Buh-Bye, Nail Salon (Gel Setter Review + My Nail Favories)

Back in ol' BC times ("Before Camille"), I always had my nails painted.

But for the past year, at-home manicures have taken a backseat. I simply don't have the time (or want to take the time) to let my nails dry. And, visit the nail salon with a toddler? Forget about it!

When I'd snap a photo with my naked nails showing, and yes -- I know this sounds really shallow -- I just didn't feel like myself. Gah, that's a pretty surface-level admission right there. I don't know how to describe it in another way, though.

Recently I asked all of you about your favorite at-home mani secrets, and several of you raved about Gel Setter by Essie. I grabbed a bottle of it, and I'm here to give you my full review now that I've owned it for about three weeks.

(Picture Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch) 

I. AM. IN. LOVE. WITH. THIS. NAIL. POLISH!!!!


Gel Setter ($10 - Target) // Mademoiselle
Gel Setter + Mademoiselle Duo ($15, Target - a deal)

It has worked great with my other Essie polishes, and a blog reader also mentioned that it works well with non-Essie products as well. 

Here are some of my favorite colors at this moment. I always love to see the go-to colors of my blogger friends :) 

Cascade Cool (Beauty.com) // Tart Deco (Ulta)

Fearless (similar at Nordstrom) // Miami Nice (Ulta)

You Don't Know Jacques (Amazon) 

Miss Fancy Pants (Beauty.com) // Absolutely Shore (Nordstrom)

And my must-have products for a long-lasting manicure or pedicure...

Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover (Amazon) - makes a huge difference for a nice mani!

Other favorites: nail buffer, metal nail file, orange wood cuticle stick (not shown), toe separators

Speaking of pedicure, I topped my toenail polish with a coat of Gel Setter last week, and the results were WAY better than I was imagining. It turned a normal at-home pedicure into what truly looks like a salon pedicure. My toenails are so glossy and high-shine!

So, by using the Gel Setter, I've noticed two main improvements:
+ My nails dry MUCH quicker and without dings -- very important these days.
+ My polish stays chip-free for a full 5-7 days. The better I am about buffing them and using the cuticle remover, beforehand, the longer it seems to last.

The staying power is what truly sold me. I don't want to have chips every 2-3 days with my polish. And I feel like my hands are constantly in water now that I'm staying at home with Camille -- I wash my hands so many times a day, as well as hers (before all meals, after diaper changes), and my hands are wet during bathtime each night.

So -- hugely recommend this product. I feel so much more put together now that I've been able to enjoy nice nails!

I took this photo with my hand in the picture to show the scale of the plaid pattern for someone who is looking for a custom bonnet. I am wearing Mademoiselle in this photo.

The photo below was just snapped this morning. I am wearing Absolutely Shore now. I love the minty green hue!

Your turn ... nail tips -- GO! 

Top three nail polish colors -- GO! 

* Not a sponsored post. Affiliate links used.