Living in Sydney means that you accept certain things as standard. There will be 40 people at every apartment inspection. You’ll hand over $13 for an oat matcha latte without flinching. And a simple manicure at your local salon will set you back $60, all while your nail tech juggles two other clients and a phone call. But recently, I discovered a product that made me rethink my relationship with nail salons entirely: a fast-drying top coat that costs less than $20.
To be honest, I’ve never really thought of myself as a “nail person”. I’m impatient. I’m clumsy. Every time I paint my nails at home, I end up absentmindedly reaching into my bag or opening the fridge and cursing myself for even trying. The idea of sitting still waiting for each layer of nail polish to dry, with the looming threat of smudges, fingerprints or bubbles at the end, makes me give in and pay to get my nails professionally done.
But after hearing about the Seche Vite Instant Gel Effect Top Coat, which has racked up thousands of glowing reviews, I decided to give at-home manicures one last shot. It promises a glassy, gel-like finish and claims to dry in minutes. Naturally, I was sceptical.
Then I tried it… and I haven’t booked a nail appointment since.
How it works
The texture of the Seche Vite is slightly thicker than your average top coat. Once you’re done painting your nails in the colour of your choosing, it adds a substantial top layer that glides over any imperfections, and gives it a super shiny, professional finish that honestly looks just like a gel manicure. I let it sit for five minutes of absolutely no touching, and then it’s fairly dry, enough to scroll on my phone. Within 30 minutes, I can go about my day, and my nails stay pristine.
But the best part is that it actually lasts. I get a full week of wear with no chips and my rushed polish jobs look pro.
The downside
If I’m being picky, the top coat does tend to thicken a bit over time, as most top coats do. I’d recommend storing it in a cool place and making sure the cap is screwed on tight to prevent it from going gloopy. But despite this, with all the money I’ve saved on manicures, it’s still a steal.
A few tips
As with any at-home manicure, it’s important not to skip any of the steps. That means you need a base coat, one or two coats of polish, and finally the top coat. Don’t skip the base coat, as it can cause the polish to shrink or lift – plus it prevents your nails from yellowing.
I’m not particularly careful with application, as the top coat helps smooth out any minor messiness and gives it a glossy finish. I’ve found that the Seche Vite top coat plays best with shinier nail polish (as opposed to matte shades, like opaque whites, which tend to need several coats, and we don’t have time for that).
Let your colour settle for a minute or so before applying the top coat – it doesn’t need to be fully dry, just not soaking wet. Using a fan helps.
While you can be quite generous with your top coat layer, don’t apply more than one, as it will become too thick and become prone to smudging.
The verdict
The Seche Vite Instant Dry top coat has officially turned me into a Sunday-night nail ritual person. I look forward to picking a new colour, painting my nails while I half-watch a TV show or scroll TikTok and knowing that I won’t have to think about my nails again until the following weekend.
If you love having nice nails but can’t stand the drying time, or if you’re trying to break up with $60 gel appointments, this might just become your new favourite ritual too.
Where Can I Buy The Seche Vite Top Coat?
