If you like the high gloss look and don't want to spend too much money at a nail salon, this is the perfect at home solution.

The formula stays on longer than regular nail polish and is available in over 20 colours, whatever mood you're in. I'm convinced that the top coat adds the "gel-like" look since it's almost like a clear jelly.

I find the chipping to be minimal.

It gets the job done considering the price.

Be careful with the top coat as it dries quickly and might cause bubbles.

If you enjoy painting your nails on a weekly basis, this range is the one for you.

I absolutely love this nail polish! The perfect formula is a base coat, two coats of colour, and a top coat, and I find that mine lasts at least a week. Even after that, it has such minimal chipping that you can get away with it. I would recommend that you apply quite thin coats though, as I found that when I applied it too thickly, the polish peeled off once it had dried.

I would definitely recommend this nail polish.

Such an affordable brand of nail polishes. I love Essence's products and was eager to try their new gel range. I am very hard on my nails and rarely a nail polish lasts more that 2-3days with me. I bought the mint colour and was so happy that I got at the most 4 days wear with minimal chipping. Two coats of the polish does the trick and had a definite gel look to it. Definitely purchasing some of the other shades on the range!

Being this cheap, one wouldn't think that a nail polish could look as good as getting your nails done at the salon. I was pleasantly surprised with the product and comes in great shades to match the popping summers to dark winters. Would like to change the shape of the bottle though it makes the product look a nit child-like. Quality, is just great! Love this!

So I finally decided to try these nail polishes. I got them in two colours, 46 Black is back and 52 Amazed by you , which is a berry shade.

I love the consistency of this polish. I found it really easy the apply. The colour pay off is great. I found that my nails stayed shiny even after hadwashing. They lasted about three days without a touch up. I did not use a base coat so I assume they would last longer with one. They only chipped along the tip which was easy to touch up. They dried pretty fast even when I applied a second coat.

The colour range is so lovely, I will definately be buying more of these polishes.

I love the colours. I bought a mint and a red one. The only negative thing that I have to say is that you have to apply two layers for the colour to pop other than that I think that it's a steal because it's super cheap and the colours are gorgeous. You have to reapply after 3-4 days though but I always use a top coat in order for it to last longer.

I usually prefer to have gel nails done at the nail bar as I am very bad at painting my own nails . It always bubbles and and messes my fingers so I get annoyed quite quickly .

What attracted me to this brand and range was the gorgeous colors that they came in and that they also sell the base and top coat as well .

Its a quick and easy application and the product itself is very pocket friendly . With the variety of colors available you can have a new color every week at fraction of the price of having your nails done professionally.

I do recommend that you use a base coat and apply a double layer of the top coat as I felt this gave me a full week of good looking nails as opposed to just painting them normally , because by day 3 or 4 you definitely need to reapply .

Love the bright colors. Some do not go on as easily as others with just one coat.

The gel - look lasts longer than the normal polish. However if you work in water you need to reapply by day 3 - 4 and it loses its shine.

Cost-effective if you are a student and want many colors to work with but works our more if you need to re-apply every 3 days.

I wish that there was a maybe option listed under recommendation as i am a bit two minded about purchasing essence nail colour in the future. I prefer their darker tones eg: reds, maroons,darker colours ,as it covers the nail quickly, and 1 coat is enough when applying in a rush , however the lighter colours are a bit of a task.

I absolutely love these nail polishes, they have a nice variety of different colors at such affordable prices. The consistency of the nail polish is also nice because you only need to apply two coats for perfectly painted nails. The only negative comment I have is that the nail polish starts chipping after 3-4 days.

Essence is my go-to make up brand, so, of course, most of my nail polishes are part of the Essence range.

I've used a couple of the Gel Nail Polishes without the base coat, top coat or the gel nail lamp, yet (after two coats) it looked like I had professional gel nails. The nail polish lasted quite long (one week) and was rich in colour. The price, quality and vast range of colours makes it an amazing product. It is also great for nail art and ombre designs.

Essence is one of those brands that absolutely have you in mind when they are making and pricing their products. They are the perfect example that quality shouldn't equal expensive.

I am obsessed with the way my nails look. I want my nail polish to be high quality, pigmented, log lasting and easy drying.

I am sort of impatient with my nails and have never been able to apply nail polish on my nails without smudging until I started buying the essence mail polishes. they dry up real quick and their size make them perfect for a girl on the go.

