After developing an allergy to gel nails a couple of years ago (a dark, dark day as a beauty editor), I’ve been making it my quest to find the best gel nail alternatives. While I love nail polish, it chips too quickly, and I’m way too impatient to let it dry properly. Press-on nails can be hit or miss, and there’s nothing more mortifying than one pinging off when you open a can of Diet Coke. The best alternatives I’ve tried so far are Essie’s Gel Couture Top Coat and the Manucurist Green Flash Nail LED Kit—both of which I’ve been impressed with.
However, Manucurist just launched a brand-new top coat, the Xtrem Flash™ Gel Top Coat (£25), which promises up to 21 days of chip-free wear. I’ve been secretly testing this gel nail alternative in the weeks leading up to its launch, and I’m seriously impressed. Scroll on ahead for my review.
Manucurist Xtrem Flash™ Gel Top Coat
Manucurist
Xtrem Flash™ Gel Top Coat
Pros
- Looks and feels like gel, without being a gel polish
- Can make manicures last up to 21 days
- Glossy and plump finish
- Dries under Manucurist’s lamp in 2 minutes
Cons
- Can only be used with Manucurist Green Flash polishes
- Can take practise to nail the technique for long-lasting manis
- Takes longer to remove compared to the original Green Flash formula
How Does it Work?
The Xtrem Flash Top Coat works with Manucurist’s Green Flash LED Nail Kit, helping to seal in your Manucurist Green Flash nail polish colour for up to 21 days. For those not familiar with the brand, you “cure” it under its LED nail lamp, and it dries to a hard-wearing, ultra-glossy finish that looks and feels just like a gel manicure. But, it doesn’t have the ingredients that you’ll find in gel manis (great if you’re allergic to gel polishes), and it’s also easier and gentler to remove from the nails.
However, the Xtrem Flash Top Coat is a lot more long-lasting than the original Green Flash Top Coat, which lasts for up to 10 days. Xtrem Flash Top Coat promises up to three weeks of chip-free manis.
My Experience
Full disclosure: the first time I tried this top coat with my Green Flash nail colours, I painted them both on far too thickly, and it peeled off the next day. So take this as your warning: thin layers only! Apply thin, even layers of the polish, taking care not to get polish over the edges of your nails (which can cause lifting), and your manicure will last.
I did my usual nail prep, tidying up the cuticles, filing nails and ensuring my nails were dry and free from any residue before applying the polish. I tested both Dark Pansy (£19) (a deep ruby red) and Pale Rose (£19) (a sheer pink hue, pictured above) over the past couple of months with the Xtrem Flash Top Coat on top.
I was immediately struck by how glossy this top coat is. It applies in a luxuriously thick layer and hardens in just one minute under the LED lamp. Honestly, it looks and feels just like a gel manicure, with its plumped look and hard-as-glass finish. It dries immediately, so even if you knock your nails afterwards, there’s no risk of indents or smudging.
After a week, I noticed some very light chipping just on the ends of my nails (Manucurist recommend applying a touch of the top coat on the free edge of the nails, if they’re long enough, for a longer-lasting result). It was only at around two weeks that I noticed some larger chipping on a couple of nails, but they mostly held up very well.
When it comes to the removal, it does take a bit longer. For comparison, the Green Flash Top Coat takes about a minute to remove, whilst the Xtrem Flash Top Coat requires about 10 minutes. I recommend using the Manucurist Green Flash Remover (£16) with the Nail Clips (£6), as it quite literally dissolves away the polish and peels off from your nails without any damage.
My Verdict
If you’re looking for a gel nail alternative, then this is hands down the next best thing you can get. I was so impressed with the glossiness and longevity this top coat gave my manicures (you’d never know they weren’t gel), and it means my manicure routine is less high-maintenance now, as I can go a couple of weeks without having to redo my nails.
It does take a bit of practise to perfect the application, as too-thick application or polish running over the edges of the nails can cause it to lift prematurely. But after a couple of manis, you really get the hang of it, and your manicure can easily last for weeks. And whether you’re buying the Xtrem Flash Top Coat on its own or as part of a Starter Kit, in a couple of manicures, they’ll pay for themselves if you’re trading in a monthly in-salon manicure for them. In short, I can’t recommend it enough.
Shop Now:
Manucurist
Xtrem Flash™ Gel Top Coat
Manucurist
Super Starter Kit
How We Tested
Prior to its launch, I was sent the Manucurist Xtrem Flash Top Coat to test ahead of its launch this month. I did two manicures with it (with shades Dark Pansy and Pale Rose), evaluating how each fared with the Xtrem Flash Top Coat on top. I wore both manicures for over two weeks to see just how long-wearing the top coat was. Having previously tested the original Manucurist Green Flash Top Coat, I also compared how it performed against this formula.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
Explore More:
