Review: Essie No Chips Ahead Top Coat (Jane Approved)

If you follow me on twitter you would have been subjected to my constant raving about this product. I scored it at Discount Beauty Centre in Kings Plaza some time ago and I have fallen in love since the first time I applied it.

My search for a good top coat got serious after my most recent encounter with shallac. After removal my nails were weak and brittle and full of ridges. I decided to give myself a break and just use regular polish. Now, I'm no glamour queen - I cook and clean several times a week, and I have neither the dedication nor the time to repaint my nails three times a week. It just will not happen. 

So after my most expensive nail polish chipped on me only two days in I decided that I needed to go out and get a proper top coat. I first picked up the sally hansen insta-dri anti chip top coat in the red bottle. MASSIVE fail. I was sorely disappointed because Sally Hansen has always been my nail go to. With this top coat my nail polish was peeling off in chunks by the next morning. I chucked the bottle and made the plunge with Essie.

Now I am not used to paying $700 + for a bottle of nail polish especially when you can pick up Klean Kolours for $120 BUT I saw the reviews on Makeup Alley and thought if so many people loved it then it was worth a shot. So here's my breakdown:


source

Application
The essie brushes are small and narrow so chances are you won't be able to goop this on. It forces the application to be thin and smooth. It feels a tad tacky - as in you may not even notice it. As soon as you apply it and it sets it kind of sets to a hard clear shell like an acrylic coat of paint - which is fantastic if you don't want your nails to chip.

Dry Time
This is not a quick-dry top coat at all. I would imagine that because it's so good at not chipping it needs time to set. I recommend painting your nails where you have an hour to set aside for dry time. It will feel dry to the touch within five minutes if so long, but you can disturb the polish if you apply pressure to it or dink it with something sharp before an hour is up. Dunking your nails in cold water won't help the process either. I haven't tried it with one of those fast-drying sprays though. This may bother some persons but I think it's worth the wait if I don't have to change my polish for at least another five days.

Durability
With cheaper nail polishes the top coat lasted a good five days without a single chip. After the fifth day I saw tiny chips at the top of the nails of my most used fingers. 
With my more expensive/quality polishes this lasted between seven and nine days. A full week!!! I love products that make my life easier!
This may last longer on you because like I said earlier I cook and clean several times a week as well wash my own hair and do laundry. If you don't do this or you do it with gloves on you could have a longer lasting time.

Cost
This is not one of those bargain products per se. You can find it in Kingston for between $700 and $850. So far, I have seen it at Discount Beauty Centre in Kings Plaza or The Beauty Spot in the Spartan Wellness Centre on Brompton Road.
Since my nailpolish can last this long I really have no reason to go to the nail salon so, when you really look at it I have saved myself some money because my at-home manicure can actually last.

Overall
Bottom line, I would repurchase this product and I highly recommend it to all my friends. The smell is not overwhelmingly powerful and it has a nice shiny finish. I consider this a super fave. Well done essie!


Have you tried this product? What was your experience? Leave a comment and let me know!

Till later,
**Jane

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OXBLOOD!!!

When I first heard the name given to the deep rich red colour trendy for the fall season a couple years ago, I must admit my stomach roiled because of the vivid imagery the name stirred up. Nevertheless, those that be in the fashion world persisted and everything that was originally referred to as a form of burgundy is now being labelled the more chic term 'oxblood'. 

Now I am not a red girl, but deep burgundies look good on almost every person because the deep colour warms you up and gives you a rosier appearance. This is the reason why you will also find so many celebrities and models now wearing the same deep burgundy colour on their lips. It is reminiscent of that flapper era as well, when glam was still trendy and grunge didn't exist.

I am as in love with the colour as I am in hate with the name, and so I've derived several different ways you can wear the trend this season:

1. Faux Leather: 

Leather is really really hot this season and we are seeing more and more of it popping up even in tropical Jamaica. The coolest (and I do mean this literally) way to wear leather is on your bottom half - shoes and skirts are what I recommend. A float-y circle skirt will keep your thighs cool while adding a bit of edge to your outfit without sacrificing femininity.


2. Chiffon/Sheer

The sheer trend of this spring is continuing into Fall because of its ability to layer well. Pair a chiffon dress with charcoal heels as an alternative to black. And you can wear a maxi skirt with a sleeveless button up top and a bib necklace or with a heather grey off the shoulder loose fitting top tucked in. Cobalt blue shoes are also a nice alternative.



3. On the lips

As a nod to the 40s flapper era, deep coloured lips are back. If you are a newbie to colour on the lips, your best bet is to grab a lipliner in a chocolate brown or a deep burgundy line the lips then follow with a similar-toned lipgloss. If you are feeling more daring then by all means, go for the new lip stains that are on the market so that the colour is less likely to fade or bleed. This can be worn matte or glossy.



4. Nails

Dark nailpolish has always been trendy for fall. Oxblood has the unique quality of making your fingers look sophisticated and trendy at the same time. I snagged this nailpolish in the pharmacy above Subway in Oaklands but these colours are popping up everywhere.


How do you plan on wearing oxblood this season? Leave me a comment and let me know if you're into this trend or if you'll skip it.

(All images courtesy of the web, except last image)

Till later,
Jane.

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