It's sooooooo goooooood!!! I'm sharing the following with everyone that commented and watched already... Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Essie Gel Couture top coat is my favorite, it's super shiny, and dries quick enough for me, I even use it under matte top coat. I can easily go 10-14 days, but I hardly ever do because after 3-4 days I itch for a new color. I use this top coat no matter what brand of nail polish I use. It's a pricy top coat here in Norway, but the site I buy from regularly have 3 for the price of 2 sales, that way I get 33% off
Another Norway friend??? Love it!!! Essie GC is sooo good. I'm the same with wanting to change colors. Even if I didn't swatch polish, I would want to change colors every 2-3 days. Lol. Thanks so much for watching! Also, please see below for a disclaimer I'm sharing with everyone... Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv Essie is sold eveywhere here, other popular brands are Isadora and H&M. We have a lot more brands, but not as easily available in stores, but we have a few online stores with great selections
I want it ALL: long wearing, quick dry, doesn't smear nail art, cruelty-free! I did try the Glisten & Glow, and it was good, but after a while it thickened up & started shrinking my manicure. It was like the indie version of Seche Vite! I haven't tried the Orly topcoats you reviewed, but I did try 1 that seemed really thin and showed brush strokes when dry (Polishield maybe?). Not a fan. Right now I've been using Morgan Taylor Need For Speed, and I like it pretty well.
@@livwithbiv It's not the Holy Grail, but it is pretty quick drying and glossy. It CAN smear nail art (esp. red polish for some reason), so I have to be careful how I apply it in that case.
Hi, Glisten & Glow topcoat is very shiny and quickly dries, i've been using it on most of my mani's for the past year. I am all about the shine and quick drying time. But I also love Essie gel setter for its very shiny and makes the nails look like you are wearing a gel polish, when i wear it people are always asking what color gel i have on my nails. Love the video❤. Have a great week friend!!!🥰
I have tried to many different ones, Seche vite, glisten and glow, duri cosmetic fast dry, cuccio top coat, Mavala (Switzerland) Morgan Taylor need for speed, Essie top coats, out the door, China Glaze fast forward. But my favorite for long wear is Duri Cosmetics express top coat, plus it is 7 free, although, I do like Mavala but it is more expensive, the pros for these two are they don’t get thick at 1/2 a bottle left.
Thanks for such a great video. Not many people tackle the battle of the topcoats! :) My favorite top coat to date is Essie Gel Couture - it's easy to work with (shiny, quick drying, long lasting, next day is rock hard finish but doesn't get brittle over time, thick and glossy but not too thick that it gets stringy fast, no shrinking if you cap your tips, gives consistent results every time and "fixes" difficult polish formulas - it just works with everything). I usually buy the twin pack online from Target. For some reason, I just can't get Seche Vite to work for me and get varying results each time, it seems to not play nice with certain formulas and shrinks for me no matter if I apply while polish is wet and cap edges (maybe I got an off bottle?). Zoya's Ultra Glossy Seal is very good but doesn't dry as hard in 12 hrs as Essie G.C. in my experience and the cost is way too much if there isn't a sale. I have heard great things about Glisten & Glow and have an order of their Glitter Grabber and Top Coat on the way. I'm hoping it's as good or better than Essie G.C. because the price is great!
Thank you so much! It was definitely a tough battle to tackle!! Lol. After all of that, turns out G & G actually has Toluene in it too, so I'm kinda glad I didn't choose one fave!! I'm going through and making sure everyone is aware. As I said in my video, I still use Seche Vite despite it containing Toluene, but I didn't move it forward because of that. Hope that doesn't change your mind about G & G! Lmk your thoughts after picking it up!!
I’m looking for quick drying and no sheet prints in the morning since I do my nails at night! I like Seche Vite and Glisten and Glow. I like the fact that I can buy Seche Vite in the store and don’t need to order it online like Glisten and Glow. I did buy ILNP, but haven’t tried it yet. I’m nervous to try it, I heard from someone that it doesn’t dry hard fast enough and they ended up with sheet prints. I really should just try it and see for myself. I may love it! 🤷🏻♀️
My main concern for a top coat is how quickly it dries and so far, Glisten & Glow is the best--dries/hardens very well, quickly, and looks great for almost a full week. I find that not only the Seche Vite but also the Orly Shining Armor pucker up/shrink on me, which is too bad (but then, the Orly's pretty pricey, too!). Thanks for doing these comparisons!
I really love Glisten & Glow too!! I'm letting everyone know the following...(it won't change my thoughts on G & G tho)! It's so good. Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
My fav top coat is INM Out the door. Blows sech vite out of the water. My go to for years. I have no reason to look for anything better. Shiny, lasts well, quick dry, no shrinkage.
I'll have to check those out! Thanks so much for watching!!! Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Hi Brandi, thanks for this great review. I am always on the lookout for a great topcoat. My go to for a while now is Out the Door. It might take five minutes or more to dry. But no bubbles, and super shiny. I can get about 5-6 days of wear if I don't start scratching at my polish. I have tried the Sally Hansen in the red bottle, it always leaves little bubbles suspended in the topcoat layer, although it is super fast. Another one I like a lot is the H&M plumping topcoat. It is super shiny, and dries in less than five minutes, no bubbles. But H&M are only available online. I'm so sorry they dropped the polish from their stores. H&M had the most beautiful saturated colors. Love your videos.
I haven't! I'll have to check that one out! Thanks so much for watching, Whitney. Just an FYI, I have since been made aware that G & G also contains Toluene. I feel like I need to let everyone know since that was the main reason for Seche Vite to be cut out. Thus, the tournament results are open to interpretation now. Lol.
Seche Vite is my favorite easily lasts 7 days for me and it’s cheap to buy in bulk on Amazon. But I understand your reasoning for not moving it on. Works well for me. Thanks for the video helpful to find out about Orly shining Armour.
So, plot twist...apparently G & G also has Toluene!!!! I'm trying to go back and edit everything so people are aware. I had no idea! I'm glad I chose 4 topcoats for the best. Lol. As I said in the video, Toluene will not stop me from using a topcoat. If it's good, I'll still use it. I do want everyone to be aware tho. 😀
Love the Zoya Ultra Glossy Seal, I get 1-2 bottles when they do 50%-70% sales and stock up. I love Seche Vive Gel Effect, and actually the Londontown Gel Genius Top coat pairs well with their Lakurs. I'd be curious to try the OPI Plumping!
I’ve gotten 8 days out of the ILNP! It wasn’t even chipped then, I just wanted to change polish. Also the Zoya one is expensive but usually they give you free shipping if you add it to your order, which brings it down to around $10.
Great video! I love Essie gel setter and Essie good to go at the moment. They could last more than a week without chipping. They get a bit thicker over time though. I've been very curious about trying Essie Gel Couture and Glisten & Glow. Thanks for sharing your experience🤗
Thanks so much for watching!! I feel like I tried Good to Go and used a whole bottle years ago. If I remember correctly, I really enjoyed it too!! I am going through and making everyone aware of the following... Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
I don't know how easy it is for you to get Barry M products (UK) in your part of the world but their "Wet Set" is one of my all-time favourites. That or Essie Gel Couture are my go-to top coats.
