Bessie
BESSIE is a Korean gel nail brand, and this page gathers the full lineup we stock: base gels, color gels across dozens of shades, and top coats in both glossy and matte finishes. The 11ml soak-off color gels cover soft neutrals like Buttermilk and cooler tones like Periwinkle and Barnabana, so you can build a salon-style set at home. Pair a base gel, your color, and a top gel for a manicure that cures hard under a lamp and lasts for weeks.
By Skinsli editorial Updated
Buying guide
BESSIE gel nail buying guide
BESSIE makes soak-off gel nail polish in Korea: the kind you paint on, cure under a UV or LED lamp, and wear for two to three weeks without chips. This page lists the parts of the system we stock, from base and color gels to glossy and matte top coats, plus a few self gel nail kits. Below is how the range fits together and how to pick the pieces for the manicure you want.
What BESSIE gel polish is
BESSIE is a gel nail brand, not a regular nail lacquer. Gel polish stays wet until you cure it under a lamp, then sets to a hard, glossy film that resists chipping far longer than air-dry polish. The color gels we carry come in 11ml bottles with a brush in the cap, so each shade is ready to paint straight onto a prepped nail.
Base, color, and top: the three-step system
A BESSIE manicure uses three layers in order. The Base Gel grips the natural nail and gives the color something to hold onto. A Color Gel goes on next, usually in two thin coats with a cure between each. The Top Gel seals everything and adds shine or a matte finish. Skipping the base or top is the most common reason a gel set lifts early, so plan to buy all three rather than color alone.
The color range we stock
The bulk of this collection is color gels, and the shade list runs wide. You will find muted, wearable tones such as BG03 Buttermilk alongside cooler picks like V02 Periwinkle and Y04 Barnabana. Each color carries a code and a name on the bottle, which makes reordering an exact match easy once you find a shade you like. There are seasonal additions too, such as the Joyful Summer color, for anyone refreshing a palette.
Choosing a gloss or matte top gel
BESSIE offers two top coats, and the one you pick changes the whole look. The standard Top Gel cures to a wet, high-shine finish that most people associate with a salon gel manicure. The Matte Top Gel knocks that shine down to a soft, velvety surface over the same color underneath. Keep one of each on hand and you can take a single color in two directions without buying new shades.
Self gel nail kits for beginners
If you are new to gel and do not want to assemble the steps yourself, the Self Gel Nail option bundles the essentials into one purchase. It is a sensible starting point for a first at-home set before you commit to a full shelf of individual colors. Once you know the routine, you can branch out into the 11ml color gels and the separate base and top coats.
How to apply and cure
Start by buffing and dehydrating the nail so the gel adheres. Brush on a thin base coat and cure it under your lamp, then do the same with two coats of color, curing between each. Finish with the top gel and a final cure. Thin, even coats cure more fully and last longer than one thick layer, and they cut down on the heat spike some people feel under the lamp. Wipe any tacky residue with alcohol after the last cure.
Wear time and safe removal
A properly applied BESSIE set holds two to three weeks before regrowth shows at the cuticle. Do not peel gel off, as that pulls layers from the natural nail. Instead soak cotton in acetone, hold it against each nail under foil for ten to fifteen minutes, and gently push the softened gel away. Buff lightly and reapply a base coat before your next color to keep nails in good shape between manicures.
Bottle size and building a kit
Most BESSIE gels come in an 11ml bottle, which is a standard full size that lasts through many manicures. A practical first kit is one base, one top in your preferred finish, and two or three colors you will actually wear. From there you can expand the palette one shade at a time, since each color is sold on its own and reorders cleanly by its code.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is BESSIE a gel polish or a regular nail polish?
BESSIE makes soak-off gel polish. Unlike air-dry lacquer, it stays workable until you cure it under a UV or LED lamp, then sets to a hard, glossy film that wears for two to three weeks. You need a lamp to use it.
Do I need the BESSIE base gel and top gel, or just the color?
You want all three. The Base Gel helps the color grip the nail and the Top Gel seals and protects it. Painting a color gel on its own, with no base or top, is the most common reason a set lifts or peels within a few days.
What is the difference between the BESSIE Top Gel and the Matte Top Gel?
Both seal your color, but the finish differs. The standard Top Gel cures to a high-shine, wet-look gloss. The Matte Top Gel gives the same color a soft, velvety, non-reflective surface. Keep both and you can wear one shade two ways.
How do I apply BESSIE gel nails at home?
Buff and dehydrate the nail, brush on a thin base coat and cure it, then apply two thin coats of color, curing between each. Finish with the top gel and a final cure, then wipe any tacky layer with alcohol. Thin, even coats cure better and last longer than one thick layer.
What kind of lamp do I need to cure BESSIE gel?
A UV or LED nail lamp cures soak-off gel like BESSIE. An LED lamp sets each coat in roughly 30 to 60 seconds; an older UV lamp takes a couple of minutes. The lamp is not included with individual color gels, so make sure you have one before your first set.
How do I remove BESSIE gel without damaging my nails?
Do not peel it off, since that strips layers from the natural nail. Soak cotton in acetone, hold it on each nail under foil for ten to fifteen minutes, then gently push the softened gel away. Buff lightly afterward and apply a fresh base coat before your next color.
How long does a BESSIE gel manicure last?
A correctly applied set, with base and top coats and full cures, typically holds two to three weeks before regrowth shows at the cuticle. Thin coats, capping the free edge, and avoiding peeling all help it reach the longer end of that range.
Which BESSIE colors should a beginner start with?
Soft, wearable neutrals like BG03 Buttermilk are forgiving for a first set because small unevenness shows less than with dark or bright shades. Once you are comfortable, branch into cooler picks such as V02 Periwinkle or Y04 Barnabana. Each shade carries a code on the bottle, so reordering an exact match is easy.
Is BESSIE an authentic Korean brand?
Yes. BESSIE is a Korean gel nail brand, and the gels we list are the genuine product. We carry the base, color, and top gels together so you can build a complete BESSIE manicure from one place.