i use seche vite top&base coat, and i love them. no complaints here.
solar oil cuticle oil is very nice, i havent had a snagged cuticle yet.
i perfer essie over pretty much anything, but tbh i havent tried too much of anything else. nyc came off my fingers too easily & opi was too difficult to apply.
colorwise, i think every girl should own a nude, red, coral, dark&light pink, and one outrageous color that reflects your personality.