Hey Josh!! I've never heard of that brand! I'll have to check it out to see if it's available here. Essie GC is soooo good. Thanks so much for watching!! See below for a little disclaimer... Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
My go to top coat is the OPI Plumping Top Coat , I have got about 7 to 8 days of wear at times and it is so super glossy . I’m also impressed with the new Nature Strong one again I got 7 days with no visible signs of wear and I found it dried relatively fast . If I want a speed dry top coat the fastest I’ve ever tried is the Nails Inc 45 sec Top Coat , says 45 but I find it’s touch dry I about 30 and it’s really hard wearing x
Oh wow! That 45 sec tc sounds like a dream!! I may have to check that one out. Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Thank you so much for all this work! I usually use Seche Vite or Glisten & Glow. I feel like I have so many other choices if I want something new! Your the best!!
I really love the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat since it seems to not only gloss over any dents, but also makes my nails look like they are super glassy. I did notice however, that my manicure does not last as long when I re-top them with Gel Setter after 4 days. Instead, I've had much better results with a more watery formula top coat from Pacifica. When I use that, I can usually push my regular manicure to ~10 days 🎉
I tried that orly shining armor and mine was also dull and actually took forever to dry! Glisten and Glow is my current fave. I really need that fast dry time lol.
Hey Hannah!! Thanks for watching. I'm glad someone else had the same experience with the Orly topcoat. It was sooo dull!! Larissa just let me know that G & G also has Toluene in it, so my whole tournament is now open to interpretation on whether you want to use Toluene or not. I will still use it, but I know some people prefer not to.
@@livwithbiv I was pretty sure I’d read that, but that’s for the confirmation! I’m still comfortable using it. Now you don’t have to feel bad about loving your seche vite 😜💕
That was a fantastic video Brandi!!🙂My favorite top coat is the Orly Sec n Dry. It's super fast drying for me and I like that I can use up the whole 18ml bottle without it becoming goopy. And no shrinkage to report. Like you said, there are so many factors of how some fast drying top coats can work for someone and not for someone else.💖
So far I have used Orly Sec n Dry twice in the last few weeks, and it's the most impressive for not shrinking. I have it on right now for five days, and it looks almost as good as day 1. The blue bottle Seche shrinks on the tips, and Essie Gel Couture seems to shrink at the cuticle. It could be that I have on many layers of polish. The Salon Perfect Glitter smoother is pretty good too. I heard from Caitlyn Swatches that she likes Cuticula's top coat the best, and I am ordering it and Glisten & Glow to try out. I find that when the top coat shrinks it may have an edge that gets me starting to pick at. Sometimes I add another coat of top coat after a couple of days to refresh the shine. God bless the nurses.
Holo Taco Glossy Taco is my favourite top coat! It is 5-free and definitely makes my manicure last longer! Super shiny and very quick-drying as well. I have tried the ILNP top coat but it took forever to dry on me and chipped within 2 days. Holo Taco for sure is the best in my opinion!
I had just ordered it, so I look forward to trying it out. I also ordered Cuticula's top coat. Right now the Orly Sec n Dry is the best I have for not shrinking.
Ich möchte dir Danke sagen. Ich schaue dich seit längerem und bin begeistert von deinen Videos und deinem Elan. Auch wenn ich meine Englisch sehr schlecht ist ( bin 65 Jahre alt), sehe ich genau was du sagst. Deine Augen sagen alles. Ganz liebe Grüße aus Deutschland 🙂
I’ve used the Insta Dri Anti Chip (red bottle!) in the past and while I do usually love that topcoat, I found it will bubble a lot for whatever reason. Especially if it’s even remotely warm because of the climate. It also gets very thick (more than others I have used) down the bottle. If you can keep your painting climate in great condition though I will concede it is an amazing topcoat.
Might I recommend Stella Chroma as well as another indie and non-toluene fast dry top coat? Their Fast Fingers top coat was recently reformulated and it does dry very fast, however I cannot speak personally if it causes any shrinkage as I don't think I've tested it enough to say for certain. Holo Taco's super glossy top coat is a another strong contender for a very fast drying top coat but that one does have toluene too.
My favorite is Londontown Flash Dry Top Coat. Super shiny and stays shiny for about 6 or 7 days with no chipping. Yes, it's more expensive but that's what I choose to splurge on. For a drugstore brand the Sally Hansen in the red bottle is my favorite. I've tried Glisten and Glow but the smell is way too strong for me. Great video, Brandi!
Sorry about Seche Vite, which I've been using--because of my need for speed. I just looked up Glisten & Glow and discovered this: "Glisten & Glow Top Coat is a 2 free product. It does NOT contain DBP, Camphor, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde resin. It does contain Toulene."
Yes!!! Polishlabrat also shared that with me! Now my results are all messed up! lol. Thanks for sharing!!! I tried to put some captions in my video to let people know, and changed my description. Thank you.
@@livwithbiv Disappointing to discover this. I used Cutex's top coat before learning how good Seche Vite is, and I still use the Cutex one, now and again.
@@livwithbiv I tried finding the Cutex ingredients online. No luck so far. But I see (from the bottle) that it's a Revlon product. That might tell us something.
Oooh great video idea! I usually use two top coats, one regular clear coat and then a quick drying top coat. My manicure will last 7 to ten days. But I do use gloves when my hands have to be in water. Sally Hansen red bottle and insta dri are great.
Thank you!! Thanks so much for watching!! That's a great idea to do a regular clear coat and then a quick dry coat. I love that idea. Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Its not just you regarding the orly topcoat. I like their polish and orly bonder but I've never liked their topcoats. Shining armor was really disappointing. I like glisten n glow or vibrant vinyls for glossy quick drying topcoats, but I find that olive and June regular top coat gives me super long wear. However it's really slow drying, so I paint my nails with one of the quick dry topcoats and then the next day I use a layer of olive and June. I'm curious to try the Essie gel couture
Hey Danielle!!! So glad I’m not the only one with the Orly topcoats!! I’ve never heard of Vibrant Vinyls! Will have to check that out. Thanks so much for watching!!!
Hi from TN! I know I’m a little late on this video, but I found it as fast as I could!😂 I had to go a spell without polish and all my top coats went thick on me, so I have to buy new. I saw this vid and trust your opinion when weighing my options and choosing colors. I love OPI Plumping TC for its shine and thick gel-like look. I have never had a problem with its durability. Seche Vite is my second fave, but it goes thick pretty fast for me. A word about SV - when using a fairly fresh bottle of SV, if I apply base coat and time it for 2 mins, 2 coats of color with 2 mins between each (not a second longer!) then apply the SV, i don’t get shrinkage. If my color dries any longer, I get shrinkage. I also get shrinkage with SV when it starts to thicken in the bottle with age. I love all your videos and your sparkling personality. Thank you for all your hard work.
Hello to you in TN!!!! Thank you for the helpful hints on SV!!! Will be good to share with others that have shrinkage. 💖 And thank you for watching. Welcome back to having fun with nail polish!! 🙌🏻
If you can find nail thinner where you live, it can save your top coat. Just add a few drops at a time mixing it in until you get the right consistency.
