After 3 months of non-stop shellac, it was time to give my nails (and my bank account) a break. As much as I love Essie as a brand for nail polish, you will agree with me that it isn’t the most affordable, so I knew a trip to Boots to find something equally as good but for a lower price tag was in order. Probably mission impossible, but after speaking to a colleague of mine and commenting on how nice her nails looked (and how horrible mine were), she mentioned how great the Maybelline varnishes were and I thought I'd give them a try, and with the 3 for 2 offer that Boots always seem to have running, it was a no-brainer. I've featured my more recent manis on Instagram and a lot of you have commented on how pretty the shades were and wanting to know more about the range in general, so here is my comprehensive review on the range!
The Maybelline SuperStay 7 Days Gel Nail Color range promises to give rich colour and high shine, thanks to its pigmented and enhanced 4-free formula. Featuring a curved brush, it aims to make application precise and mess free. Speaking of the formula, it is enriched with iron and calcium compounds, which is definitely something I wanted for my weak nails to recover. It is also said to last up to 7 days with top coat touch-ups.
Colours featured on this post are (from lightest to darkest): Rose Podré, Brick Tan, Divine Wine and Midnight Red (also pictured, the Strength Primer Protecting Base Coat and 3D Gel Effect Plumping Top Coat).
Colours featured on this post are (from lightest to darkest): Rose Podré, Brick Tan, Divine Wine and Midnight Red (also pictured, the Strength Primer Protecting Base Coat and 3D Gel Effect Plumping Top Coat).
My thoughts on:
Formula: Whilst the polishes are creamy and highly pigmented, they're sadly not fast drying. That is one thing in particular that I love about Essie that you don't get with these, but you can't have everything right? To achieve a fully opaque coverage I find two coats to be best but when I'm in rush I can get away with just one as it doesn't look overly streaky.
Application: The curved thick brush is absolutely perfect; it covers almost the entire nail and saves a lot of time, making application simple and effortless. The polish, and this is true for all colours, dries evenly and I've never had any issues with it going bubbly. I also find clean up, if I paint "outside the lines", easy as is the removal.
Finish: Glossy “gel” finish for all of these colours and I find the shine is even more noticeable and long-lasting when used with the top coat. I’ve had my current mani on since last Thursday and it is still shining away.
Now, onto the burning question…do they REALLY last 7 days? When used alone, with no base coat or top coat, these polishes do not have a fighting chance. I’ve tested this out and it last 2 days before chipping. With the base and top coat from Essie, they last me about 4-5 days with no chipping. The real magic happens when you use the polish with the base and top coat from the same range. Of course, they were designed to work well together so no surprises there. I can get 6 days of wear with no chipping if I reapply the top coat 2 or 3 days later than my original application. It has never lasted me 7 days with no chipping but like I said, I did my nails last Thursday and the polish is still here with minor chipping, which I can get away with.
A side note…the Maybelline SuperStay Gel Nail Color is technically not a gel. Given the increasing popularity of gel manicures, it is quite clever for brands to name their products this way, leading to customers to believe their manicure will last longer. To a certain extent, that is true given this hybrid formula is meant to be longer lasting than the usual polish but of course, they won't last as long as the real gel does. This "gel" formula doesn't require curing under a UV/LED lamp, nor does it need to be soaked to be removed.
Now, onto the burning question…do they REALLY last 7 days? When used alone, with no base coat or top coat, these polishes do not have a fighting chance. I’ve tested this out and it last 2 days before chipping. With the base and top coat from Essie, they last me about 4-5 days with no chipping. The real magic happens when you use the polish with the base and top coat from the same range. Of course, they were designed to work well together so no surprises there. I can get 6 days of wear with no chipping if I reapply the top coat 2 or 3 days later than my original application. It has never lasted me 7 days with no chipping but like I said, I did my nails last Thursday and the polish is still here with minor chipping, which I can get away with.
A side note…the Maybelline SuperStay Gel Nail Color is technically not a gel. Given the increasing popularity of gel manicures, it is quite clever for brands to name their products this way, leading to customers to believe their manicure will last longer. To a certain extent, that is true given this hybrid formula is meant to be longer lasting than the usual polish but of course, they won't last as long as the real gel does. This "gel" formula doesn't require curing under a UV/LED lamp, nor does it need to be soaked to be removed.
