Whenever I’m asked for a good nail polish recommendation or a gel nail alternative, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve recommended Essie Gel Couture nail polishes and the Gel Couture Top Coat. This combo not only looks and has the same plumped look of gel polish on the nails, but I can easily get 10 days out of my manicure without major chipping when I reapply the top coat every couple of days. Honestly? It’s my nail polish go-to.
And now that we’re headed into autumn, I’ve been itching to try some darker nail colours from the range. And right now, Caviar Bar is my navy nail colour of choice as we head into the new season.
Essie Gel Couture Caviar Bar
Pros
- Two coats leave a plumped, glossy look that resembles gel
- When paired with the top coat, it can stay chip-free for over a week
- A good alternative to gel nails
Cons
- Works best paired with the Gel Couture top coat
Essie’s Gel Couture nail polishes are easily amongst the most long-wearing I’ve tried, so I couldn’t wait to paint my nails with this shade. I actually picked it up at the start of summer when I was browsing in my local drugstore, and I’ve been dying to wear it now that we’re heading into the autumn months.
This easily one of my favourite Essie nail polish shades. Caviar Bar is a deep, rich navy hue that leaves your nails looking inky and dark, alongside the most incredible plumped and glossy finish that genuinely does look like gel polish at first glance. However, no gel lamp is required with this. You simply apply two coats, then finish with the top coat (which is one of the best I’ve ever tried). I particularly love this shade on short nails, and it has a certain Parisian mood to it.
Essie recommends topping up the top coat on day seven; however, I like to top up every few days to really make the polish last. With this method (and as long as I’m not being too heavy-handed!) I can usually get my manicure to last around 10 days without major signs of chipping. Of course, with this being a darker nail colour, the chips were more obvious than they would be with a sheer or light pink shade. Nonetheless, I love this shade and the result. It’s the ultimate navy nail shade for this time of the year to welcome in the new season.
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