Hi Brandi. I follow you on your UA-cam channel. I am a fellow Nurse also and I want to thank you for following up on my suggestion by doing a video on the best sheer nail polishes, if you recall, I mentioned that I only wear Essie Marshmallow, Essie Waltz and OPI' s Funny Bunny just because I prefer a more neutral white polish especially in the Hospital setting; and you were nice enough to make a video on the best sheers in which you included Marshmallow and Funny Bunny. Thanks for the video. Brandi, I am just reaching out because you said you're working in the O.R. now and I remember that you used to work in Critical Care / I.C.U. Your trajectory was the exact opposite of mine. I started in the O.R., the switched to Critical Care, then became a Nurse Practitioner, but I still work part time at the bedside because hospital benefits are much better than what private practice offers. Just wondering, do you like O.R. better than I.C.U. and are you afraid that you might lose some of your critical thinking skills being that as a Circulating RN your dealing more with instruments and the Critical Care skills like intraoperative blood transfusions and vasopressors are being handled by the Anesthesiologist. That's a big reason why I switched from O.R. to I.C.U. What do you think. Just wondering, from one seasoned Nurse to another. Thanks for your response. Nursing is truly a family. Our work is so important, yet I feel that we're so unappreciated at times. Thanks again, your Sister in the Nursing trenches.
Hey fellow nurse friend!!! So good to hear from you! I actually used to work in OB instead of Critical Care. I personally love working as a circulator in the OR now. I actually do pacu as well. It’s like the best of both worlds! I feel like this is more my speed as I’m getting older. And I love the people I work with. That’s what makes the biggest difference to me. 🤍🤍🤍
@@livwithbiv Hi Brandi. Nice to talk to you again. I'm a little older than you and I feel you about having a slower pace as we get older. I went the NP route thinking that it might be easier to be away from the bedside as I was getting older but I discovered that the higher malpractice costs, longer hours and politics, I found it really wasn't a big difference in income vs. the hospital, a little overtime and a staff nurse could make the same salary not to mention going from three twelve hours shifts to five days a week shifts, I'm starting to think differently about leaving the hospital. Bottom line is, Brandi, if you're happy in the O.R., stay there. The hospital setting pays well and most importantly, you will never get the benefits from a private practice that you'll get from the hospital. You channel is growing well. Good to see you doing well. Thanks for the update. Be blessed.
Glisten &glow is on my must try list however, I believe it also has toluene. I currently alternate btwn sally hansen qdtc red bottle and seche vite. Seche vite IS smudge free on most stamping nail art except black and white. Seche vite chips when applied over water based (true smudge free) tc. Seche vite shrinks less with thin coats! Sally hansen will smudge nail art, but won't chip even applied over smudge free tc. I also have Orly shining armor - it leaves sheet marks by morning xxx. I also have Zoya ultra glossy seal - it's not remarkable compared to my other tc's, nor compared to its hype. It's a great polish none-the-less, and it's 50% off today for presidents day and 70%for their black Friday sale. It makes a great gift combo with colored polish with friends name.
Hey Katie!!! You are right!! Larissa shared with me that G & G also has Toluene. I'm trying to make sure everyone that watches is aware. It sucks that YT doesn't make it easy to change anything in the actual video. :( Sounds like you have tried out a ton of topcoats. So interesting to hear your thoughts on all of them!! Thank you so much for sharing. So interesting that Seche chips when applied over water based!!! So many cool things to learn about topcoats.
Great video. My go to TC is OPI Plumping followed by Essie Gel- Setter and Essie Gel Couture. I just tried ILNP Glass Candy and it looks awesome on my holo mani. It's shiny and dry time was good. I'm interested to see how long it will keep my mani chip free. The worst TCs IMO are made by Morgan Taylor and China Glaze although I love their polishes. Dam Nail Polish and KB Shimmer both make great glitter smoothing TCs.
Dam Nail Polish makes beautiful polishes as well. The ILNP Glass Candy TC only lasted 3 days without chipping. I will be sticking with my Essie topcoats and my OPI plumping TC.
Morgan Taylor Need for Speed and Glisten and Glow, are my favorites along with Essie Gel Setter (shine and longevity). Speed and gloss are my measuring factors. Honorable mention to Seche for the gloss but not the shrinkage or the use of Tulane. I love Orly but not their top coats. They just don't gloss.
Glisten and Glo also has toluene. I bought some for black Friday and I was surprised how strongly it smelled like airplane glue. I tried it twice and both times I got a headache. This made me more concerned about health impacts. Does it absorb into the blood stream etc... I usually buy Zoya Ultra Glossy when it's 70% -50% off sale making it $5 -8.50
Wow! What a great video! I LOVE Essie Gel Setter. It’s everything you said plus it smooths out bubbles. It’s amazing! I’m surprised that it doesn’t have better reviews and worry that Essie will stop making it. So I was glad to see it score so high in your tournament. 😁 I heard the same about Glisten & Glow so I got it (more for nail art) but I can’t handle the smell due to my chronic migraines. Same with Seche Vite and Orly Shining Armor. If Essie ever stops making Gel Setter, I’ll try their Gel Couture or Stay Longer.👍 Thanks so much for all your reviews and your comparisons. 🥰
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. I love all of the Essie topcoats. They really are great. I was informed that G & G actually has Toluene in it, so my tournament results are now open to interpretation!! LOL! I thought I had done my research, but I was wrong!!
@@livwithbiv No wonder. I can’t believe I missed that. G&G’s base coats and other top coats are 5 free, just like their polish, but not that one top coat. Thank you so much for telling me. I got Orly’s Shining Armor as a Color Pass bonus and I’m not sure what smells so strong in that one. 🤷♀️
Oooh!! Nice! How is it as far as drying time goes?! I'll have to check it out!!! Thanks so much for watching. Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv no worries. I’m a nurse too. If anything Is going to give me cancer it’s the caviwipes I’ve been raw dogging with my bare hands for almost 20 years. The olive Ave one dries about the same as the gel couture but it stays shiny longer.
It's such a great topcoat. Unfortunately, I'm a bad influence and don't use base coats as often as I should. Maybe this is incentive to use them more. Lol. Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@vilisalao yea! I do!!! I’ll use anything from a cotton T-shirt to a wash cloth. I like it more than cotton rounds because I always ended up with fuzzies on my nail from the rounds. I also feel like it removes polish better. It can be abrasive for my cuticles, so I try to use lots of oil after removing polish. 👍🏼
I'm so glad you enjoyed!! Turns out G & G also has Toluene in it, so the results are now open to interpretation. Sorry for any misinformation. I will still use it, but I know some people may choose otherwise.
Such fabulous information Brandi! I've tried them all except Glisten & Glow. Seche Vite shrinks so badly on me, I don't even have time to take a picture before you can see the line of demarcation. I love the Essie but it doesn't dry as fast as my favorite SH Instadri anti chip.
KB Shimmer - Clearly on Top is my fave! I was a seche vit die hard until I tried KB Shimmer. It dries just as fast but it's much more shiney! People always ask if I'm wearing gels. And it's only $6!
I buy my Quick Dry top coat from Vibrant Vinyls. Super quick, plus I get it scented in Coffee House! Amazing. I have also noticed if you use a Stamping Polish for nail art it tends to streak more than if you use a regular nail polish for nail art. Food for thought. 🙂
Glisten and Glow all the way. I used to use a SH mega shine in a silver bottle I have not seen in years.... have not tried SV, I found thw G&G and for the most part dont want to even try anything else. 5-10 days sure. Half way I reapply if I need polish to last a week.
Love it!! That topcoat is sooooo good!! Not sure if you saw all of my disclaimers, but I didn't realize it also had Toluene in it so the whole Tournament is basically a flop. Lol. In reality, tho, as I said with Seche, I still use products with Toluene. Thanks so much for watching, friend!! Hope you have a great week!
