Seche

A top coat is essential for me, and since I couldn't find my NYC one any longer, I thought I'd give it a try. So far I really like it. It applies smoothly and dries fast. I'm not sure if it really extends a manicure all that much, but so far I've only worn it for about five days, tops, before redoing my nails. It's working well so far, though. I mainly worry as the bottle gets emptier that the polish might get thicker, and I think other reviewers have brought that up. I may try adding agitator balls to see if that helps or just getting an extra bottle or two and using the spare to top off the others. One issue I have so far is that it does stink. It's nasty for a minute or so and then it vanishes, but it surprises me every time. Since it dries fast and gives my nails a good, tough top coat, however, I'll hold my nose and go along with it.

I've been using this for years. I alternate it with other top coats when I have time for them, but as a "fast dry", this is excellent. I don't have a problem with shrinkage (probably because I wear my nails so short). The only time this doesn't work, is if I want a matte finish. This is even faster than a LED dryer with gel polish, for me, and it can be reapplied to make polish last even longer. It's especially great on my toes, because I don't change the color on toes as often as on my fingernails. FYI - if you like 7 Free nail products, Pacifica has a Quick Dry top coat that works like Seche Vite, without the heaviness or extra glossiness!

I have some mixed feelings about Seche Vite. Currently I am on my second bottle but there are some things that really annoy me about this top coat. Yes it dries fast. Yes it's very glossy. Heck it can hide all kinds painting mistakes, touch ups and ridges. Does it make my manicure last longer? Not at all. As many reviewers have mentioned. It gets substantially thicker about halfway through the bottle. I have found that this exaggerates its ongoing issue with shrinkage. Generally I apply top while the color is still wet as recommended. After 24 hrs you can see at the edge of the nail a line where it pulls the color. (this is much less obvious with a fresh bottle) Now for some people I believe that this works well enough for them to look past these issues. But for people like me who have nails prone to peeling, this issue of shrinkage is can actually damage the nail bed. If your polish is well adhered with a good base coat the chips will happen anyway except it's a layer of the nail itself that chips off. I have decided that for the health of my nails I need a top coat that doesn't shrink even if that means it takes longer to dry.