The Search for the Super Top Coat

Over the last few months I have been on a mission to find a top coat that will not fail me and do what it says it will do...or at least do something. For about a year I was madly in love with Chi Ceramic Top Coat.

CHI Ceramic Nail Treatment Top Coat provides high gloss retention for shiny nails.

Product Benefits:
Patented long lasting wear formula
Silk for added shine and ease of application
Nano Silver kills bacteria and fungus
UV Protection to help against color fading and keep color fresh

This stuff was the business! Not only did my nails dry super fast but my manicure lasted easily for 5-6 days. But alas like all polishes it got all thick and nasty so I thinned it out with my trusty Super Nail Nail Polish Thinner. Apparently nail polish thinner is kyropnite to the Chi and it never worked the same again. So instead of getting another bottle I decided to see what else is out there.

I tried Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat is acknowledged as the world's finest top coat. Its patented formula allows it to penetrate through the nail lacquer to the base coat forming a single solid coating over the nail plate for a much more durable finish which is guaranteed not to yellow. Seche Vite is unmatched as a top coat leaving the nail silky feeling, stronger, more durable, absolutely will not chip and creates the highest gloss of any product on the market today. 

Lies all lies I tell you!! 2 hours after doing my nails they chipped, the next day I literally could peel off my manicure. When I say peel I mean the whole thing comes off is one shot. Maybe it was due to me not mastering the fine art of Seche Vite application…

Apply thickly, get a nice bead on the end of the brush, then set softly down on the first nail painted and watch how Seche Vite flows over the wet nail polish self levels and will not drag or streak the underlying manicure. It takes time to master the application and when perfected it is possible to apply in only three strokes...keep trying.

They lost me after set softly, are we still talking about nail polish? Who has time for all of that!! I will say this for Seche Vite it does dry extremely fast, like in seconds.

So now I am going to give Sally Hansen’s Diamond Strength Diamond Shine Base andTop Coat a shot.

100% Pure Shine!
10 Day Superior Wear for Any Nail Color!
Breakthrough liquid diamond treatment is a quick-drying chip preventer that extends the wear of ANY nail color for up to 10 days.
As a bonding base coat, this exclusive formula seals the nail surface, leaving a smooth diamond hard finish that grips nail color for up to 10 days.
As a superior top coat, smudge-proof formula penetrates manicure layers and quickly dries to protect nail color with a brilliant multi-faceted diamond shine finish.
Salon Tested - Dermatologist Tested.

Sally has never failed me yet. Her products will literally turn your nails into tiny blades of steel so we’ll see if the “breakthrough liquid diamond treatment” is more than just creative advertising.

Day 1, left hand…

Right hand…

12 comments:

B said...

Dang your nails are long! I want some loooong nails too.

Wait a minute...you don't like Seche Vite? Really? It's the only top coat that I used it and it works wonders for me. I usually don't apply it until a day after I polish the first 2 coats of polish. I am going to try CHI's though. I'm going to Sally's after work!

You would think coming up with a decent top coat would be simple. Ugh!

August 22, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Anonymous said...

Yeah, I only use Seche on my toes, it chips for me superfast.

The best I've found so far is Poshe. (CVS $7) but you only get halfway through it before it starts getting super thick.

August 22, 2008 at 12:38 PM
yummy411 said...

wow i heard such great things about seche.. too bad... your nails are so beautiful.. could u tell us the color? LOL

August 22, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Anonymous said...

I want to know the color too! They're gorgeous! The only top coat I'm familiar with is Sally Hansen but I don't mind trying the others. :)

August 22, 2008 at 1:50 PM
SuzieC said...

@ b - Seche Vite and I do not get along. I really wanted to like it. Chi is great, and so far Sally is holding up.

@ j - Same here Seche is my pedicure top coat. I'm going to give Posh a try.

@ yummy - Thanks! Seche disappointed me :( I was all hyped then my nails chipped. The color is Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus Nourishing Nail Color in Claming Cocoa

@ anjela - The color is Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus Nourishing Nail Color in Claming Cocoa. You wouldn't believe the amount of top coats out there!

August 22, 2008 at 5:24 PM

Unknown said...

Wow, I didn't know that Seche was so bad. Thanks for the review!

August 24, 2008 at 3:20 AM
SuzieC said...

@ erica - I would pass on on the Seche.

August 26, 2008 at 12:50 AM

Jamila said...

Thank you validating my disdain for S.V. I thought it was just me. Lol! You know I'm all shades of green with envy over your beautimous nails.

August 27, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Elle* said...

That's too bad about the Seche! I love that stuff...the trick to it is to apply it in a glob, lol, and it levels itself out and voila!

August 27, 2008 at 1:14 PM
Alyssia said...

beautiful nails....I've never used Seche...I figure everytime I fall for the hype, I get disappointed lol.

August 27, 2008 at 4:40 PM
SuzieC said...

@ jamila - Thanks! I'm glad I wasn't the only one who had issues with Seche.

@ elle* - I may try that once I get off of my Sally Hansen experiment.

@ alyssia - Thanks! The hype around Seche will disappoint.

August 29, 2008 at 3:35 PM

Unknown said...

It's not a top coat persa but its good to use by itself or over nail polish. It promotes growth and hardens your nails. Its called Nailtech. I think you can only buy it at a licensed beauty supply place. You may be able to find it in beauty salons at the malls.

October 8, 2008 at 10:03 AM

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