I already did a quick little mini review of this on Instagram, but I think this is a good enough find to do a full blog post version of a review. So if you were looking for a full Essie gel setter review, look no further. Short version of the story: It’s super good. Now for the details.

• Formula: The formula is thick, as you might expect from something with gel in the name, but it is easy to apply. It sort of does that self leveling thing that a lot of thick, fast drying top coats do. Speaking of which, it dries pretty quickly. I would say as fast as comparable topcoats like seche vite. But unlike Seche Vite and other like it, I get non of the shrinking at the edges of the nails that I hate so much. The closest formula would probably be the Sephora Formula X top coat which I also love.
• Packaging: Typical Essie packaging. Nothing bad, but nothing special. I always sorta wish the the essie brushes were a little bit wider, but it’s not a deal breaker or anything.
• Price: $10 for .46 oz. Only a little less expensive than Formula X but its definitely easier to find so you can save yourself a trip to Sephora.
• Wear Time: Holy jupmin’ mother of sh*tballs you guys. Im not joking this is literally the only time in my life a nail polish has lasted a whole entire week before I wanted to take it off because it was chipping. I am beyond impressed with the wear of this polish. It wasn’t super shiny by the end of the week, but it was intact and there we’re no real chips, only a little bit of tip wear. I took it off after 6 and 7 days respectively because I just like to do a full manicure once a week and change the color or else my cuticles look raggedy and I get bored of the shade, but it probably could have gone longer.

Like shut your facehole are you kidding me? A whole week?! That literally never happens for me.

• Possible Cons: I haven’t had it long enough to tell, but there is a chance this could get thick and dry out before it’s time. I only say that because I know it happens to formulas that are on the thick side like this, and that tend to dry really quickly. Time will tell though and I’ll come back and update this once I make my way through the bottle.

So that’s my essie gel setter review in a nutshell. Pretty much glowing. Do you have a favorite top coat or have you tried this one? What did you think?