I’ve been using Essie Gel Couture since it came out. I’ve tried so many top coats and it is by far the best for me personally. I have a hard time keeping polish on but it will last me a good 7 days. My mother’s manicure can last 14 days with EGC!
Thank you for a great video. I have been using Essies gel setter, one from Essence, Wet set from Barry M and some from a Swedish brand called Scratch of Sweden. The last brand mentioned has a lot of good products for the nails. Love from Norway ❤
Anchor and Heart Lacquer's quick dry top coat is my favorite at the moment. I like the fast dry time of the Glisten & Glow top coat but I find that the brush is too large for me to get a nice application. The Anchor and Heart Lacquer tc has a nice clear paddle brush.
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv No worries. I think everyone can choose the top coat they like. Thanks for making sure everyone was aware of the G&G ingredients. I actually didn't realize it had toluene...
I find that the Glisten & Glow top coat not only shrank most of my manicures, I could only use half before it would start to get unusable because it was so goopy. Even with thinner, it never was quite right.
I've used essie GC for years but have a bottle of gel setter waiting so I'm glad to see it got a decent grade 😅 but now I'm really interested to try the SH anti chip since that one did well, and it's cheaper! I've been wanting to try the OPI plumping but I think I'll pass after hearing your thoughts about it. Thanks for the informative video!
My favorite top coat in all the world and for many years was the Sally Hansen MEGA SHINE Top Coat. For whatever reason, it was discontinued not long ago. There are others introduced by Sally Hansen since it was discontinued however none of them have the same ingredients that MEGA SHINE had but some are close to the same ingredients. I have never found a shinier more plumping glass-like topcoat like MEGA SHINE that lasts forever! I truly, truly miss it. Thank you so much for doing this video however as I am still searching for one like MEGA SHINE and yes I have tried the other Sally Hansen's, just none are the same darn it 🙂
I feel like I remember seeing that topcoat back in the day! So sad for you that they discontinued it. That's the worst! Thanks so much for watching the video. I'm going through all of the topcoats to make sure everyone is aware... Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Hey…thanks for being a nurse. I’m happy I just get to enjoy your videos as I turn into a freakin demon with needles but I’m still very thankful there are those willing to handle us needle freaks.
I’m also very meh about the shining armor and sec n dry as well! Got them for free with my color pass and just use them on my swatch sticks since I don’t care for them much 😂
I haven't seen the video yet but I use the seche one! It's my go-to. And I've been wanting to try glisten and glow after hearing Laurie from go polished and others rave about it
Glisten & Glow is soooo good!!! I was actually informed that G & G has Toluene in it too. I wasn't aware, so now the results are kinda open to interpretation. Lol. As I said with Seche Vite, I still use it despite the fact that it contains Toluene. ❤
@@livwithbiv it seriously has been. This is my 3rd or 4th time to come back and reference it. Target has a BOGO 25% off the second item right now for most of the polish stuff.
I hope you take this as constructive feedback: - You've included products you didn't test. - The reasons people wear top coat are: shine and durability. Yes, how fast it dries changes the process, but if you do not test for A. Shine after it's dry. B. Shine after 3 or 4 days C. Durability Without measurements on that criteria, the video looses its purpose. All of us can figure out how expensive a polish is. Just mention the price, but don't let it be a deciding factor on choosing the best one. We can make that decision.
$17 for a top coat? And I've recently seen a $30 price tag for a nail polish. I forget the brand name because it wasn't something I was motivated to remember!
I'll have to check that one out!!! I'm going through and letting everyone know the following in my comments... Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Glisten & Glow also contains toluene. Not sure why that’s not more well known considering it’s popularity and that it clearly says so on their website.
Glisten & Glow top coat is my newest obsession! It’s not only super shiny, quick drying, but it’s also long lasting! I highly recommend it!!
It's sooooooo goooooood!!! I'm sharing the following with everyone that commented and watched already...
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Essie Gel Couture top coat is my favorite, it's super shiny, and dries quick enough for me, I even use it under matte top coat. I can easily go 10-14 days, but I hardly ever do because after 3-4 days I itch for a new color. I use this top coat no matter what brand of nail polish I use. It's a pricy top coat here in Norway, but the site I buy from regularly have 3 for the price of 2 sales, that way I get 33% off
Another Norway friend??? Love it!!! Essie GC is sooo good. I'm the same with wanting to change colors. Even if I didn't swatch polish, I would want to change colors every 2-3 days. Lol. Thanks so much for watching! Also, please see below for a disclaimer I'm sharing with everyone...
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv Essie is sold eveywhere here, other popular brands are Isadora and H&M. We have a lot more brands, but not as easily available in stores, but we have a few online stores with great selections
Kjøper du fra Lyko? ❤
I want it ALL: long wearing, quick dry, doesn't smear nail art, cruelty-free! I did try the Glisten & Glow, and it was good, but after a while it thickened up & started shrinking my manicure. It was like the indie version of Seche Vite! I haven't tried the Orly topcoats you reviewed, but I did try 1 that seemed really thin and showed brush strokes when dry (Polishield maybe?). Not a fan. Right now I've been using Morgan Taylor Need For Speed, and I like it pretty well.
Thanks so much for watching!!! I really need to check out the Morgan Taylor topcoat. I’ve heard a lot of great things about it!
@@livwithbiv It's not the Holy Grail, but it is pretty quick drying and glossy. It CAN smear nail art (esp. red polish for some reason), so I have to be careful how I apply it in that case.
Hi, Glisten & Glow topcoat is very shiny and quickly dries, i've been using it on most of my mani's for the past year. I am all about the shine and quick drying time. But I also love Essie gel setter for its very shiny and makes the nails look like you are wearing a gel polish, when i wear it people are always asking what color gel i have on my nails. Love the video❤. Have a great week friend!!!🥰
Hey Tahiesha!! Those two are so great!! I’m all about the fast dry and shine too. 🤍 Great choices for faves! Enjoy your week!!!! 💋
I have tried to many different ones, Seche vite, glisten and glow, duri cosmetic fast dry, cuccio top coat, Mavala (Switzerland) Morgan Taylor need for speed, Essie top coats, out the door, China Glaze fast forward. But my favorite for long wear is Duri Cosmetics express top coat, plus it is 7 free, although, I do like Mavala but it is more expensive, the pros for these two are they don’t get thick at 1/2 a bottle left.
Ooooh!! Some more options to try out!!!
Thanks for such a great video. Not many people tackle the battle of the topcoats! :) My favorite top coat to date is Essie Gel Couture - it's easy to work with (shiny, quick drying, long lasting, next day is rock hard finish but doesn't get brittle over time, thick and glossy but not too thick that it gets stringy fast, no shrinking if you cap your tips, gives consistent results every time and "fixes" difficult polish formulas - it just works with everything). I usually buy the twin pack online from Target. For some reason, I just can't get Seche Vite to work for me and get varying results each time, it seems to not play nice with certain formulas and shrinks for me no matter if I apply while polish is wet and cap edges (maybe I got an off bottle?). Zoya's Ultra Glossy Seal is very good but doesn't dry as hard in 12 hrs as Essie G.C. in my experience and the cost is way too much if there isn't a sale. I have heard great things about Glisten & Glow and have an order of their Glitter Grabber and Top Coat on the way. I'm hoping it's as good or better than Essie G.C. because the price is great!
