The love affair with Essie Gel Couture continues! I cannot stop using the colors I have because they are so gorgeous. The polish is light, smooth and super glossy. 

I've always loved using the Essie Gel Couture top coat because it gives the shiniest, glossiest and long lasting finish but when you combine it with the actual Gel Couture nail color, the difference is astounding. These two are truly a match made in heaven.

It's been a minute since my last Manicure Monday post, and probably almost a year since I did a post about any brand other than Olive & June. I don't know what sparked my interest in these nail polishes again, maybe a TikTok video or beauty editor, but I caught the Gel Couture bug.

My mom took notice because she included a few colors in my Easter basket and I've been wearing them non stop. There's just something about the shininess of an Essie polish that looks so glamorous and put together. Olive & June still has my heart but I've been enjoying the variation.

As we enter Spring, I'm most excited to switch out my nail polish colors. I love deep, dark colors more than anything but once March hits I start to break out my nudes and light pinks.

My nail polish collection has grown and grown and I've expanded a bit outside of the Essie bubble but they'll always be my number one favorite. That being said, I've really been feeling the Gel Couture line because so many more fun colors have been released over the past few months.

When I saw the Monique Lhuillier Bridal Collection hit Ulta.com, I jumped at the rose gold shade called "To Have and to Gold". Online photos don't do it justice but trust me, it's one of the most gorgeous Essie shades ever.



It applies very smoothly, probably better than any other Gel Couture polish and I think that's because of the metallic finish. It's a pure rose gold that shifts metallic but doesn't have chunky glitter which I can really appreciate. It's sparkly without being over the top or annoying, and I just love the way it looks. It's for sure a color that's perfect for spring & summer but I could see myself wearing this all year round.



I did my nails last Sunday and they held up really, reall well! I touched up once throughout the week and as I write this (on Sunday, April 9th) my nails look awesome. I think this is the best Gel Couture formula that I've tried so far because it's the one that's lasted the longest!



On another note, I was less than impressed by Essie's Spring 2017 collection so I'll probably be skipping it, but there is a new 'all nudes' collection coming soon and I cannot wait to get my hands on that!

Below are some of my favorite top & base coats for all nail polish looks:


What's on your nails this Monday?
xoxo
B

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It's time for the 2nd part of my new obsession, the Essie Gel Couture Ballet Nudes collection! If you missed last week, head there now to check out what all the fuss is about. 

I've loved the Gel Couture line since it was released but this new Ballet Nudes collection is speaking to me on another level. After I fell in love with "At the Barre" I ordered another shade called "Perfect Posture". It's described as a periwinkle and that is the perfect description. It does have a slightly more purple hue to it and almost looks identical to Virgin Snow-- another top 5 favorite of Essie colors.






This formula was very consistent with the previous shade and is nearly identical. I do think these are slightly better formula than the 1st launch of Essie Gel Couture but this entire line is better than regular Essie and is a little more consistent.

There's not much to say other than this applied like a dream and I'm obsessed with the brush. It's very thick and flat, almost like a flat eyeshadow brush and it makes it ridiculously easy to apply and get an even coat.

I used the sample base coat and topcoat as last week, my Julep Base Coat Oxygen Treatment and my Orly Dry Drops. I also used my Josie Maran Bare Naked Polish Remover/Cuticle Treatment to remove the Essie Treatment polish I applied Thursday night. (I'm writing this on Saturday!)

My cuticles have also been a mess so I've been applying my NCLA So Rich Cuticle Oil obsessively.

I really love this color for the transition into spring and I'll for sure be wearing it a lot.

What's on your nails this Monday?
xoxo
B

Some time last year, Essie released their first gel nail polish. I'm pretty sure I did a post on it but cannot find it anywhere! Just know that I was a big fan; I only had 2 colors in this Gel Couture line but mostly because I didn't feel drawn to any of the other colors in the line.

It took them a while to expand the line but within the last month or so, they did and I was so excited.

The new collection is called "Ballet Nudes" and plays on the soft colors of the art of ballet. I was a ballet dancer when I was younger (yes, I had pointe shoes and everything) so anything ballet related I am a sucker for.



I've been in a true nude mood lately when it comes to nail polish so I went with "At the Barre", a soft nude color and decided to pick up another top coat, both from Ulta.

I hadn't used the gel couture polish in a while because I've been on a new nail polish spree (and also have been wearing bare nails a lot (with the help of the Formula X Sheer Strength polish, but I was reminded at how wonderful it is.

I prepped my nails with my Julep Oxygen Base Coat, went in with the nude polish and topped it off with the Gel Couture top coat. I don't remember the last time I had such a pleasant manicure or the last time a polish went on so smoothly.



The formula is thin but not too runny and is very smooth & opaque. Finish off with the OPI Quick Dry Drops and you have the perfect at home manicure.

Because I'm so obsessed after one use, I decided to head back to Ulta.com & pick up the "Perfect Posture" shade, a light periwinkle blue that is so stunning and perfect for spring.

If you have yet to try Essie Gel Couture, I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm very loyal to Essie but they have their hits and misses; this line is definitely a hit.

PS: Essie also just released some new treatment nail polishes and I picked a few up. I'm obsessed with treatment polishes lately so keep an eye out for those reviews; below are a few other Essie products I've been dying to try!