In short:
PROS
- Formula creamy and highly pigmented
- Only 2 coats needed but can get away with just one
- Application easy thanks to its curved brush
- Dries evenly and it is not streaky
- Does not go bubbly
- Easy cleanup and removal
- Lasting shiny gel-like finish
- Long wearing
- Affordable
- Easily Available
CONS
- Not quick drying
- Technically not a gel
- 7-day promise untrue
- Best with of base and top coat from same range (extra purchase)
- Limited shade range in the UK
Find the range here, priced at £4.49 each. |
All in all… if you're into affordable, great quality polishes that are longer lasting than your usual brand, this range is the one for you to try. I'd love to see more shades available at Boots and the pros definitely outweigh the cons. I have worn these polishes on repeat and I'm sure these will be my go-to polishes for months to come.
Tell me, have you tried these polishes? I want to know your opinion so let me know below!
Thanks for reading beauties and have a nice weekend ahead!
xoxo
Tem cores giras!
ReplyDeleteIsabel Sá
Brilhos da Moda
ohhhh what fab colors!!
ReplyDeletekisses from the sandpit ❤︎
www.mahryska.com
have a great day hun! xxxx
DeleteThank you for this honest post:-) I use hybrid varnish with a lamp because I'm a little lazy and I do not like to paint too often ;-)
ReplyDeleteI used to as well but they maybe my nails so weak!
DeleteGreat post! amazing style .
ReplyDeleteOnline shopping sites
I'm popping into Boots today because I was actually thinking about getting some new polishes. Deep red is my fave for this season, so I'm defo going to check this Maybelline collection out.
ReplyDeleteMich x
https://michjosephblog.wordpress.com
yay, get the base coat and top coat too (3 for 2) :)
DeleteI totally agree, these definitely need a top and bottom coat otherwise they don't last, but they are still my favourite formula out there. Rose Poudre is the one that I think lasts the longest on my nails as it doesn't really chip but instead the colour more 'fades' on the tips! xx
ReplyDeletewww.iridescentplaces.com
yes exactly! Same thing happens to me!
DeleteI know Dagmara adores these but I personally have never tried them.
ReplyDeleteShireen⎜Reflection of Sanity
Love the 'Divine Wine' shade, thanks for sharing your review!
ReplyDeletejointyicroissanty
These sound quite good! I love shellac and gel manis too but truth is, I like changing colors after a week, so these nail polishes sound perfect for me! :o The shades are exactly my go-to shades when I don't feel like experimenting, I could wear these colors all year round! Thanks for the review, lovely! I'm definitely trying them!
ReplyDeletexx
www.stylebydeb.com
I love all the shades. They are so pretty!
ReplyDeletehttp://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
Awww too bad the 7days stay is not true but the colors looks nice.
ReplyDeleteGreat review dear!
Much Love,
Zarrah | The Bandwagon Chic
What a great roundup of products!!
ReplyDeletexx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: CASUAL CHIC AUTUMN STYLE
Ah! It's not a gel, just the name! And ayway, 4-5 days lasting power is quite OK, for me it would have lasted 3 days - don't ask me why, polishes last around that for me. And I don't go through house chores, so, it's maybe a nail problem :) I liked the polish, the colour on your nails is lovely! Hope you have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
Great review, I'd heard really good things about them too!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend :)
Rosanna x
Rose's Rooftop
Ive heard good things about these, they are such lovely colours but it's annoying that they're not quite like a gel.
ReplyDeletewww.misslaurenmorgan.blogspot.co.uk
Haven't tried this one. Too bud it doesn't fulfill its 7 day promise. I hate nail polishes that claim they're "gel" type, which they are not.
ReplyDeleteJoy to the World
Amei o esmalte rosinha mais claro, adoro tons mais nude para as unhas.
ReplyDeleteGostei do acabamento. Só é chato não secar rápido. Acabo sempre ficando com marcas no esmalte. Por isso, recentemente, deixei de usar esmalte e agora uso verniz gel. Amo! Só sinto é falta dessas cores lindas e estão sempre saindo novidades.
Beijinhos
Maria
Words of Mary
I actually like the formula of Maybelline nail varnishes but they definitely don't look gel-like do they! And they never last 7 days, sob :( I really love that Divine Wine shade though! xx
ReplyDeletehannatalks
I'll look out for these x
ReplyDeletewww.ofbeautyandnothingness.co.uk
Gorgeous colors dear, my fave would be the first one (red), that's just a really fab shade. Btw, thanks for the genuine review.
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
Beautiful colours! Really nice photos too
ReplyDeleteTrend-Mae
They are such gorgeous polishes, and so affordable too xx
ReplyDeleteGemma • Gemma Etc. ❤️