Thank you so much! It was definitely a tough battle to tackle!! Lol. After all of that, turns out G & G actually has Toluene in it too, so I'm kinda glad I didn't choose one fave!! I'm going through and making sure everyone is aware. As I said in my video, I still use Seche Vite despite it containing Toluene, but I didn't move it forward because of that. Hope that doesn't change your mind about G & G! Lmk your thoughts after picking it up!!
I’m looking for quick drying and no sheet prints in the morning since I do my nails at night! I like Seche Vite and Glisten and Glow. I like the fact that I can buy Seche Vite in the store and don’t need to order it online like Glisten and Glow. I did buy ILNP, but haven’t tried it yet. I’m nervous to try it, I heard from someone that it doesn’t dry hard fast enough and they ended up with sheet prints. I really should just try it and see for myself. I may love it! 🤷🏻♀️
Yes!!!! Sheet marks are the worst!!! I feel like the ILNP may not dry fast and hard enough for you. Lmk your thoughts after you use it!!
My main concern for a top coat is how quickly it dries and so far, Glisten & Glow is the best--dries/hardens very well, quickly, and looks great for almost a full week. I find that not only the Seche Vite but also the Orly Shining Armor pucker up/shrink on me, which is too bad (but then, the Orly's pretty pricey, too!). Thanks for doing these comparisons!
I really love Glisten & Glow too!! I'm letting everyone know the following...(it won't change my thoughts on G & G tho)! It's so good.
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
My fav top coat is INM Out the door. Blows sech vite out of the water. My go to for years. I have no reason to look for anything better. Shiny, lasts well, quick dry, no shrinkage.
I’ll have to check that one out!
I think most Zoya consumers are like me. I never pay full price because I just wait for their 50% off sales and stock up then.
Gotcha. That makes sense. I was so shocked to see that price!!
@@livwithbiv They have some sort of sale at least every other month. This weekend was another 50% off sale (ends at midnight).
duri miracote is a fast dry - but it doesnt get dry and goopy- it stays fluid - no idea how, but it does, and i love it!!
Poshé, Salón Perfect Plumping Gel and Out the door are my absolute favorites.
I'll have to check those out! Thanks so much for watching!!!
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv yes. I saw your post. As far as I know these ones are toluene free.
Hi Brandi, thanks for this great review. I am always on the lookout for a great topcoat. My go to for a while now is Out the Door. It might take five minutes or more to dry. But no bubbles, and super shiny. I can get about 5-6 days of wear if I don't start scratching at my polish. I have tried the Sally Hansen in the red bottle, it always leaves little bubbles suspended in the topcoat layer, although it is super fast. Another one I like a lot is the H&M plumping topcoat. It is super shiny, and dries in less than five minutes, no bubbles. But H&M are only available online. I'm so sorry they dropped the polish from their stores. H&M had the most beautiful saturated colors. Love your videos.
Hi Bonnie!! Thanks so much for watching!! I’ll definitely have to check out Out the Door. ❤️❤️❤️
I’ve been wanting to try Glisten and Glow! My go-to is Seche Vive in the blue bottle. Have you tried that one?
I haven't! I'll have to check that one out! Thanks so much for watching, Whitney.
Just an FYI, I have since been made aware that G & G also contains Toluene. I feel like I need to let everyone know since that was the main reason for Seche Vite to be cut out. Thus, the tournament results are open to interpretation now. Lol.
Seche Vite is my favorite easily lasts 7 days for me and it’s cheap to buy in bulk on Amazon. But I understand your reasoning for not moving it on. Works well for me. Thanks for the video helpful to find out about Orly shining Armour.
So, plot twist...apparently G & G also has Toluene!!!! I'm trying to go back and edit everything so people are aware. I had no idea! I'm glad I chose 4 topcoats for the best. Lol. As I said in the video, Toluene will not stop me from using a topcoat. If it's good, I'll still use it. I do want everyone to be aware tho. 😀
Love the Zoya Ultra Glossy Seal, I get 1-2 bottles when they do 50%-70% sales and stock up. I love Seche Vive Gel Effect, and actually the Londontown Gel Genius Top coat pairs well with their Lakurs. I'd be curious to try the OPI Plumping!
Such a great deal to get the Zoya with their sale!!! Need to try the others you mentioned out!!
I’ve gotten 8 days out of the ILNP! It wasn’t even chipped then, I just wanted to change polish. Also the Zoya one is expensive but usually they give you free shipping if you add it to your order, which brings it down to around $10.
That’s amazing!!! Both the lasting time of the ILNP and the Zoya topcoat discount!! 🙌🏻
Great video! I love Essie gel setter and Essie good to go at the moment. They could last more than a week without chipping. They get a bit thicker over time though. I've been very curious about trying Essie Gel Couture and Glisten & Glow. Thanks for sharing your experience🤗
Thanks so much for watching!! I feel like I tried Good to Go and used a whole bottle years ago. If I remember correctly, I really enjoyed it too!! I am going through and making everyone aware of the following...
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv thanks for the clarification! 🩷
I don't know how easy it is for you to get Barry M products (UK) in your part of the world but their "Wet Set" is one of my all-time favourites. That or Essie Gel Couture are my go-to top coats.
Hey Josh!! I've never heard of that brand! I'll have to check it out to see if it's available here. Essie GC is soooo good. Thanks so much for watching!! See below for a little disclaimer...
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv I think you might be able to get them from LookFantastic over your neck of the woods.
@@JTThumpington yes!!!! Found them!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻 Thank you!!!
That's my favourite too, I stocked up during one of their sales and I love it!
@@mariaceleste1915 must be a great one!!!!
My go to top coat is the OPI Plumping Top Coat , I have got about 7 to 8 days of wear at times and it is so super glossy . I’m also impressed with the new Nature Strong one again I got 7 days with no visible signs of wear and I found it dried relatively fast . If I want a speed dry top coat the fastest I’ve ever tried is the Nails Inc 45 sec Top Coat , says 45 but I find it’s touch dry I about 30 and it’s really hard wearing x
I may have to try OPI Plumping Top Coat
Oh wow! That 45 sec tc sounds like a dream!! I may have to check that one out.
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
This is such a great video Brandi. There's some interesting results you got as well.
Thank you so much!! It was fun to do!!!!
Glisten and Glo is great for swatch sticks! Really protects color clarity from being banged around in my purse or swatch box.
I love that I’m not the only one with swatch sticks in my purse 😂
Good to know!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Thank you so much for all this work! I usually use Seche Vite or Glisten & Glow. I feel like I have so many other choices if I want something new! Your the best!!
Awwwww. Thank you for watching!!!!
I really love the Essie Gel Setter Top Coat since it seems to not only gloss over any dents, but also makes my nails look like they are super glassy.
I did notice however, that my manicure does not last as long when I re-top them with Gel Setter after 4 days.
Instead, I've had much better results with a more watery formula top coat from Pacifica. When I use that, I can usually push my regular manicure to ~10 days 🎉
Oh wow, Anna!! I’ll have to check out that topcoat!!
I tried that orly shining armor and mine was also dull and actually took forever to dry! Glisten and Glow is my current fave. I really need that fast dry time lol.
Hey Hannah!! Thanks for watching. I'm glad someone else had the same experience with the Orly topcoat. It was sooo dull!! Larissa just let me know that G & G also has Toluene in it, so my whole tournament is now open to interpretation on whether you want to use Toluene or not. I will still use it, but I know some people prefer not to.
@@livwithbiv I was pretty sure I’d read that, but that’s for the confirmation! I’m still comfortable using it. Now you don’t have to feel bad about loving your seche vite 😜💕
@@hannahj0elle right?!?!?! Lol!!!
i tried shining armor, and i had the exact same experience!!
