Help!

[u/los013]

I ordered some swatch sticks on Amazon, and am so frustrated because I switched every single polish in my collection, let them dry completely, and then used the Essie gel setter topcoat on all of them. Once those fully dried, pretty much every one is now ruined because they’re not glossy and for some reason, have a frosty matte finish when that’s not how the finish is normally. Can anyone let me know why this is happening?

[u/polydactyling]

I can’t help you but can confirm this is a thing with that topcoat!! I’ve had the exact same thing happen on swatch sticks. It’s not every time and I have no idea what causes it, and the topcoat still works fine on my nails (wearing it rn and they’re glossy perfection). I switched to Sally Hansen QDTC in the red bottle for my swatches and it hasn’t happened again.

[u/los013 → u/polydactyling]

I’m glad it’s not just me! It was the same way, it did not happen with my first few but then other random ones it would and it didn’t even matter if they were the same brand of polish or not. I found with putting it on my actual nails that I still have to wait until the polish underneath is completely dry or else it will shrink but otherwise it’s normally a great topcoat. I’m going to try the Sally Hansen one, thank you!

[u/polydactyling → u/los013]

YES even on the swatch sticks that didn’t turn matte, I had a lot of shrinkage with the Essie! It’s a good topcoat but honestly when it comes to swatches I just want to throw polish on there and move on with my life 😂 Sally’ll get you there!

[u/Away_Discussion8856]

some swatch sticks just be like that sadly. if you want it super glossy paint the underside of the swatch with 2-3 coats and then you’re done! no top coat needed

[u/Complete-Parsley-589 → u/Away_Discussion8856]

That's so weird/interesting that the material would would still impact the top coat through layers of lacquer.

[u/Away_Discussion8856 → u/Complete-Parsley-589]

idk all of my polishes that i didn’t top coat with seshe vite or whatever that top coat is it became super matte and had weird lines in it. idk i think some of the ingredients in the polish may cause it??

[u/ReadnPolished]

I’ve just been using my old non QDTC top coats that I have no other use for. OPI shiny top and Sally Hansen 2 step gel (not gel) top coat and a random one from Anise - I’ve not had this issue at all.

[u/therhubarbexperience]

What nail polishes are these?

Sorry, I’m not helpful, just loving the fall/winter shades

[u/los013 → u/therhubarbexperience]

Thank you! Left to right:

OPI - Black Cherry Chutney (my fav)
OPI - Lincoln Park After Dark
OPI - Less is Norse (also a fav)
OPI - Malaga Wine
Essie - Take the Espresso

Some other honorable mentions are OPI Times Infinity (plum/berry purple creme) and Holo Taco Holo Cappuccino (sparkly medium brown)

[u/therhubarbexperience → u/los013]

Thank you! Really nice colors, especially together

[u/Holy_Blue → u/los013]

I’m also just dropping in to say this is a lovely fall skittle!

[u/External-Adeptness88]

Ive definitely had this issue and started to put a basecoat on before the polish and that fixed the problem. I use the orly basecoat since it peels my nails and thats a good way to use it up

[u/los013 → u/External-Adeptness88]

This is a great recommendation, thank you!

[u/Pennyforyourswatch]

Apply a cheap gel top coat, works everytime on my swatches

[u/TomFromMyspacesShirt → u/Pennyforyourswatch]

Same, I use LA Colors Plumping top coat.

[u/Icy-Spirit-5892]

I paint on the underside to avoid needing top coat.

[u/ihadamoment]

I imagine the solvent in lacquer interacts with the plastic of the swatch sticks, ultimately altering the chemistry just enough to change how it dries. I don't know what kind of plastic we need to look for to avoid this problem, but I've noticed it myself as well. :(

[u/egretwtheadofmeercat]

Did you try adding another topcoat? Try a different one

[u/spicedpancake]

It may be humidity!! I've had this happen on swatch sticks and my actual nails whenever I work on them in a too humid environment. It does something weird after you put the topcoat on and makes them all cloudy.

I've ran experiments on different topcoats, basecoats, etc and I can consistently get the cloudy thing when I work on them in 2 locations that legitimately are more humid than my home. Shame bc I have a lot of downtime at my job and thought I could knock out a bunch at work but it's a humid manufacturing facility and just not meant to be 😭😭

Side note my boyfriend works on cars and says this is also an issue in car and housepainting, which i didn't know lol

[u/Rabiosa13]

Middle. The greyish one

[u/gibberishxox]

I know this doesn't help your problem, but if you paint the under side of the swatch stick, it gives it a top coat look.