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Essie Nail Care, 8-Free Vegan, Strong Start Base Coat

Curated from 96 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: February 20, 2025

Essie Nail Care, 8-Free Vegan, Strong Start Base Coat

Brand: essie

Price: $9

Snoop Score:

5.8

Sentiment

4.6

Popularity

4.8

Technical

6.4

Buy on Amazon for $9 See All Base Coat Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

Essie Nail Care, 8-Free Vegan, Strong Start Base Coat is a clear, strengthening nail polish designed to reinforce and harden nails while serving as a prime base for any manicure. It boasts a formula enriched with biotin, intended to reduce peeling, chipping, and breakage, and is suited for both everyday users and nail art enthusiasts. Consumer sentiment swings between high praise and notable concerns. Many users exclaim, “Honestly my nails have never felt or looked healthier,” emphasizing its strength benefits, while others lament issues like, “Essie Strong Start trashed my nails also- nearly all of them have peeling issues.” The feedback reflects a community divided on the product’s performance: some swear by its quick-dry and chip-resistant qualities, and others warn of potential nail damage. Critiques about its application and durability underline that while the product excels for some, it may not suit every nail type. Overall, the product is recommended with caution. Experts note that if you have weak or brittle nails, the strengthening benefits might be a boon; however, those with already healthy, resilient nails might want to consider the potential for over-strengthening leading to breakage.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Base Coat

Honestly my nails have never felt or looked healthier.
Positive Feedback

Many people recommended the Essie ridge filler, but I can't find it ANYWHERE.
Negative Feedback

5.8

Essie Nail Care, 8-Free Vegan, Strong Start Base Coat

Buy on Amazon for $9

At-Home Manicures

5 / 10

Nail Protection

5 / 10

Enhanced Nail Art Longevity

5 / 10

Strengthening Treatment

9 / 10

See how this compares to all Base Coat

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Essie base coat strengthens nails

“Honestly my nails have never felt or looked healthier.”➕

“I like this base because it doesn't have PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral, causes peeling and damage) or hardeners/strengtheners and I feel like it lasts a while for me.”➕

“My nails are healthy and strong and I think in part it's thanks to this specific base...”➕

“this is my fave base and my nails have had 0 issues.”➕

Essie Here to Stay dries quickly

“My favorite drug store base coat is Essie here to stay. I like that it dries really quickly so I can just keep going with my mani.”➕

Essie Here to Stay works well for longevity

“I think they work great, I use one coat of Here to Stay and then top it with Smooth-E and I feel like they last a good while (1-2 weeks)”➕

“it definitely allows me to use just two coats instead of needing three with certain neons/yellows/pastels.”➕

Essie base coats minimize ridges effectively

“I don't feel like one coat is enough to minimize ridges.”➕

Essie quick dry line is recommended

“Essie is my favorite and they have a quick dry line that you may like.”➕

Using a quick dry topcoat enhances results

“The Essie good to go quick dry topcoat is what I've been using lately and it works wayyy better than the gel couture top coat.”➕

“Overall, I find that using a quick dry topcoat is very helpful with the gel couture polishes.”➕

Strong Start base coat is effective for long-lasting manicures

“it's been the best base coat I've ever used.”➕

“my nails hold up to 2 weeks, which is amazing!”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Essie ridge filler has been discontinued

“Many people recommended the Essie ridge filler, but I can't find it ANYWHERE.”➕

Essie Strong Start may cause nail tearing

“I’ve come to the conclusion that this base coat has to be responsible for what’s happened to my nails.”➕

Essie Strong Start may not suit all nail types

“If your nails are already healthy then strengthening will make them more likely to snap because you need the bend to absorb the shock from knocking them.”➕

Concerns about finding alternative base coats

“I had to resort to strong start lately and I do not like what I’m reading here 😅”➕

Essie Here to Stay chips within 24 hours for some users

“it chips for me within 24 hours. 😩 I haven’t tried smooth-e, but I love a good ridge filling base coat!”➕

Essie Strong Start may damage nails

“i feel like my nails are very flimsy and soft after using it and idk if that is the problem?”➕

“Essie Strong Start trashed my nails also- nearly all of them have peeling issues now and I had to cut them all down because they kept breaking.”➕

“Hmmm my nails have been thin lately and I’ve been using this base coat so I think it’s possible.”➕