They say the only time a women is vulnerable is when her nail polish is wet, well ladies you no longer have to be vulnerable for more than just a couple minutes as a time anymore.

The essence nil polishes have a wide applicator brush making them super easy to apply. they are give of the most perfect shine after application you'll love it.

I'm a huge essence fan. I love that these polishes are affordable and come in a great variety of colours. I love the consistency of the polish, it goes on easily. The brush is also flat which I really love. I don't find that the gel range lasts any longer than the regular polishes, even with the gel base and top coats. I still love them and continue to purchase these.

My most favourite brand of nail polish! Not only is it great for the pocket at R22, it dries fast and effectively with no sticky mess. It also lasts long and leaves a smooth gel finish on your nails. I especially love the nude tones.

The price and size of this range was not appealing.I bought one bottle and was impressed at the high shine,lasting quality of this product.One application of two layers of nailvarnish lasted for a week.I will definetly repurchase,wish the size was bigger.

I love how essence has made their colour range even wider , so you're bound to find a perfect colour for any season!

The nail polish has a flat like brush , which glides on easily on to the nails. The colours, I've tried, were pigmented and you just needed two coats to get the full impact.

If i remember correctly, i paid a little over R30 which is very affordable in comparison to most of the other brands.

I suggest wearing a top coat, to make the nail polish last even longer .

I am completely obsessed with the essence gel nail polish range, its very affordable and the quality of the product is amazing. What I really love about this product is the gel finish, and also the fact that it lasts long , before it starts to chip. I am especially in love with the nude shade, its my favorite shade.

This specific range of nail polishes from Essence is incredible! I have bought several other expensive brands' nail polishes in the past, and have been disappointed. These nail polishes require only 2 coats for dense colour, and last for ages before chipping. In fact, I usually need to re-do my nails because of the regrowth, rather than them having chipped. For the price, I think there is nothing better, and I will continue to purchase more and more shades of these fab nail polishes.

Most definitely my FAVOURITE nail polish EVER!
They have an awesome range of colours, effects polishes, nail art and nail art tools.

Essence is one of the brands that I absolutely love and they have such a wide variety of nail products. They recently brought out their The Gel nails range, which is really amazing. You can either use those polishes on their own for a longer lasting manicure or you can use the specially formulated base and top coat with your The Gel nail polish to have an even longer lasting and gel manicure.

So if getting a gel manicure is a guilty pleasure of yours, do indulge in this great 3 step system from Essence. You will be able to get a gorgeous long lasting gel manicure from home and at a fraction of the salon price.

Essence is the only brand of nail polished that I buy. It is super affordable, very trendy and great quality! Team the Essence Gel polish with Revlon Gel Envy Diamond Topcoat and you have chip-free nails for 5-7 days!

Pro's
Value for money, large assortment of vivid colors & nude tones. My favourite is the Essence Studio Nails Pro White Effect.
Con's
Nail brush is not of good quality but I can live with that.
Overall great product.

The assortment of colours is amazing...and I bought A LOT.

I REALLY wish it didn't chip so easily.

As a nail technician and a fussy person when it comes to nail polish. I absolutely love essence. They have a range of bold, bright colours. It has just the right shine and it dries fast, giving no time for smudges to happen. It lasts long and the bottle is nice and small and easy to handle. The brush forms nicely so there is no nail polish getting on your skin. I would definitely recommend this brand to anybody looking for bold colours and long lasting nail polish.

Two things i love most about this nail polish is its durability and High Gloss shine. My nails look good for up to 5 days with no chips or cracks. Another plus to this set of polishes is the shape of the brush. The broad bristles make it a breeze to paint my nails and covers the entire surface effortlessly.
The only downfall id say i have, is that i do think the base coat takes a bit long to dry. Other than that, this is my new favorite brand of nail polish, budget friendly and comes with a huuuuggge variety of colours. A definite must have for all girls who love painting their nails!

Great colours to choose from and high shine gloss. Few reasons why this nail polish is a must have for any beauty insider. Perfect Price, Under R30 for this gem.
I used a few colours my favourite is #44 on air!, a glittery gold finish which can be used for an accent nail or the entire manicure.

My new addiction is the gel nail polish, perfect shine, lots of colours to choose from and the best part is that it lasts. Having a good nail polish is one thing, but finding one that stays long is great. Collecting the colours and going for at least five day's with the use of water evey day washing dishes and all and im happy

For such an affordable product it really lasts way more longer then some of the more expensive brands.

