Friday, January 23, 2026

Essie Here to Stay Base Coat Review


 I'm in a state of worry. Usually when I get like that I just sit on the couch and let my worries consume me. I'm trying to do something different than my usual. So I thought I would crank out a few posts. Starting with a base coat. The second most important step in DIY manicures. 

 Essie claims: 

base coat formulated with color-adhesive technology to help hold color to your nail while providing a barrier that prevents nail staining.

formulated with color-adhesive technology to help hold color to your nail while providing a barrier that prevents nail staining.

  • champion of longwear
  • innovative color-adhesive technology applies smoothly to help bond color to the nail. provides a barrier to help prevent nail staining.
  • the result: extended wear for your manicure

I fell completely off with painting my nails last year- which I'm working on and doing a lot better job of keeping color on my nails this year. I think the main deterrent was my current nail polish remover sucks and I don't want to use it. But it's nearly all gone and almost time to replace so I am just powering through it.

Anyway...let' talk base coats. I almost never skip base coat these days. It can help prevent staining, smooth out ridges and make your nail polish last so much longer. It went from being a step I always skipped- to a must. 

I've tried many base coats through the years. This one is OK. I like it better as far as lasting power than the previous one I was using from Essie. But it's really nothing to write home about. 

It feels like it creates a really sticky base. My nails still chip lately- but they chip like they really didn't want to. I think the base coat is really trying to hold the color- but the current top coat I am using won't let it be great. I'm using Essie Stay Longer top coat at the moment. Seems like they should go together but I haven't had the best luck with it unless I'm using it for a pedicure- then my polish wears weeks and weeks and the only reason to change the color is because of the grow out.

Overall, I like this base coat. I think it does what it claims but your mileage will vary depending on what top coat you use. If I end up using it with another top coat and it works better, I'll come back and update this post. 

What's your favorite base coat? 

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