essie Gel Couture Nail Polish - Matter of Fiction - 0.46 fl oz: Vegan, Animal By-Product-Free, Formaldehyde-Free

A: I don't have a recommendation for the gel line, but Mademoiselle in the regular Essie line is my all-time favorite for a French manicure. Ballet Slippers is another good one.

A: Hi there Christie! We agree, the gel couture color "sheer fantasy" is a great option for a french manicure. This graceful sheer pink is the perfect base color.

A: Sheer Fantasy, but Fairy Tailor is another great option.

A: Hi Christie! We would recommend Sheer Fantasy. Hope this helps!

A: ABSOLUTELY IT IS NOT!

A: Hi Andrea! This gel polish is sometimes used in a salon. It is typically on the wall of polishes to choose from, rather than the ones that set under a heat lamp. I hope this helps!

A: Hi there Andrea! Unlike salon gel nailcolors, the Gel Couture does not require the use of a UV lamp and is easily removed with your regular polish remover.

A: Hi ajm! After you have painted two base coats and a top coat of essie gel couture polish, it takes about 15 minutes to dry. Hope this helps!

A: Hi there! The Gel Couture nail colors are a longwear nail enamel. They take slightly longer to dry than a classic nail color. A classic takes about 2 minutes per layer to dry, the Gel Couture takes about 5 minutes per layer to dry. Once you have your layers on, it takes about 15 minutes to dry, but you always want to refrain from busy nails for the first hour or so after your mani.

A: Hi there Deirdre! The Gel Couture nail colors come in a wide range of colors and finishes. Online it can be harder to know what you’re seeing so scroll down and read the “HIGHLIGHTS” to learn if the color is opaque, sheer, shimmer, etc. And yes, the Wearing Hue is a creamy delicate white with a slight blush of champagne and shimmer.

A: Hello Deirdre, Try shade Wearing Hue? for a beautiful shimmer. Hope this helps :)

A: Hi Amanda! Don't use a UV lamp with the Gel Couture nail colors and Top Coat This formula is made for easy home use. No base coat is used. Apply 2 coats of color to bare nails, finish with the top coat and let your nails dry like a normal nail enamel. Remove with your regular polish remover.

A: Hi Amanda! No UV lamp is required for this gel polish to set. Hope this helps!

A: Hi there Y4Yvette! The gel couture top coat and gel couture nail enamels are all sold separately, but from time to time, you may see the top coat banded to a specific color as part of a limited edition offer in the stores.

A: Hi Y4Yvette! This particular nail polish is sold individually. However, you may see some deals where the essie Gel Couture Nail Polish's are sold in a package set with a top coat. Hope this helps!

A: Hi AMM! The essie here to stay base coat will help bold color to your nail. It also helps prevent the nails from staining. Hope this helps!

A: Hi there AMM! The Gel Couture colors were made to go over a bare nail bed, with not base coat. While base coats help classic nail enamels adhere to the nail bed, we don't think the Gel Couture will work well over a base coat.

A: I use regular polish remover and it comes off very easily.

A: Hi there Roberta. The essie Gel Couture nail colors are removed like any normal nail enamel. Use your favorite nail polish remover. No special soaking needed.

A: I do! I have several regular Essie polishes and use this Gel topcoat, and it works well! A manicurist used this combo on me one, and I've been doing it ever since.

A: Hi Esther! The Gel Couture Top Coat is recommended with the Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish. I hope this helps!

A: No, this nail polish does not require a UV lamp for curing.