Confession - I used to hate painting my nails. I hated having to go to all the effort only to have them chip about a day later. That was until I discovered the Essence Gel Nail polish. I absolutely love this product. It's easy to use. Dries relatively quickly (so life doesn't have to stop for a whole day while you wait for your mani to dry;)), and it lasts for at least 5 - 6 days, without chipping!! I would definitely recommend this product, and with all the colours Essence has on offer, there's something to suit everyone's taste! :)

Definitely one of my favourite nail polishes..I cannot walk past an Essence stand without being tempted to buy one (even though I have so many already!)
They are very budget friendly without compromising on quality.
Love the bottles with the matching lid colour! makes finding the one I want to use in my collection so much easier (and prettier!).
You only need to apply 2 coats at the most and they take fairy quick to dry.
They last on my nails without chipping for at least 5 days.

If you love nail polishes and manicures, then this post is for you! I have a confession to make…I’m a nail polish addict. I have a nail polish in almost every colour and my nails are almost always painted.

A couple of weeks ago my favourite neutral French pink colour from Revlon was finished, so I went to Clicks to buy another bottle. Of course, there wasn’t any of this specific colour in stock – only a white-ish colour with blue sparkling glitter. No, thank you – pass please.

So, there I was – browsing the shelves at Clicks looking for a suitable replacement. I’ve always enjoyed the Essence brand’s products (I have some of their eyeshadows and concealers) so I spent some time looking at their product display. Then I spot a nail polish that Essence claim is like gel, but you don’t need a lamp to cure it. Plus, the three bottles that I needed (the base coat, one colour and top coat) together added up to cost less than what the Revlon colour would have costed me. So, I decided to give the Essence gel-like polish a try.

If I could insert singing voices here, I would. I’m so, so, SO impressed with these products! Firstly, it dries quickly. I have zero patience when it comes to painting my nails - I don’t want to sit around for hours waiting for the polish to dry. Secondly, it’s so cheap! At just under R50 each for the base coat and top coat and R29.95 per colour, I think it’s a steal. And thirdly, it’s durable! I’m quite rough with my hands, so normally by day two my nail polish needs a touch up.

In fact, I was so impressed, that I went back and bought four more colours. I’m currently sporting the deep red and I’m pretty impressed with how nicely it still looks – even after 5 days of wear. I applied four layers of polish: one layer for the base coat, two thin layers of colour and then the top coat. With these, I literally apply a coat to the nails on each hand and then start the process again. No waiting in between for each coat to dry. Once I’m done, I am careful for about 30 minutes or so to not mess up the mani, but I’ve painted my nails with these Essence polishes in the past just before I went to sleep, and woke up with a smudge free mani.

So seriously, go and treat yourself. I can’t wait to try all of these colours! Keep in touch on Instagram (@stylediarysa), I’ll share my mani pics there.

Absolutely LOVE these little gems! In terms of price for quality you can change your nail colour as often as your mood- convenient since there are so many colour options to satisfy almost any taste :) its easy to apply with a decent consistency and buildable. One of my favourites!

I bought these two lovely gel nail polish from Essence after had visited Clicks stores.

I love the thickness of the nail polish & the bristle itself allowing me to paint my nails without any spills and also the lid is easily hold-able!

I used color code DDAD (the glitter one) on two finger nails on each hand & used color code CHADB on three finger nails on each hand to create that nude yet shinny look at the same time.

The process went well without any dripping since the nail polish itself it's like gel it's thick. It dried up very quickly, the smell is not that strong.

It costed less than R35.00 for each nail polish.

Purchased at Clicks.

I love having beautiful nails, not only because it makes you feel good but I believe that a woman should maintain her nails and ensure they always look good. I must admit that I used to shop for the more expensive nail colours because I believed they were better quality, until one day I saw a pretty colour on the essence display and thought oh well give it a try. I now prefer this brand to most other brands, the brush for me is a huge selling point. I find the thinner brushes does not give an even finish, by the time I have got to the other end of my nail it has started drying and leaves a horrible finish, with the essence brush being thicker it coats my nails beautifully. The colours are rich, vibrant and there are options. It is affordable and does not chip or fade. Love it