I use out the door. It dries pretty fast, it's thicker when it has a fourth of the bottle gone. and it's long lasting protection and shine.
Another one I need to check out!!!
That was a fantastic video Brandi!!🙂My favorite top coat is the Orly Sec n Dry. It's super fast drying for me and I like that I can use up the whole 18ml bottle without it becoming goopy. And no shrinkage to report. Like you said, there are so many factors of how some fast drying top coats can work for someone and not for someone else.💖
Hey Caroline-ine!!!! Maybe I’ll have to give another bottle of Sec N Dry a try!!!
So far I have used Orly Sec n Dry twice in the last few weeks, and it's the most impressive for not shrinking. I have it on right now for five days, and it looks almost as good as day 1. The blue bottle Seche shrinks on the tips, and Essie Gel Couture seems to shrink at the cuticle. It could be that I have on many layers of polish. The Salon Perfect Glitter smoother is pretty good too. I heard from Caitlyn Swatches that she likes Cuticula's top coat the best, and I am ordering it and Glisten & Glow to try out. I find that when the top coat shrinks it may have an edge that gets me starting to pick at. Sometimes I add another coat of top coat after a couple of days to refresh the shine. God bless the nurses.
Holo Taco Glossy Taco is my favourite top coat! It is 5-free and definitely makes my manicure last longer! Super shiny and very quick-drying as well. I have tried the ILNP top coat but it took forever to dry on me and chipped within 2 days. Holo Taco for sure is the best in my opinion!
I’ll have to check that one out!! Thanks for sharing, Ashley!!
I had just ordered it, so I look forward to trying it out. I also ordered Cuticula's top coat. Right now the Orly Sec n Dry is the best I have for not shrinking.
Ich möchte dir Danke sagen. Ich schaue dich seit längerem und bin begeistert von deinen Videos und deinem Elan. Auch wenn ich meine Englisch sehr schlecht ist ( bin 65 Jahre alt), sehe ich genau was du sagst. Deine Augen sagen alles. Ganz liebe Grüße aus Deutschland 🙂
Omg, you’re the sweetest!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!!!! 💗💗💗💗
I’ve used the Insta Dri Anti Chip (red bottle!) in the past and while I do usually love that topcoat, I found it will bubble a lot for whatever reason. Especially if it’s even remotely warm because of the climate. It also gets very thick (more than others I have used) down the bottle.
If you can keep your painting climate in great condition though I will concede it is an amazing topcoat.
So interesting. Thanks for sharing!!
Might I recommend Stella Chroma as well as another indie and non-toluene fast dry top coat? Their Fast Fingers top coat was recently reformulated and it does dry very fast, however I cannot speak personally if it causes any shrinkage as I don't think I've tested it enough to say for certain. Holo Taco's super glossy top coat is a another strong contender for a very fast drying top coat but that one does have toluene too.
Thanks for the recommendation!!! I’ll have to check it out!!!
My favorite is Londontown Flash Dry Top Coat. Super shiny and stays shiny for about 6 or 7 days with no chipping. Yes, it's more expensive but that's what I choose to splurge on. For a drugstore brand the Sally Hansen in the red bottle is my favorite. I've tried Glisten and Glow but the smell is way too strong for me. Great video, Brandi!
Hey Jane!!! Thanks so much for watching. I really need to try out that Londontown tc!!
Sorry about Seche Vite, which I've been using--because of my need for speed. I just looked up Glisten & Glow and discovered this: "Glisten & Glow Top Coat is a 2 free product. It does NOT contain DBP, Camphor, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde resin. It does contain Toulene."
Yes!!! Polishlabrat also shared that with me! Now my results are all messed up! lol. Thanks for sharing!!! I tried to put some captions in my video to let people know, and changed my description. Thank you.
@@livwithbiv Disappointing to discover this. I used Cutex's top coat before learning how good Seche Vite is, and I still use the Cutex one, now and again.
@@evayaaasantewaa448 I’ve never tried the Cutex one before!!
@@livwithbiv I tried finding the Cutex ingredients online. No luck so far. But I see (from the bottle) that it's a Revlon product. That might tell us something.
@@evayaaasantewaa448 oh interesting!!!! Is it maybe being discontinued??
Oooh great video idea! I usually use two top coats, one regular clear coat and then a quick drying top coat. My manicure will last 7 to ten days. But I do use gloves when my hands have to be in water. Sally Hansen red bottle and insta dri are great.
Thank you!! Thanks so much for watching!! That's a great idea to do a regular clear coat and then a quick dry coat. I love that idea.
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Its not just you regarding the orly topcoat. I like their polish and orly bonder but I've never liked their topcoats. Shining armor was really disappointing. I like glisten n glow or vibrant vinyls for glossy quick drying topcoats, but I find that olive and June regular top coat gives me super long wear. However it's really slow drying, so I paint my nails with one of the quick dry topcoats and then the next day I use a layer of olive and June. I'm curious to try the Essie gel couture
Hey Danielle!!! So glad I’m not the only one with the Orly topcoats!! I’ve never heard of Vibrant Vinyls! Will have to check that out. Thanks so much for watching!!!
Hi from TN! I know I’m a little late on this video, but I found it as fast as I could!😂 I had to go a spell without polish and all my top coats went thick on me, so I have to buy new. I saw this vid and trust your opinion when weighing my options and choosing colors. I love OPI Plumping TC for its shine and thick gel-like look. I have never had a problem with its durability. Seche Vite is my second fave, but it goes thick pretty fast for me. A word about SV - when using a fairly fresh bottle of SV, if I apply base coat and time it for 2 mins, 2 coats of color with 2 mins between each (not a second longer!) then apply the SV, i don’t get shrinkage. If my color dries any longer, I get shrinkage. I also get shrinkage with SV when it starts to thicken in the bottle with age. I love all your videos and your sparkling personality. Thank you for all your hard work.
Hello to you in TN!!!! Thank you for the helpful hints on SV!!! Will be good to share with others that have shrinkage. 💖 And thank you for watching. Welcome back to having fun with nail polish!! 🙌🏻
If you can find nail thinner where you live, it can save your top coat. Just add a few drops at a time mixing it in until you get the right consistency.
Hi Brandi. I follow you on your UA-cam channel. I am a fellow Nurse also and I want to thank you for following up on my suggestion by doing a video on the best sheer nail polishes, if you recall, I mentioned that I only wear Essie Marshmallow, Essie Waltz and OPI' s Funny Bunny just because I prefer a more neutral white polish especially in the Hospital setting; and you were nice enough to make a video on the best sheers in which you included Marshmallow and Funny Bunny. Thanks for the video. Brandi, I am just reaching out because you said you're working in the O.R. now and I remember that you used to work in Critical Care / I.C.U. Your trajectory was the exact opposite of mine. I started in the O.R., the switched to Critical Care, then became a Nurse Practitioner, but I still work part time at the bedside because hospital benefits are much better than what private practice offers. Just wondering, do you like O.R. better than I.C.U. and are you afraid that you might lose some of your critical thinking skills being that as a Circulating RN your dealing more with instruments and the Critical Care skills like intraoperative blood transfusions and vasopressors are being handled by the Anesthesiologist. That's a big reason why I switched from O.R. to I.C.U. What do you think. Just wondering, from one seasoned Nurse to another. Thanks for your response. Nursing is truly a family. Our work is so important, yet I feel that we're so unappreciated at times. Thanks again, your Sister in the Nursing trenches.
