Essie • fill the gap! ridge filling base coat • Top/Base Coats

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*TOP REVIEWER* KillerTofu on 6/6/2013 7:59:00 PM more reviews by KillerTofu

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

First, I should say that this is the only ridge-filler I've tried. The application of Fill The Gap is a little thick, and can be streaky. It dries relatively quickly, to a sheer milky color with a matte/satin finish. After it dried was when I noticed the smell. During application, it has a typical nail polish smell; however, when it has dried, it has a soft, slightly sweet, powdery smell that I love. I'm not sure what could be in it to give it this quality, but it's actually quite nice.
Fill The Gap didn't quite give my manicure the glass-smooth look certain bloggers have (which I was really hoping for) but it did create a nice, smooth surface that made the application of subsequent coats a breeze. It is basically a primer for the nails. I honestly can't say if it extend the longevity of a manicure, as I change my color every other day.
The thing that makes Fill The Gap an essential part of my manicure routine is the stain-preventing quality. It really, really prevents staining, which makes it worth it's weight in gold. Just FYI, my method is as follows, from first coat to last: Essie Fill The Gap, China Glaze Strong Adhesion, color, Orly Bonder, color, Seche Vite (with tip-wrapping and applying the SV before the last coat has dried completely).

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4tee1 on 4/19/2013 1:28:00 PM more reviews by 4tee1

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is an expensive drug store product. That said, I would buy it again. It makes my nails this beautiful matte milky pinkish color that I just adore. It goes on smoothly with no streaks and dries instantly. Not to mention it smooths out ridges for if I ever choose to wear polish but I am just saying, it's a pretty look all on it's own!

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loopymonkey on 9/23/2012 5:47:00 PM more reviews by loopymonkey

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

I purchased this along with essie's instant dry oil protector as The factory shop is currently running two for £5 promotion on Essie products.
I have several different basecoats and since purchasing this its the only one I use, Im going to pick up another as there I have already used a significant amount of product. I cant say anything about it helping your polish last longer as I change mine everyday but I will say that it smooths out my nails giving me a flat surface to apply the polish and also, it is dry before I have finished applying to one hand.

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incognito on 4/9/2012 11:39:00 AM more reviews by incognito

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I'm rating this a 1 based solely on the ingredients (which I uploaded above based on info on the Ulta site) - this contains DBT, along with formaldehyde resin and camphor. C'mon Essie!

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*TOP REVIEWER* izzybella on 4/2/2012 1:54:00 PM more reviews by izzybella

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I love Essie polishes, but I didn't like this base coat. I've used this a few times and I don't think it really prolongs the longevity of my manicures. Last week I applied one coat of Fill the Gap!, one coat of Essie Sugar Daddy, and two coats of a pink glitter topcoat from Wet n' Wild and in less than a day my polish was already flaking off, leaving my thumbnail completely exposed. I removed my polish and re-did a manicure using Butter London basecoat and two coats Essie Lollipop and my manicure is currently wearing like iron. In short, I'd pass on this. If you're looking for a ridge filler, OPI's is decent.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

courtneyk01 on 10/6/2011 8:26:00 PM more reviews by courtneyk01

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I use this base coat every time I do my nails which is about 3 times a week. It definitely works by smoothing the nail for easy application of the coloured polish. I'm not entirely sure that it helps make the polish last longer. While I will buy this again, I will definitely be trying other base coats as well.

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*TOP REVIEWER* RachaelSpiffy on 10/4/2011 11:45:00 PM more reviews by RachaelSpiffy

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

This is the only base coat I have had multiple bottles of and I love it. It really is ridge filling when I havn't had time to smooth my nails and they get ridgey. This stuff rocks.

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AngelicMaris on 8/9/2011 4:08:00 PM more reviews by AngelicMaris

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have to give this 5 stars! It is amazing! I have some serious ridges on my nails and it has concealed them greatly. My nails look even when I wear bright or dark nail polish or when I wear nude nail polish. Definitely worth my money!
EDIT: this is great stuff, but I checked my thyroid recently and as it turns out I suffer from hypothyroidism, thus the brittle ridged nails.. so check yours if you have to many ridges on nails...

