This $8 top coat on Amazon makes regular nail polish look shiny and stay chip-free just like a gel manicure

Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

For a long time, I kept my nails bare because the process of watching my nail polish (aka my money) chip off within a day or two was like torture. I tried going the gel manicure route, but the process of removing that polish was brutal. Every time I went for a new manicure, my nails just looked weaker and thinner.

Given that's it's 2022 and like, people are going to space now, it occurred to me that there had to be a top coat that kept my manicure chip-free for longer than a day or two. A quick Amazon search led me to Seche Vive's Gel Effect Top Coat. It's an Amazon's Choice product with more than 5,600 ratings and 4.6 out of 5 stars. It also happened to be on sale when I came across it, so I decided to buy it and put it to the test.

Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat, $7.99 (Orig. $9.95)

$7.99 $9.95 at Amazon

Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat review

This is my manicure when I first got it done:

This is my mani on day three:

And this is my mani on day five:

As you can see, there are a few small chips in the corners after five days, but that's mostly due to my bad habit of peeling labels off with my nails. Also, I refuse to wash dishes with gloves, so there's that. Given those two contributing factors, I have to admit that my mani is pretty good shape, which has basically never happened a with regular (non-gel) manicure.

I also put the Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat in a side by side comparison with an actual gel manicure:

If you look at the pic above, you probably can't tell which nails have actual gel nail polish and which have regular nail polish with the Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat, right? The yellow is the gel nail polish and the pink is the regular nail polish with the Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat on top. Pretty impressive, right?

If you like the look of a thick and shiny gel manicure without actually having to go through the hassle of getting a gel manicure, then I highly recommend the Seche Vive Gel Effect Top Coat. It's super affordable, and as you can see from the pic above, it really does extend the life of your mani.

If you liked this story, check out this popular under-$10 foot cream that Amazon shoppers love.

More from In The Know:

The best-selling under-bed storage bags that hold 24 pairs of shoes are 40% off on Amazon: 'I was able to fit almost every kind of shoe'

9 of the best deals under $25 to shop on Amazon this weekend

You have to see these seriously flattering J.Crew swimsuits — they're all less than $20 this weekend!

Wayfair's Flash Deal Friday is here! Save up to 72% off furniture, decor and more for 24 hours only

The post I tested this best-selling, under-$10 top coat, and it kept my manicure flawless for days appeared first on In The Know.