Hey fellow nurse friend!!! So good to hear from you! I actually used to work in OB instead of Critical Care. I personally love working as a circulator in the OR now. I actually do pacu as well. It’s like the best of both worlds! I feel like this is more my speed as I’m getting older. And I love the people I work with. That’s what makes the biggest difference to me. 🤍🤍🤍
@@livwithbiv Hi Brandi. Nice to talk to you again. I'm a little older than you and I feel you about having a slower pace as we get older. I went the NP route thinking that it might be easier to be away from the bedside as I was getting older but I discovered that the higher malpractice costs, longer hours and politics, I found it really wasn't a big difference in income vs. the hospital, a little overtime and a staff nurse could make the same salary not to mention going from three twelve hours shifts to five days a week shifts, I'm starting to think differently about leaving the hospital. Bottom line is, Brandi, if you're happy in the O.R., stay there. The hospital setting pays well and most importantly, you will never get the benefits from a private practice that you'll get from the hospital. You channel is growing well. Good to see you doing well. Thanks for the update. Be blessed.
Glisten &glow is on my must try list however, I believe it also has toluene. I currently alternate btwn sally hansen qdtc red bottle and seche vite. Seche vite IS smudge free on most stamping nail art except black and white. Seche vite chips when applied over water based (true smudge free) tc. Seche vite shrinks less with thin coats! Sally hansen will smudge nail art, but won't chip even applied over smudge free tc. I also have Orly shining armor - it leaves sheet marks by morning xxx. I also have Zoya ultra glossy seal - it's not remarkable compared to my other tc's, nor compared to its hype. It's a great polish none-the-less, and it's 50% off today for presidents day and 70%for their black Friday sale. It makes a great gift combo with colored polish with friends name.
Hey Katie!!! You are right!! Larissa shared with me that G & G also has Toluene. I'm trying to make sure everyone that watches is aware. It sucks that YT doesn't make it easy to change anything in the actual video. :(
Sounds like you have tried out a ton of topcoats. So interesting to hear your thoughts on all of them!! Thank you so much for sharing. So interesting that Seche chips when applied over water based!!! So many cool things to learn about topcoats.
Great video. My go to TC is OPI Plumping followed by Essie Gel- Setter and Essie Gel Couture. I just tried ILNP Glass Candy and it looks awesome on my holo mani. It's shiny and dry time was good. I'm interested to see how long it will keep my mani chip free. The worst TCs IMO are made by Morgan Taylor and China Glaze although I love their polishes. Dam Nail Polish and KB Shimmer both make great glitter smoothing TCs.
Ooooh!! I’ve never tried Dam before. I’ll have to check that brand out!
Dam Nail Polish makes beautiful polishes as well. The ILNP Glass Candy TC only lasted 3 days without chipping. I will be sticking with my Essie topcoats and my OPI plumping TC.
Morgan Taylor Need for Speed and Glisten and Glow, are my favorites along with Essie Gel Setter (shine and longevity). Speed and gloss are my measuring factors. Honorable mention to Seche for the gloss but not the shrinkage or the use of Tulane. I love Orly but not their top coats. They just don't gloss.
Hey Frieda!! I need to check out the MT topcoat! I’m a speed and gloss girl too, so sounds like it will be right up my alley!
Glisten and Glo also has
toluene. I bought some for black Friday and I was surprised how strongly it smelled like airplane glue. I tried it twice and both times I got a headache. This made me more concerned about health impacts. Does it absorb into the blood stream etc... I usually buy Zoya Ultra Glossy when it's 70% -50% off sale making it $5 -8.50
Did it show up for you that I edited that Glisten & Glow has Toluene in it??
Wow! What a great video! I LOVE Essie Gel Setter. It’s everything you said plus it smooths out bubbles. It’s amazing! I’m surprised that it doesn’t have better reviews and worry that Essie will stop making it. So I was glad to see it score so high in your tournament. 😁 I heard the same about Glisten & Glow so I got it (more for nail art) but I can’t handle the smell due to my chronic migraines. Same with Seche Vite and Orly Shining Armor. If Essie ever stops making Gel Setter, I’ll try their Gel Couture or Stay Longer.👍 Thanks so much for all your reviews and your comparisons. 🥰
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. I love all of the Essie topcoats. They really are great. I was informed that G & G actually has Toluene in it, so my tournament results are now open to interpretation!! LOL! I thought I had done my research, but I was wrong!!
@@livwithbiv No wonder. I can’t believe I missed that. G&G’s base coats and other top coats are 5 free, just like their polish, but not that one top coat. Thank you so much for telling me. I got Orly’s Shining Armor as a Color Pass bonus and I’m not sure what smells so strong in that one. 🤷♀️
@@Night_Owl247 so interesting that other G & G products don’t have Toluene!!
Love gel couture but I’ve recently started using Olive Ave’s and it’s my new favorite.
Oooh!! Nice! How is it as far as drying time goes?! I'll have to check it out!!! Thanks so much for watching.
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv no worries. I’m a nurse too. If anything Is going to give me cancer it’s the caviwipes I’ve been raw dogging with my bare hands for almost 20 years.
The olive Ave one dries about the same as the gel couture but it stays shiny longer.
@@tracyaf6084 lol!!!! Yassss!!! SAME!! 🤣🤣
And sounds like I need to try Olive Ave!!
Essie gel couture is my favorite. Please make a video on the base coat as well
It's such a great topcoat. Unfortunately, I'm a bad influence and don't use base coats as often as I should. Maybe this is incentive to use them more. Lol.
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
I saw that you used a Rag to remove your nail polish. What material were you using? Do you like it better than cotton rounds?
@@vilisalao yea! I do!!! I’ll use anything from a cotton T-shirt to a wash cloth. I like it more than cotton rounds because I always ended up with fuzzies on my nail from the rounds. I also feel like it removes polish better. It can be abrasive for my cuticles, so I try to use lots of oil after removing polish. 👍🏼
@livwithbiv thank you 😊.
enjoyed that really informative
I'm so glad you enjoyed!! Turns out G & G also has Toluene in it, so the results are now open to interpretation. Sorry for any misinformation. I will still use it, but I know some people may choose otherwise.
Such fabulous information Brandi! I've tried them all except Glisten & Glow. Seche Vite shrinks so badly on me, I don't even have time to take a picture before you can see the line of demarcation. I love the Essie but it doesn't dry as fast as my favorite SH Instadri anti chip.
Yes!!!! That SH is soooo good!!!!
KB Shimmer - Clearly on Top is my fave! I was a seche vit die hard until I tried KB Shimmer. It dries just as fast but it's much more shiney! People always ask if I'm wearing gels. And it's only $6!
Hi Rebecca!! Did you have any problems with your brush getting bushy with the KB shimmer??
I buy my Quick Dry top coat from Vibrant Vinyls. Super quick, plus I get it scented in Coffee House! Amazing. I have also noticed if you use a Stamping Polish for nail art it tends to streak more than if you use a regular nail polish for nail art. Food for thought. 🙂
I really need to check that out!!!! You can get it scented?!?!?! Amazing!!!
I've always used Seche Vite fast dry topcoat. And for a base coat
Oops I use for a base coat Beauty Secrets. I find both of them at Sally Beauty and they're quite affordable
Such a great polish!!!