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

TheMakeUpMaster on 6/26/2011 10:17:00 AM more reviews by TheMakeUpMaster

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

i LOVE this product does exactly what it says and its worth investing in as it made any nail varnish glide on smoothly

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*TOP REVIEWER* xleahcarx on 5/24/2011 3:41:00 AM more reviews by xleahcarx

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

This is hands down my most used nail product. It makes your nails smooth and dries instantly. You can often find it on sale so it always a good deal.

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melanie635 on 3/1/2011 12:01:00 AM more reviews by melanie635

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

Love this product! I have vertical ridges in my nails that split and peel. I have tried everything on them and nothing helps. This is the first base coat that does what it says "fills in the gap". My nails look as smooth as they can look and I can wear this alone on my nails when I don't want to wear color and my nails don't look like a wreck. Great product!

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allyson399 on 11/30/2010 4:23:00 PM more reviews by allyson399

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I've probably used this more than any other nail polish I've ever had. It is a fantastic basecoat that goes on smoothly and easily and makes your manicure look so much more professional. I don't know how much it helps the polish stick because I usually use this and then a coat of Stickey and then my polish color. The thing is- half the time I go to use this as a basecoat I end up never putting polish over it because it makes my nails look just beautifully natural. It is a neutral color pretty much the color of my nails but it just makes them look polished and healthy. Dries fast too. Love it. Oh and its also like half the price of the Butter version of a ridge filler.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Arbuz on 6/21/2010 10:59:00 AM more reviews by Arbuz

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I think this ridge filler is HG! It works really great as a base coat. My manicure lasts longer when I use Fill The Gap! as a base coat. Does great job and evens out ridges. Looks like my nails grow faster and stronger with this base, too.

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UndeadSuburbia on 6/4/2009 9:48:00 PM more reviews by UndeadSuburbia

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Blue    

I was really lucky. I found this at my local surplus store for $1.50. Though it didn't completely get rid of my ridges, a couple coats provided an awesome base coat. I'm definately going back for more. :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

jensgotstyle81 on 5/31/2009 1:03:00 AM more reviews by jensgotstyle81

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Green    

I bought the sample size of this because i've been looking for a ridge filler. I have to say that i am not impressed with this product and i'm glad i didn't pay full price for it. The only positive thing i have to say about Essie's Fill the Gap is that it takes the yellowish stain away that i get on my nails. However I don't find it evens out my nail bed and i still have to apply another base coat on top of it. SO i am still searching for a ridge filler, i think i will give OPI's ridge filler a try

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* niclyf on 4/20/2009 11:29:00 PM more reviews by niclyf

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have two preferred base coats/ridge filler .. this and OPI 's Ridge Filler. What I like about these two, is that they have a slight white undertone to them, which gets rid of the yellow tinge my nails have at times, and sets the perfect foundation for applying pales/sheers over it. Dries fast and really evens out my nail bed, helping the polish to glide on smoothly. Another great Essie treatment!

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* animalsrbetterthanpeople on 10/4/2008 3:49:00 PM more reviews by animalsrbetterthanpeople

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Neutral   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

As one gets older, you find those annoying little vertical ridges on the nails. While "buffing" removes them, unfortunately, it also thins and weakens the nail as well.
I just ran across this product and since I exclusively use the Essie "Good to Go" topcoat, I decided to give it a try. I'm delighted with its performance. It completely fills the ridges, and I notice that my polish lasts much longer, and I can get away with only giving myself a manicure once a week instead of twice per week. The only reason that I didn't give a a "5" for packaging is because I wish the Essie bottles had the rubberized caps as the Orly polish does. It makes it much easier to open. Other than that, it's a keeper and I'm sure it will be part of my weekly manicure from now on.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No