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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 clicks, hang 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

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Essie Dress to Kilt – Fall Collection

Nail polish addicts please take note… the Essie Fall 2014/Autumn 2015 Dress to Kilt Collection is now in store and it is absolute fabulous.

Essie Dress to Kilt – Fall Collection

essie fall 2014 autumn 2015 Dress To Kilt collection

This is an absolutely gorgeous collection and I really struggle to choose a definite favourite. I especially love the darker shades as I adore short, dark nails when the weather turns a little cooler.

Here are close-ups of the shades from the Essie Fall 2014/Autumn 2015 Dress To Kilt Collection.

(Please excuse the blue reflection in these shots… I only noticed it once I downloaded the pics. I think Style Cartel was trying to steal the limelight here.)

essie fall dress to kilt

Dress To Kilt is a beautiful and classic berry red. This is super shiny one-coater and a must have. I’m not really a fan of red for my fingers, but you can be sure that my toes will be sporting this shade for the next few months. This red can be worn all year round.

essie fall 2014 the perfect cover up

The Perfect Cover Up was the first shade that I reached for. It is a dark teal and a perfect autum/winter shade. If you are into dark nail polishes, I can almost guarantee that you will fall for this one just as hard as I have.

essie fall 2014 style cartel

Style Cartel – I have never owned a blue polish quite as beautiful as this one. Style Cartel is something between cobalt and navy and both dark and bright at the same time. I can see my sister and I fighting over this one. It is a stunner. If you like bold, then Style Cartel is for you.

essie fall 2014 take it outside

Take It Outside is a cool greyish taupe. I wasn’t too sure about this shade at first, but the more I stare at it, the more I like it. If you don’t like a ‘nude’ that is too warm or leans too much towards yellow, you will love this shade. Two coats give perfect coverage and I think this shade will work very well with a glittery top coat (if you want to add some bling).

essie fall 2014 fall in line

Fall In Line is gorgeous. Somewhere between jade and khaki, this green is perfect for Autumn. I have fallen for this camo and will surely be wearing it often.

essie fall 2014 partner in crime

Partner In Crime is a warm chocolate brown. This is my least favourite of the collection. I’ve never done brown nail polish. It’s a bit too 80’s for me. I have read that it dries darker than it appears in the bottle and I’ll still give it a go. Don’t knock it till you try it as they say.

The Essie Fall 2014/Autumn 2015 Dress To Kilt Collection is now available at Clicks, Dis-Chem, Foschini and selected salons and retail for R125.

xoxo

 

*Disclaimer: These products were received as part of a media drop. I have not received compensation for this post and the opinions on the products are my own.