Glisten and Glow all the way. I used to use a SH mega shine in a silver bottle I have not seen in years.... have not tried SV, I found thw G&G and for the most part dont want to even try anything else. 5-10 days sure. Half way I reapply if I need polish to last a week.
Love it!! That topcoat is sooooo good!! Not sure if you saw all of my disclaimers, but I didn't realize it also had Toluene in it so the whole Tournament is basically a flop. Lol. In reality, tho, as I said with Seche, I still use products with Toluene. Thanks so much for watching, friend!! Hope you have a great week!
I’ve been using Essie Gel Couture since it came out. I’ve tried so many top coats and it is by far the best for me personally. I have a hard time keeping polish on but it will last me a good 7 days. My mother’s manicure can last 14 days with EGC!
That’s so amazing!!!! Great to hear other people love it so much too!!
Thank you for a great video. I have been using Essies gel setter, one from Essence, Wet set from Barry M and some from a Swedish brand called Scratch of Sweden. The last brand mentioned has a lot of good products for the nails. Love from Norway ❤
Thank you so much for watching!!! It’s always fun to hear the faves from others…especially in different countries!! ❤️❤️❤️
Anchor and Heart Lacquer's quick dry top coat is my favorite at the moment. I like the fast dry time of the Glisten & Glow top coat but I find that the brush is too large for me to get a nice application. The Anchor and Heart Lacquer tc has a nice clear paddle brush.
I've never heard of that brand!! Time to check it out!!
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
@@livwithbiv No worries. I think everyone can choose the top coat they like. Thanks for making sure everyone was aware of the G&G ingredients. I actually didn't realize it had toluene...
@@marissaakins6546 you’re welcome!!
Love the Seche Vite! Any one you think is better? Love SV quick dry and staying power. Hit me with something better…love options!
It really it so good!!!! I feel like G & G is super comparable.
I find that the Glisten & Glow top coat not only shrank most of my manicures, I could only use half before it would start to get unusable because it was so goopy. Even with thinner, it never was quite right.
I’ve experienced a lot of quick dry topcoats doing the same once they’re half gone. 😢 I think it’s whatever they use in them to make them fast drying.
I've used essie GC for years but have a bottle of gel setter waiting so I'm glad to see it got a decent grade 😅 but now I'm really interested to try the SH anti chip since that one did well, and it's cheaper! I've been wanting to try the OPI plumping but I think I'll pass after hearing your thoughts about it. Thanks for the informative video!
Hi Jenn!! Glad you enjoyed!! Lmk your thoughts on Gel Setter and SH if you have a chance to try them out! Hope you love them as much as I do. 🤍
Love the Glisten & Glow topcoat. Been a fan for many many years. I also like the kbshimmer topcoat also.
Yes to G & G!!! Did you have any issues with the KB Shimmer brush??
@@livwithbiv I actually did not. My brush on the kbshimmer topcoat is a wide brush. I like it better than the glisten and glow brush.
@@livwithbiv I actually did not. My brush on the kbshimmer topcoat is a wide brush. I like it better than the glisten and glow brush.
@@kspencer2115 maybe I got a bad bottle. Mine got so bushy after using it a few times. Lol
@@livwithbiv I’ve been there before lol
My favorite top coat in all the world and for many years was the Sally Hansen MEGA SHINE Top Coat. For whatever reason, it was discontinued not long ago. There are others introduced by Sally Hansen since it was discontinued however none of them have the same ingredients that MEGA SHINE had but some are close to the same ingredients. I have never found a shinier more plumping glass-like topcoat like MEGA SHINE that lasts forever! I truly, truly miss it. Thank you so much for doing this video however as I am still searching for one like MEGA SHINE and yes I have tried the other Sally Hansen's, just none are the same darn it 🙂
I feel like I remember seeing that topcoat back in the day! So sad for you that they discontinued it. That's the worst! Thanks so much for watching the video. I'm going through all of the topcoats to make sure everyone is aware...
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Yesssss! Me too! In thw silver bottle!
@@birdlovespaint YES! That was it. I miss it so much ❤
Where do you purchase the Glisten and Glow?
It’s only available on their website unfortunately.
😮😮I work in the hospital too. I have to say the Sally Hansen Insta dry gave me bubbles. I still love Seche vite top coat 👏🤗
Seche is such a classic!!!
Hey…thanks for being a nurse. I’m happy I just get to enjoy your videos as I turn into a freakin demon with needles but I’m still very thankful there are those willing to handle us needle freaks.
Lol!!!! Glad you enjoy the videos!!!
I’m also very meh about the shining armor and sec n dry as well! Got them for free with my color pass and just use them on my swatch sticks since I don’t care for them much 😂
Yea!!! So glad so many others feel the same about those!!
I haven't seen the video yet but I use the seche one! It's my go-to. And I've been wanting to try glisten and glow after hearing Laurie from go polished and others rave about it
Yes!!!! Those are both so good!!!!
Seche Vite is my number one and I put Cuccio High Gloss Top Coat on it, perfect
I’ve never used the Cuccio Tc!! I’ll have to check it out!
The Orly Shining Armour has been such a disappointment! It peels my polish within 2-3 days and I don’t have that problem with Essie. ❤
I’ve heard so many negative reviews of that topcoat. Maybe they will decide to improve it after so many complaints. 🙌🏻
Zoya is way overpriced. I actually don't buy their polishes anymore because of the fact that they charge extra for a wide brush!
Yes!!! Super frustrating!!!!
Seche vite used to be my favorite up untilI tried glisten and glow now i buy the big bottle
Glisten & Glow is soooo good!!! I was actually informed that G & G has Toluene in it too. I wasn't aware, so now the results are kinda open to interpretation. Lol. As I said with Seche Vite, I still use it despite the fact that it contains Toluene. ❤
I keep coming back to reference the top coat bracket!
Oh yaaaay!!! That makes me happy!! Glad it’s helpful!! 🫶🏼
@@livwithbiv it seriously has been. This is my 3rd or 4th time to come back and reference it. Target has a BOGO 25% off the second item right now for most of the polish stuff.
I hope you take this as constructive feedback:
- You've included products you didn't test.
- The reasons people wear top coat are: shine and durability. Yes, how fast it dries changes the process, but if you do not test for
A. Shine after it's dry.
B. Shine after 3 or 4 days
C. Durability
Without measurements on that criteria, the video looses its purpose. All of us can figure out how expensive a polish is. Just mention the price, but don't let it be a deciding factor on choosing the best one. We can make that decision.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback! Thank you so much!!!
Ilove essie good to go for the shine.Hi from Amsterdam.
I haven’t tried that way for a while! I’ll have to try it out again!!
$17 for a top coat? And I've recently seen a $30 price tag for a nail polish. I forget the brand name because it wasn't something I was motivated to remember!
WOW!!!! That is an outrageous price for a nail polish!!
Sally Hansen Insta dry (red bottle) is just fantastic
It really is!!!
Eternal gel top coat is amazing & cheap
I'll have to check that one out!!! I'm going through and letting everyone know the following in my comments...
Just wanted to make you aware that the results are now open to interpretation. I have been made aware that G & G also has Toluene in it. I'm going through comments to make sure everyone is aware so I don't spread misinformation. ❤
Glisten & Glow also contains toluene. Not sure why that’s not more well known considering it’s popularity and that it clearly says so on their website.
Yes, I stated that in the description after the fact. 🤣🤦🏻♀️