Essence Pastel Ombré Topcoat

I have a confession, this post was suppose to go up yesterday (Monday) so I'm sorry that it didn't. However when I swatched this particular polish,

 I was so cross that I just couldn't think of anything positive to write. It would have be a horrid post to read, so I decided to enjoy my evening watching Game of Thrones, sleep on it and come back to it today. I can't promise it'll be any nicer, but it will contain less swear words.

Essence Pastel Ombre Topcoat and Flashy Pumpkin

I went out and bought Essence's Ombré Topcoat at the weekend for 2 reasons

1. I saw a press release on it (ages ago) and immediately added it to my to buy list.

2. I then saw the lovely Dahlia Nails review it and I was even more sure that I needed it.

Their blue ombré mani was beautiful, what I have to show you today is not.

Firstly I used 2 coats of Flashy Pumpkin. I love this Essence polish, it's pigmented, smooth to apply and fast drying (I reviewed it here with other Essence colours last year). For £1.79 you can't ask for anything more from a polish. The Ombré Topcoat directions suggests you need to use a dark colour as the effect is more noticeable, so I thought this orange would be perfect.

Essence Flashy Pumpkin Colour & Go

I added one coat to all my nails and this is where the problems began. I found that these tiny little black stands appeared on my nail (bits of brush I think) which needed removing and then disrupted the topcoat. I also found the bristles of the brush were too hard and so left streaky marks when I applied the topcoat.

It has a very thick consistency and dries quickly so if you have large nails (like I do) and need to go back on any areas, it's already dried and then smudges.

Because of the thickness of the polish and the fast drying time, it's hard to cover all areas properly on each additional coat, so by the time you do 4 coats, it's impossible to get a good finish.

I added some Glossy Glam topcoat to the finished mani, which usually covers all manner of polish sins, but it couldn't fix this. This was doomed and nothing could save it. My index finger has 4 coats and then each additional finger has 1 less coat.

Essence Pastel Ombre Topcoat over Flashy Pumpkin

I think I can probably utilise this as a sheer white polish (I don't have one) and ignore its intended purpose. I certainly won't be using it again as a ombré topcoat and if it doesn't work out as a sheer white topcoat it's headed for the bin.

The idea is great, but the product isn't, so good try Essence but not good enough.

Should you wish you buy this it's available from Wilkinson Stores for £2.

What do you think of this product? Do you like wearing ombré manis and would you have used this?