The tinted top coat is an interesting one and although you can use any top coat you’d like, the shine and gel-look are really because of it. I have not tried any other top coats with this nail polish, so I’m sure the final finish could possibly be replicated. However, I believe the idea of this 2-step application system is to have everything you need in one place. The colours in this new collection range from deep reds, to pinks to neutrals so essentially very classic and core colours that everyone would want to have in their collection. Why not have these core colours packaged in a way where you wouldn’t need anything else? The price still surprises me, but the quality is bang on. The shine is fabulous and the wear time of 12 days is so far living up to its claim.