Essie Gel Couture: Our Editor's Choice for UV-Free Gel Manicure

Get a UV-free, long-wearing gel manicure with Essie's new Gel Couture polishes. 

When we book a manicure pedicure at a nail salon we've never been to before, a few precautions often come to mind. Is the salon clean? Do technicians properly sanitize their tools or use a new set of tools for each client? Do they offer the latest polishes? Should I shave my legs beforehand? And the list goes on. Without a doubt, these are very important things to consider, especially since you don't want your hairy legs to be a talking point among other technicians. However, there is one precaution that we often completely overlook and that is the drying process.

Whether painted with regular nail polish or layers of glitter gel polish, most nail salons can use UV lamps to speed up the drying process or set the gel manicure (note: gel polish cannot set unless it is exposed to UV radiation from these lamps). ). According to Skin cancerUV lamps, as the name suggests, emit UV radiation produced by UVA rays, which can be linked to premature signs of skin aging on the hands, or worse, skin cancer. Before you give up on nail salons and gel manicures for good, the Skin Cancer Foundation says that "Even the most intense of these devices pose only a moderate risk of UV radiation, a much smaller risk than that posed by UV tanning beds." The Foundation suggests taking the precaution of allowing nail polish to dry naturally or applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to your hands 20 minutes before exposing them to UV light. But, if you want to ditch the UV lamp entirely and still keep your gel manicure looking fresh, there are other ways to achieve the desired result without sacrificing skin care.

With Essie's new line of Gel Couture polishes, you can get the look and long-lasting appeal of a gel manicure without ever going near a UV lamp. The collection consists of 4 different lines - Atelier, First Look, Fashion Show and After Party - which make up 42 different shades, from pastels to neutrals, from bright colors to dark gemstones, in a bottle with a new design. we say tres chic. And you won't need to enroll in a beauty school with its easy-to-use, two-step system that can last up to 14 days after you apply. To use, simply apply two coats of pigmented nail polish to the nail bed with the signature swivel tip brush. After two coats are dry, apply one coat of Quick Dry Gel Couture Top Coat to protect and enhance shine for an attractive ultra-gloss manicure!

Essy Gel Haute Couture, $ 11.50