You’ve probably heard or read nail-addicts rave about the top coat from Seche Vite. I have even raved about it – you can read my inital review here.
But now, Seche Vite has gotten some competition for the spot as the best top coat on the market. Essie has released a top coat that they call Gel Setter.
According to Essie, the gel setter top coat is supposed to give your manicure a gel-like finish; glossy, hardened and long-lasting.
It’s time for a comparison!
Prize (that I paid):
- Seche Vite: 99 DKK / $15 / £10 / €14
- Essie Gel Setter Top Coat: 115 DKK / $17 / £12 / €16
Dry time:
Both top coats dry very quickly – Seche Vite hardens a little faster, which makes it seem like it dries quicker.
Lasting time:
- Seche Vite: Like I said in my original Seche Vite review, I get about three days out of it.
- Essie Gel Setter Top Coat: I also get about three days out of this one
- Common for both top coats is that the longer my nails are, the faster they chip
Advantages and disadvantages of Essie Gel Setter Top Coat:
- Advantages
- DNP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free
- Even coverage – no shrinking of the polish
- Very glossy finish
- Wide brush
- Disadvantages
- Higher Prize
Advantages and disadvantages of Seche Vite:
- Advantages
- Hardens quickly and lets you continue with your day
- Very glossy finish
- Not easily dented once dry
- Cheaper prize
- Disadvantages
- Strong smell
- Shrinks polish around the edges
- Narrow, round brush
Now, has Seche Vite lost its spot in my opinion? Not necessarily. Seche Vite is still my go-to top coat if I’m putting tape on my nails for nail art because it dries the surface quicker. However, when it comes to the finishing top coat, and for everyday use, I’m more fan of Essie’s. I like the brush better, I like that it doesn’t smell or shrink the polish.
Now it’s just up to you to decide if you agree with me.
This is a very interesting post. My fave is Seche vite and I reviewed it here https://danetigress.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/the-best-top-coat-base-coat/ but I want to try out the Essie after reading your post. I’ll see if I can find it in France.
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I’ll be very interested to hear what you think of it 😉 – it was very fun reading your review – I definitely agree with you on nail envy being an awesome base coat!
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Thanks, I subscribed to your youtube channel that’s where I get inspiration for my nail art usually
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Thanks for all the follows!
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Thanks for following my blog !Happy new year! I love Denmark, only been once but would love to come back 🙂
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Happy new year to you too! You definitely should! There aren’t so many sights to see (if you ask a Dane), but just being here is an experience in itself 😉
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thanks :). I’ll follow you on social media and will let you know if I ever go to Denmark again, I should do a post about the time I went
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Aldrig har et Top Coat review været mere belejligt! Essie ryger direkte på min ønskeseddel! 😀
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Jeg håber du får den!
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Thanks so much for this useful comparison! I use SV all the time but have been on the lookout for a 3free top coat. I also have problems with SV thickening when the bottle is half empty. Do you have any experience about this with the Essie?
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Yeah, I agree with you on SV. In regards to Essie, I mean, all polish gets thicker the more the bottle has been opened, but SV is really bad and Essie is not as bad at all
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Thanks! 🙂
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It is such a great review and moreover, I’m a great fan of a good Quality top coat and hence, I don’t mind to spend a penny extra.
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A good top coat makes all the difference!
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So true
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