“I noticed my nails peeling and chipping after using it a few times.”➕

Possible defective product batch

“Maybe that particular bottle or batch is defective, I’d contact Essie.”➕

Some users experienced allergic reactions to Seche Vite top coat

“it gave me an allergic reaction. I was so sad because it really did make my manicure look salon-quality.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
RARJSM Nude Sheer Pink Fiber Glass Rubber Base Gel Nail Polish	$6	8.7	Details	Buy
KUPA GelFinity - Soak Off Gel - Base Coat 0.5 Fl Oz	$9	7.9	Details	Buy
GLOBAL FASHION Professional Global Fashion Strong Rubber Base Coat	$13	7.7	Details	Buy
ZOOIAL 15ml Gel Base Coat	$6	7.6	Details	Buy
wet n wild Nail Polish Wild Shine Protective Base Coat Nail Color	$1	7.4	Details	Buy
Beetles Gel Base Coat 15ml for Gel Nail Polish	$6	7.3	Details	Buy
Sally Hansen Maximum Growth® Nail Strengthener and Base Coat	$6	7.2	Details	Buy
GAOY Gel Base Coat for Gel Nail Polish	$6	6.8	Details	Buy
Makartt Base Coat Nail Polish	$9	6.3	Details	Buy
Essie Nail Care, 8-Free Vegan, Strong Start Base Coat	$9	5.8	Details	Buy
ZOOIAL Gel Base Coat 15ml	$6	5.1	Details	Buy
ORLY Bonder Nail Polish Base Coat	$8	4.8	Details	Buy
Seche Clear Base Coat .5 oz	$7	4.0	Details	Buy
modelones Gel Nail Polish Base Coat 15ml	$8	3.9	Details	Buy
Mineral Fusion Nail Treatment Strengthening Base Coat	$13	3.5	Details	Buy
Gelish Gelish Foundation Flex Bundle	$54	3.3	Details	Buy
OPI Natural Nail Base Coat	$11	3.1	Details	Buy
Organic Nails Organic Nails Gel Color Base Coat	$21	1.1	Details	Buy
iFancer Nail Polish Base Coat Quick Dry Long Lasting Clear Nail Polish	$19	0.3	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

General discussion about finding favorite base and top coats

“Mooncats got all goopy fast and I just want general advice on top coats and base coats.”➕

Essie fast drying top coat effectiveness

“I use the Essie fast drying top coat and it works really well.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

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

Discussion about using multiple base coats for better results

“I’ve seen somebody say they use 3 base coat layers of theirs!”➕

“Yeah, so maybe it's actually working for me because I've noticed the same.”➕

Experiences with alternative top coats

“I use out the door instead, works fantastic.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

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

Base coats can vary in effectiveness based on personal chemistry

“I think it also depends significantly on how well your body chemistry reacts with the base coats.”➕

“It definitely depends on the specific formula and the person!”➕

“This gets asked regularly and there’s a spreadsheet with base coat info.”➕

Preference for other brands over Essie

“Is Sally Hansen base coat as good as Essie's?”➕

“I like Sally Hansen Color Therapy Base Coat better than Essie Smooth-e Base Coat.”➕

“I stan hard for OPI Natural Nail Base Coat.”➕

“I love the Sally Hansen CTSBC, it’s all I’ve used for the last year or so.”➕

Difficulty finding Essie products in stores

“I can’t find it anywhere so I have also been trying to find a great ridge filler.”➕

Concerns about product availability in different regions

“Unfortunately, I live in Europe, and it seems like the two products you mentioned aren't sold here.”➕

Recommendations for alternative base coats

“This has helped tremendously.”➕

“What works great for me is 2 coats of either smoothing base or Lockup by ILNP.”➕

Recommendations for alternative nail polish brands.

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

General discussion about base coat preferences

“Has anyone tried using a base coat with Essie Gel Couture polish? ”➕

“The Essie gel couture is what got me started on my nail polish journey.”➕

“Man, gel couture really slays.”➕

“I don’t see why anyone would use it without a basecoat, its just a normal top coat.”➕

Recommendation for separate base and top coats

“I didn’t see many posts on reddit or videos online raving about this as a top or base coat.”➕

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

User recommendations vary based on personal experience

“Honestly regular polish just takes so incredibly long to dry.”➕

“Wondering if this is the norm for all long lasting, gel finish products or if there’s something better?”➕

Advice on nail care techniques shared

“I personally don’t have this problem with my Essie Gel Couture.”➕

Concerns about brand compatibility for nail products

“Should you generally stick to the same brand for base, polish, and top coat? I keep hearing something like the brands are chemically engineered to make all the products work best together but I’m not sure if that’s legit or just marketing.”➕

“The 'systems' are mostly marketing. I've never had an issue mixing multiple brands together.”➕

“I've mixed brands of base/colour/top coat thousands of times over the years and haven't had any issues.”➕

“I've never seen acrylic monomers it in an indie polish or botique brands like ILNP or Mooncat and those can be freely mixed and matched.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Concerns about peel-off base coats

“"Peel-off basecoat ? What's the point then ?" was what went through my mind.”➕

“Thank you, this is a great perspective!”➕

“I'm more asking for which base coats people liked rather than which base coats do or don't have PVB.”➕

Effectiveness of base coats can depend on personal chemistry

“It might be the PVB if this base coat has it.”➕

Base coat effectiveness can vary by personal chemistry

“I’ve been using Holo’s Long Lasting base coat and notice always by the 1.5 Day mark my nails are chipping.”➕

“Holo tacos long lasting base does not work with my body chemistry.”➕

“It actually works like a peely base for me.”➕

“I wonder if that’s what my issue is too.”➕

Discussion about cruelty-free and vegan brands.

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

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

“The formula is so easy to work with, practically one coat and great paddle brush.”➕

User experiences with alternative products

“Oh no, thats horrible! :(”➕

Discussion about nail polish application affecting durability

“To me wear time and chips has more to do with application, base coat, formula, nail health, water exposure, and habits/behaviors like what you use your nails for.”➕

Indie brands may offer more shine and dimension

“You will pay a little bit more but the quality of the polish is worth it.”➕

Concerns about brand consistency

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

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