Essie Gel Couture – the only polish for me

Essie Gel Couture – the only polish I will use from now on.

essie gel couture pretty please charlie

You’re probably thinking that’s quite a bold statement to make. It is. But it’s true. Here’s why…

It actually lasts on my nails!!!

I want to scream that from the roof tops. No other polish lasts on my finger nails like Essie’s new Gel Couture range.

I love wearing polish on my nails but I hardly ever do. Nothing lasts. If I decide to paint my nails for an event, I have to paint within hours of the event and still pop the polish in my bag in case it needs touch-ups. If I’m lucky, the polish will last till the next day. So why even bother?

When I read reviews on the new Essie Gel Couture range when it launched a couple months ago, I got a little excited. I have tried other polishes that claim gel-like wear and they haven’t delivered. Not sure why I hoped it would be different this time, but Essie, you made my year.

Essie Gel Couture lasts on my nails for 5 days. FIVE DAYS!!

And that is by not really taking care of the mani by adding another  layer of topcoat every 2 days as recommended. Plus I wash dishes without wearing gloves, I give a keyboard a good beating every day, I play Lego and I use my nails as tools more often than I should.

So I’ll say it again… 5 days!! And that is 5 days of wear before any cracks or chips.

There are other things on this range worth mentioning like the beautiful newly designed bottle, the patent pending swirl stem brush and the couture fashion inspired shade selection, but it’s the wear and longevity that’s got me hooked.

I find application pretty standard… 2 coats of colour and the top coat. Drying time may be a tad longer than ‘standard’, but that’s fine.

Removal takes a little more effort, cotton wool and polish remover, but that’s also not an issue for me.

I have finally found a system that lasts on my nails and the finish is super smooth and shiny. It truly is beautiful.

I was very happy when I saw the darker shades available in this range as I’m not really one for nudes, pastels and brights, so shades like gala-vanting, model clicks and hang up the heels are perfect for me. I also have twill seeker which I love!!

essie-gel-couture-pretty-please-charlie

top coat, twill seeker, gala-vanting, model clickshang up the heels

A friend of mine also tried it and she’s hooked. She also loves the range and now she has me lusting after beauty nap. The shade is more muted and little darker than it looks in the image below (top right hand corner) and on the site, which makes it perfect for me.

essie-gel-couture-pretty-please-charlie-review

You can head over to www.essie.co.za to check out the range available.

VERDICT:

Essie sent me the polishes to try, but would I buy it for myself? YES!

Would I recommend this range above any other? YES!

Do I think it’s worth paying R170 for the colour polish and R180 for the top coat? YES!

You will find Essie Gel Couture at selected Dis-Chem, Clicks and Foshini stores.

Happy shopping!

xoxo

Slaying in the Summer: Win tickets to the Cosmo Summer Party

The hotly anticipated, annual Cosmo Summer Party is back and ready to kick off the Mother City holidays on Saturday, 26 November at Shimmy Beach Club. This year the Cosmo team is taking things to a whole new level with the biggest party, the biggest names and the coolest theme yet.

The Cosmo Summer Party of the year!

Cosmo Summer Party

Entertainment on the night will feature international and local DJ royalty, including homegrown hero Black Coffee. With his worldwide appeal, recent BET award wins and having hosted the best international residencies, Coffee is the freshest act to have come out of Africa in a long time.

Other entertainment on the night will be Cape Town born and bred DJ Minx; Jhb-based DJ, presenter and MC, DJ Loyd newcomer on the international scene, Joccie Borg, and much-loved local legend, the versatile and talented Leyton Lee.

With the event’s theme of “Slaying in the Summer” guests can get creative yet sexy and glam with slinky bikinis, sarongs, board shorts, tropical prints, flowers in the hair, and anything else that signifies summer, sunshine and parties.

Event starts at 19h00 for 20h00 and tickets cost R350 and can be purchased at www.cosmopolitan.nutickets.co.za/summer

Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram @CosmopolitanSA.

Win tickets to ring in #COSMOSummer

All you have to do to win a set of double tickets to the party of the year is to comment below and you are in the draw! Extra entries for Facebook and Twitter shares – make sure to leave a separate comment for each share telling me where you’ve shared the giveaway and put your Twitter handle and/or Facebook name in the comment for verification. Max of 3 entries per person. The winner will be announced 18 November 2016.

Good luck!

xoxo