As a nail polish addict, yes I have to admit it, I tend to polish my nails at least every second day. HOWEVER with this new range I have been finding that the quality is so good and the chipping is down to an absolute minimum so I have less inclination to redo my nails so often. I was hunting for that perfect white and I have found it! The gel polish in white is however a thick formula but at this price who cares, right? Irrespective of the thickness of the formula, it is still an easy paint and the drying time is minimum. Two coats of the white and it is totally opaque and smooth finish. Be careful not to work to close to the edges as the formula does tend to pool a bit. I can highly recommend this product. I have tried a number of the colours and I have no regrets on any one of the bottles I purchased. Go grab a bottle and get painting ladies, this series from Essence is a must have :)

I have fallen in love with this nail polish so much...every time i walk into the stockists' store, I buy a new colour...3 and counting

Amazing Budget friendly essence gel nail polishes, easy to apply , not such a quick dry like the paint & go range from essence.

Electicccc31 is my favorite color to date from the range. This color is suitable for any skin tone and every outfit you throw on, as well as for every season!

For the price its worth it.

Quality i give a rating of 3 because i found that after a few days with or without double coats and top coats , the polish chips easily.

Effectiveness, i rate it a 4 as its extremely easy to apply and with a think almost flat applicator brush its an absolute ease!

Definitely a must have to your at home stash of polishes i suggest!

Available at all Dischem Pharmacies, Clicks Stores and online via Spree as well.

love the range, exciting colors to suit your moods!! affordable and lasting too:-) Liquid is a bit thick brush is wide, but great to apply , quick and easy.....

I have recently decided to try the new Gel Nail Polishes from Essence. To be honest I really did not expect too much as it is very affordable. But as usual, Essence did not let me down. They might be an affordable brand, but they do not compromise on quality and they are always keeping up with the newest trends.
Ok, so back to the polish. The consistency is a tad bit thicker than the Colour 'n Go polishes, but it does not make application harder in any way. Actually application is a breeze as usual.
Also it does not take forever to dry and it lasted a good 4 days before showing signs of chipping. For me that is good because I am always typing and that takes a toll on my nail pretties. And the results is a shiny and expensive looking mani with the least amount of effort.
Best of all, it comes in such a wide variety of colours and the price does not break the bank.

I love these nail polish and it comes at a very affordable price. My nails look expensive at an affordable price, I love that it is so easy to apply and the colour and shine lasts long

I love the new Gel formula for these Essence nail polishes - they really do give you that just manicured gel look.. There are a much of pretty shades to choose from ! The only downside I would say is that they don't last as long as the colour to go for some odd reason! But still love them and the price is only R24 each which is a great bargain

I absolutely love the essence brand. I normally use the nude nail polish which you can hardly ever find in stores (such a bummer) but I find that it dries out quiet quickly in the bottle. I always have to add a few drops of the clear gel polish in it as it get thick very easily. But overall I love it!

This is great stuff for the price!!! Please just remember to use it with the gel Polish top and base Coat to get the proper effect and long wear out of it. If you do it correctly it's Awesome!!!!

I was so excited to try the gel nail polish after great results from the clour & go range....HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT!!! The gel nail polish is not as quick-drying as the colour & go, although it is longer lasting. It does not have the glossy shine that I expected.

I t is just regular, I will stick to the colour & go range from now on:(

When I am looking for a good quality nail polish, without breaking the bank, Essence is my go-to brand! Great selection of colours, really long lasting with a shiny gel look, and extremely affordable! It has a thick square shape brush that is able to coat your whole nail with the first coat!

Ive tried the red nail colour and its working for me. Really looks like I went to go get my nails done professionally. Essence is the future!

I adore esscence products not only because they are affordable, their quality is fantastic. I have this nail polish in almost every colour. I get so many compliments with people assuming I had professional gel nails done at a salon. The colours are vivid and shiny, its easy to apply and only starts to wear after about 5 days. Highly recommended by a die hard esscence fan.

I've always bought crappy nail polish over the years but as soon as I discovered Essence there was no turning back! It's honestly such a good quality nail polish, for a good price. The brush spreads out wide so it's easier to apply which I think is a bonus! It doesn't take long to dry which is great for people who are impatient to wait :) Essence has amazing colours to choose from. I HIGHLY recommend this brand!

I love the look of gel nails but can't constantly afford to get mine done. I found these nail polishes by Essence and thought I'd give them a try. I was pretty impressed. They don't chip off in a day and the colour range is so amazing. My nails weren't stained at all, even without a base coat. What I love the most about these (and Essence products in general) is that they aren't expensive and the quality is pretty good.