Today, we're going to talk about a top coat. Specifically, China Glaze's Fast Forward quick drying topcoat.

It truly does speed up drying time significantly, and it leaves a nice, glossy finish. Plus, China Glaze is definitely an affordable brand!

However, my kind words toward this product stop there.

Follow up:

China Glaze's Flying Dragon - no longer on my nail

You see that? Is the shape familiar? That was part of a manicure of mine. Using the Fast Forward top coat, I found I had entire nails of polish flaking off - meaning this was one of the smaller pieces. It just happens to be the one that came off with my camera in reach!

While I love the coloured China Glaze polishes I have, as well as the basecoat, this topcoat and I just aren't jivin'. When the polish manages to stay on the nail instead of popping off with the top coat as it pleases, it chips pretty darn quickly. Um, guys? I thought top coat was supposed to help prolong the wear of my nail polish?

Not this one! This is probably the only topcoat I've ever used that decreases a manicure's lifespan. It does nothing to help with preventing tip wear or guarding from chips, and it sure comes off in a hurry. Additionally, it's really thick, which makes it more awkward to apply than your standard topcoat. I know, there are other thick topcoats out there and plenty of people swear by them, but I prefer the more user-friendly thinner ones.

I'll continue to use the bottle if I need a quick slap-on paint job for an evening out, but for regular use I'm much more likely to reach for Sally Hansen's Insta-dri topcoat. Rest assured, I will not be repurchasing this item.