6 Top Coats That Make Regular Nail Polish Look Like a Gel Manicure

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Hail the gel manicure. Widely praised for its long-lasting abilities and a shine that won't quit for weeks, the treatment is by far one of our favorites on the salon menu, and if you get a particularly good one, working the same mani for a month is a possible feat. The downfall? That annoying, growing-out period where the gels start to lift and catch your hair underneath every time you run your fingers through, and of course, the damage done to our natural nails after the fact.

Consider gel effect top coats the loophole, which deliver that same mirror-like shine, minus the upkeep and brittle nails. They give any traditional lacquer in your kit that coveted gel finish, but can be taken off with plain old nail polish remover. Shop our six favorites below.

VIDEO: How to Master the Rise and Shine Manicure

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Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Top Coat

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$5 Revlon SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Nails Inc. Kensington Caviar Gel Top Coat

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$15 Nails Inc. SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Dior Gel Top Coat

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$27 Dior SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Seche Vite Vive Instant Gel Effect Top Coat

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$10 Seche Vite SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Essie Gel Setter Top Coat

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$10 Essie SHOP IT Opens a new window

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Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat

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$8 Sally Hansen SHOP IT Opens a new window

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6 Top Coats That Make Regular Nail Polish Look Like a Gel Manicure