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Style & Beauty

Nail polish topcoat recommendations please.

31 replies

BeeFarseer · 14/05/2017 20:33

I've used Seche Vite for a while, but either my nails have changed, or the formula has, because it just isn't working for me anymore.

My polish is either chipping within hours, or flaking off entirely in one nail-shaped piece.
I've been using a Sally Hansen base/topcoat, but it happens with or without using it.

Is there a miracle quick-drying topcoat that will do the job, or do I need to start looking into doing shellac at home?

OP posts:
uncoolnn · 14/05/2017 20:37

I actually really like Barry m "plumpy" horrible name. It's cheap and cheerful and really does work for me Smile

Judydreamsofhorses · 14/05/2017 20:38

Jessica Brilliance.

CantChoose · 14/05/2017 20:43

Oh I was going to post pretty much this exact question. Will piggy-back in here if that's ok :)

CantChoose · 14/05/2017 20:44

I've used Jessica brilliance before but found it took a lot of colour off with it, I had to let the nails almost completely dry before using it. That's was years ago though, is it different now? I'm too impatient to wait!

Chicinwellies · 14/05/2017 20:45

I've tried them all. No7 Stay is by far the best, I always keep spare bottles and it works incredibly.

ijustwannadance · 14/05/2017 20:46

I like nails inc caviar topcoat. Nails are rock hard dry in about a minute

SesameSparkle · 14/05/2017 23:36

I like Sally Hansen Insta Dry. It works like seche vite, but without the shrinkage - which could be what's pulling your polish off. Also to avoid your whole nail coming off in one piece, try leaving a slight gap at the edge of your nail bed - it's water getting underneath that can do it, so you need a good seal of layers on top of the nail, without overlapping the cuticle.

fauxhito · 15/05/2017 00:55

Revlon quick dry top coat. Zoya armor when pregnant.

DimplesToadfoot · 15/05/2017 01:04

There are quite a few versions of Nails Inc top and base coats in the poundshops atm, I picked up a years supply few

I'm quite a fan of Sensationail's Polish to gel Transformer kit, you can either use it with gel polish, mix your own polish with it to make it a hybrid gel or as what I tend to do, paint nails as normal and apply the transformer topcoat, it makes my polish last for days, instead of hours

meladeso · 15/05/2017 01:06

i go revlon for base coat, but seche vite for top coat.
they're great together, i can't find any other combo that works as well.

user1490142285 · 15/05/2017 01:15

Essie Good to Go, dries all the layers of varnish in a minute or two. You have to apply quickly but it really works. I haven't used the Barry M one but I swear by all other Barry M stuff so would like to give it a try.

ephemeralfairy · 15/05/2017 01:22

No 7. Really good.

Lottapianos · 15/05/2017 08:42

Leighton Denny Crystal Finish top coat from M&S. Brilliant, much better than Seche Vite

BeeFarseer · 15/05/2017 09:23

Ooh, lots to choose from.

I'm a big fan of Barry M polishes, so I might start there, and with the No 7 because they're relatively inexpensive. I'll keep an eye out in the pound shops too.

Good advice about how to apply the polish too. My cuticles are in a ragged state at the moment, so I have been painting over them. I need to get some cuticle cream and sort them out.

OP posts:
Cakescakescakes · 15/05/2017 09:28

I use one calls Poshé (yes really...) which is as fast drying as Seche Bitr and wears better on me. I get it on Amazon as think it's American.

YellowLily · 15/05/2017 09:31

The Avon gel top coat dries (almost) as quick as seche vite on me, I don't get the same shrinkage and it's really glossy! It's also much cheaper and you can sometimes get it on offer for even cheaper (£3) Grin

GigiBuffon · 15/05/2017 11:34

Barry M Plumpy is great

LadyRoseate · 15/05/2017 11:39

Yes Barry M Plumpy here as well! Previously I would have said Essie, but I bought this recently because I was in a smaller shop and they didn't have Essie. It's fab - v. shiny and made my toenail polish last 2 weeks.

Henrysmycat · 15/05/2017 11:49

Gotta come clean ever since I discover the Essie Couture line, I have not used anything else. 2 weeks staying power and needs neither UV or anything else except the varnish and top coat.

Intransige · 15/05/2017 11:52

Is the bottle of seche vite old, or are you applying it on different polish? Not all polish likes seche vite.

I like china glaze fast forward with orly bonder as the base coat.

CookieLady · 15/05/2017 15:46

Another vote for Essie good to go. Much prefer it to Naiks Inc caviar top coat and Seche Vite.

miffy2 · 15/05/2017 16:07

I highly recommend Glisten And Glow top coat, I have been using it for years (was previously a Seche Vite fan but hated the shrinkage it caused). I always have a couple of bottles on the go around the house.

You can get it in the UK from a fab online store called Rainbow Connection (not affilliated).

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burnishedsilver · 15/05/2017 16:08

It might be a good base coat that is required instead of a new topcoat.

BeeFarseer · 22/05/2017 14:32

I've bought the Barry M Plumpy, so I'm going to give it a go tonight, once all small children are in bed.

I've also bought cuticle remover cream because I think the raggedness and overgrowth is likely affecting how polish adheres. We'll see!

OP posts:
QueenJulian · 22/05/2017 15:10

Second vote for boots no.7 stay perfect. It dries in 50 seconds and is nice and glossy.

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