Buy
OPI Top Coat \| Nail Polish Top Coat	$11	5.3	Details	Buy
beetles Gel Polish No Wipe Gel Top Coat by beetles Gel Polish	$5	5.2	Details	Buy
Beetles Gel Polish No Wipe Top Coat and Base Coat Set	$6	4.6	Details	Buy
modelones Gel Nail Polish Top Coat	$5	4.6	Details	Buy
essie Nail Care Gel Setter Top Coat	$9	4.1	Details	Buy
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails® Top Coat	$3	3.5	Details	Buy
beetles Gel Polish Beetles Extra Glossy Gel Top Coat	$7	3.5	Details	Buy
JODSONE 2 Bottles of Top Coat Base Coat Set	$5	3.1	Details	Buy
ZOYA Armor Top Coat Clear	$12	3.0	Details	Buy
Vishine Top Coat- 15ML No Wipe Top Coat Gel Nail Polish	$6	2.8	Details	Buy
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri® Clear Top Coat	$4	2.3	Details	Buy
KIARA SKY Professional Nails LED UV Soak off Gel Polish Non Wipe Top Coat	$13	2.3	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Discussion on drying times and application techniques.

“Ive found with Essie QDTCs you cant put them over polish thats too wet or they take forever to dry down.”➕

“I find wait times doesnt really matter as theres so many factors that can change length of dry time - actual feel is more important imo.”➕

“If you get a finger imprint, it's still too wet and you need to wait a bit longer.”➕

“That looks like what happens when a QDTC battles too thick of layers below when trying to cure them.”➕

Discussion on brush quality and usability.

“Ooh that sounds pretty nice if you’re able to do your nails before bed.”➕

Users discuss their experiences with various quick dry top coats.

“Quick dry top coat is the answer.”➕

“I’ve seen both!”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Discussion about using different top coats with Gel Couture polish.

“Do I have to use Essie Gel Couture top coat with Essie Gel Couture polish?”➕

Users are exploring different top coat options.

“What is everyone’s favorite top coat and base coat?!”➕

“Orly bonder base coat and seche vite dry fast top coat OR Holo Taco glossy top coat.”➕

“Top coat though I am in love with vibrant scents and will never use another one.”➕

“Currently my fav drugstore is a tie between Essie Gel Couture and Seche Vite.”➕

Discussion around quick dry top coats for nail art.

“I've recently gotten into nail arts, and been struggling with smudging 🥲”➕

“I prefer DRK's Seal Glaze because it has a wide paddle brush.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Users are looking for alternatives to other Essie top coats.

“Lately that’s my go to from Essie.”➕

Users are discussing various Essie top coat options.

“I've repurchased it so many times and it's never failed me.”➕

“I've gone through like 3-4 bottles of this top coat 😊”➕

Discussion about drying times of Gel Setter

“How long to dry down?”➕

Users comparing Gel Setter with other top coats

“It worked well for me then suddenly it started shrinking at the tips.”➕

Discussion about nail prep techniques before applying top coat.

“Naked nails can absorb a third of their weight in water.”➕

Users are sharing tips on application techniques to reduce shrinkage.

“I can get my nails painted (minus prep) in about ten minutes this way.”➕

Users are looking for specific products in different regions.

“But I didn't know what I was looking for is a water-based top coat, so your reply has been a really helpful guide :)”➕

Users are discussing tips to mitigate shrinkage.

“if so thats such a cool hack im definitely gonna try it”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Essie changes product numbers for different outlets

“a different number doesn't immediately mean one is fake.”➕

Discussion about potential counterfeit products

“I don't know, but Essie probably do.”➕

Users are comparing Gel Setter with Seche Vite for shrinkage issues.

“No hate, but I cant stand the shrinkage.”➕

“I rage-quit Seche a number of years ago also.”➕

Discussion about cruelty-free brands and alternatives

“This seems like a wonderful community and I am more than happy to give any insight of my own :)))) and compliment your wonderful manicures 💅💖”➕

“The top coat makes my manicure last full week with no chipping and comes in scents!”➕

“Mooncat is pretty long wearing and they've gone very ~aesthetic~ with their last two releases.”➕

“Olive Ave Polish quick dry top coat is a favorite.”➕

Discussion on alternatives to other Essie top coats

“I was surprised by how pigmneted and opaque the colour is.”➕

“If you want shine and dimension I would look into indie brands.”➕

Users are discussing vegan and cruelty-free nail polish brands.

“What are your favorite vegan, cruelty free, 8+ free & good ethics nail polish brand??”➕

“I was very impressed!”➕

“Butter London, bio seaweed are two that come to mind.”➕

“I heard quality wise they are not very consistent?”➕