# TLDR Review: Essie Strong Start Base and Top Coat

*Published: 2025-02-27 | Updated: 2025-02-27 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/essie-strong-start-base-and-top-coat*

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## Verdict

While the Essie Nail Care Vegan Clear Base and Top Coat Strong Start offers many benefits such as improved nail health and a long-lasting salon-fresh finish, some users have reported negative experiences including nail breakage and insufficient cuticle nourishment. If you're seeking a reputable brand that enhances nail growth and longevity, it may be worth a try. However, if you're concerned about brittleness or are looking for intense cuticle hydration, you might want to explore other options.

**Top pro:** Greatly improved the health of nails after gel salon use and discoloration.
**Top con:** Caused significant damage to nails, resulting in brittleness and pain.

## Product: Essie Strong Start Base and Top Coat
**Brand:** Essie
[Compare prices and price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/essie-strong-start-base-and-top-coat)

## Pros
- Greatly improved the health of nails after gel salon use and discoloration.
- Provides a salon-fresh look that lasts for at least two weeks.
- Works well in combination with Essie nail colors and top coat.
- Dried quickly and had a pleasant, less intense odor compared to other brands.
- Notable longevity; home manicures can last up to 2 weeks with proper care.
- High-quality nail health, backed by the reputable brand Essie.
- Application process was enjoyable with a good-quality brush that provided excellent coverage.
- Exceeded expectations, especially considering previous frustrations with nail polish durability.
- Effectively promotes nail growth and strength.
- Provides a clean and nice-looking finish to the nails.

## Cons
- Caused significant damage to nails, resulting in brittleness and pain.
- Experienced breakage in all nails after two weeks of use as directed.
- Considered overpriced at CVS, despite the quality.
- Minor chipping occurred after two days, leading to disappointment.
- Did not effectively moisturize or nourish cuticles, making them feel drier over time.
- Did not live up to expectations or promises, with a reviewer calling it a waste of money.
- Chipping occurred almost the next day after application, indicating better basecoat options might be available.
- Did not provide noticeable improvement in nail condition compared to other base coats.
- Disappointment with its ability to prevent chips, with nails chipping within two days.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Greatly improved the health of nails after gel salon use and discoloration. | Caused significant damage to nails, resulting in brittleness and pain. |
| Provides a salon-fresh look that lasts for at least two weeks. | Experienced breakage in all nails after two weeks of use as directed. |
| Works well in combination with Essie nail colors and top coat. | Considered overpriced at CVS, despite the quality. |
| Dried quickly and had a pleasant, less intense odor compared to other brands. | Minor chipping occurred after two days, leading to disappointment. |
| Notable longevity; home manicures can last up to 2 weeks with proper care. | Did not effectively moisturize or nourish cuticles, making them feel drier over time. |
| High-quality nail health, backed by the reputable brand Essie. | Did not live up to expectations or promises, with a reviewer calling it a waste of money. |
| Application process was enjoyable with a good-quality brush that provided excellent coverage. | Chipping occurred almost the next day after application, indicating better basecoat options might be available. |
| Exceeded expectations, especially considering previous frustrations with nail polish durability. | Did not provide noticeable improvement in nail condition compared to other base coats. |
| Effectively promotes nail growth and strength. | Disappointment with its ability to prevent chips, with nails chipping within two days. |
| Provides a clean and nice-looking finish to the nails. |  |

## Last Seen Prices

*Each price is the last one ShopSavvy observed, on 2026-10-06; it may have changed since.*

| Retailer | Price | Availability | Last seen |
|----------|-------|-------------|-----------|
| [Amazon](https://shopsavvy.com/api/redirect/products/EZKzMuHEcCByRIktO26z/offers/3cHEovjMvgKNGpslHlj3?source=shopsavvy&medium=article-review-tldr) | $9.36  | In Stock | 2026-10-06 |

[See every retailer and the full price history on ShopSavvy](https://shopsavvy.com/products/essie-strong-start-base-and-top-coat)

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*About this review: it summarizes the professional reviews and customer ratings ShopSavvy collected for this product, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data (each price shows when it was last seen).*

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