Just Another Mani Monday - Testing Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Top Coat

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You know that my love for Seche Vite is real. Has been for years. I try other top coats, enjoy them then I go back to my Seche Vite because it is just that good. Well, there's a new sheriff in town and I'm crushing, hard. Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Top Coat is everything I love about Seche Vite; the way it sets down that big, silky bead, floats up the nail, melting and smoothing minor imperfections, uneven areas and even killing surface bubbling. And let's not forget that incomparable, glossy shine as well as the fast dry, hard cure that I depend on to get my manicure done and get on with my day in record time.

Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Top Coat does all of the above and it has one important advantage over it's close cousin. Wear time. My natural nails just don't hang on to polish well. They never have, no matter what kind of base coat, polish or top coat I've ever used. If I get three solid days of no chip wear out of a manicure, I do a happy dance. Seche Vive has helped to extend my average polish life from two to three days to an impressive to me four to five days. I honestly don't mind sitting down and changing my nail polish but if I have a shade on my tips that I'm particularly enjoying and want to wear it another day or two, Seche Vive can help me do just that. And that ain't bad.

seche-vive-istant-gel-effect-top-coat-review

Polish is Seychelle and accent nail art is all six shades from the LVX Luxury Nail Lacquer Spring/Summer Collection.

I love how easy this top coat is to use. I apply it just like I do good old Seche Vite, it dries fast then cures hard like a gel, no UV lamp needed. Don't worry. I have no plans to abandon my beloved Seche Vite, it's just too good. I've merely added a new member to my top coats I can count on family.

Have you tried Seche Vive Instant Gel Effect Top Coat? What do you think of it?
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42 comments

  1. LOVE this mani, and the title of your post! Now I will hear the Bangles in my head all day!

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    1. Thank you so much.

      Earworm: Accomplished.

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  2. Seche Vite is my preferred topcoat too because of the glossy finish (though it thickens a little faster in the bottle than other brands). I too get only a couple of days out of an at home mani, so I need to upgrade to this new version. Sounds great!

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    1. If your bottle of Seche Vite starts to tthicken, throw in some lacquer thinner and a little Seche Vite from a new bottle, shake the shit out of it and you're back in action. I refill from a big bottle and keep a small bottle going for a year or more, depending on how much gunk I get in it.

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  3. I actually haven't tried Seche Vive yet! It's definitely on my "to try" list so I really should pick it up and give it a go!

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    1. Give it a try. I was so pleasantly surprised.

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  4. This sounds like a step up from the regular Seche. I've never been a Seche person (I don't hate it, I just don't use it), but I know people who swear by it.

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    1. Top coats are like base coats, different formulas work for different people. :) I am not giving up my beloved Seche Vite but this Vive is a nice addition to my arsenal.

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  5. Its great to hear that your loving this top coat a lot.

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    1. Mine, too. It's unequalled, in my opinion.

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  8. I only use SV when I'm in a crazy hurry - it shrinks for me when the bottle has 1/2 left. I'd love to see if this gel like top coat has no shrinkage - because I would be ALL OVER IT! :)

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    1. I haven't used the Vive long enough to know if it thickens or shrinks over time. When my Seche Vite gets thick, I dump in some thinner and a little fresh SV and shake it up and it's good as new. I just jeep my bottle going, that way.

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  9. I had to quit seche vite after a long time together. It gave me shrinkage always. It dries so fast though!

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    1. I don't get a lot of shrinkage from it except with some jellies. I use Nubar Diamante or Essie Good to Go for those.

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  10. I always have a jar of Seche Vite in my collection. After a while though it gets too thick to use. I want to see more of those LVX polishes!!

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    1. When your Seche gets thick, dump in some thinner and shake. You can also add a little new Seche from a new bottle with the thinner and your old Seche will be like new. I keep a bottle going, this way for a year or more.

      You need more LVX polishes... I am in love with them!

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm getting some milage out of those LVX swatch photos. Hee! Hee!

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  12. I haven't tried this before but I too have issues with polish wearing away or chipping at the tips

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  13. You're killing me with your accent nail. Gorgeous mani always

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  15. I'm not the hugest fan of the original SV but I'm interested in trying the gel top coat.

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  16. That nail art of yours is so pretty! The top coat sounds interesting too

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    1. Aw, thank you! The nail art is so easy. It's just little flowers made with a dotting tool and simple leaves with a fine tip brush.

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  17. Seche Vite works like a charm for me, but I always like trying new stuff. I'll look for this one next time I go shopping!

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  18. Love your mani! I wish I could use SV because it is so readily available. Every time I try it, it's horribly thick and unworkable.

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  21. I use seche for my top coat A LOT! Your nails look beautiful

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  22. I'm loving this mani! I haven't tried this top coat but I'm attached to Seche Vite so I'm definitely going to look for it and try it!

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  23. Isn't it funny how we're all so loyal to our top coats? Your manicure is gorgeous :)

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  24. Your flowers are adorable! Reminds me of delicate china!

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  25. I've been wanting to try this brand for the longest time but never found one (too forgetful to order online!)... and now they have something new! Love your white mani, btw :)

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  26. Great review, I've just gone back to Seche due to my finances no longer being able to afford HK girl. Must admit I forgot how much I really do love it x

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