Noah Sinclair
There are many tricks and tips to speed up the nail polish drying process. One of the most popular methods is to run your hands under cold water or submerge them in a bowl of cold water or ice water. While this can help harden the top layer of polish, it does not dry the nails completely. Many nail experts also recommend using a fan or blow dryer on a cool setting to help the solvents in nail polish evaporate faster.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speed of drying | Cold water can speed up the drying time of nail polish |
| Cost | This method is free |
| Effectiveness | Cold water can harden the top layer of nail polish, but the rest of the polish may remain soft and vulnerable to denting |
| Practicality | This method may not be practical for drying the bottom layers of polish |
| Application | Nails should be submerged in cold water for 3-5 minutes, or as long as possible |
| Other uses of cold | Cold air from a fan or blow dryer can also help nail polish to dry faster |
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What You'll Learn
Celebrity manicurists recommend cold water
Celebrity manicurists recommend using cold water to dry nail polish faster. Michelle Humphrey, the celebrity manicurist whose talent graces the talons of Madonna and Katy Perry, confirms that submerging your nails in cold water can speed up the drying time. She advises filling a bowl with cold water, dipping your nails, and waiting 3 to 5 minutes. You can even add a few ice cubes to make the temperature cooler. However, it's important to be cautious when drying your hands and nails afterward as they may still get marked.
Another celebrity nail artist, Brittney Boyce, founder of NAILS OF LA, recommends using a tap with cold running water or filling a bowl with ice water before painting your nails. This method helps the thickeners in the polish settle faster. However, Boyce cautions that this technique may not be ideal for drying the bottom layers of polish and may cause the manicure to look uneven or chip faster.
While cold water can speed up the drying process, it's important to note that it may not completely dry your nails. The top layer of your polish may harden, but there could still be soft polish underneath that needs time to air dry. Therefore, it's crucial to be gentle with your nails even after using the cold water trick.
Additionally, celebrity manicurists offer other tips to dry nail polish faster. Boyce emphasizes the importance of thin, even layers, stating that thick layers take longer to dry and can result in an uneven and goopy finish. Syreeta Aaron, a professional nail artist and LeChat Nails educator, suggests fan-drying your nails for 30 to 60 seconds after each layer of polish. While some recommend using a blow-dryer on the cold setting, Boyce suggests using a fan on a low setting to avoid reducing shine or moving the polish. Applying cuticle oil, such as Solar Oil by CND, can also speed up drying and protect the polish.
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Cold water hardens the top layer of nail polish
The science behind using cold water to dry nail polish faster is that cold water hardens the top layer of nail polish. In warm environments, the evaporation of solvents in nail polish slows down, lengthening the drying time. On the other hand, cold water speeds up this evaporation process, causing the top layer of polish to harden.
To use this method, you can either run your nails under cold running water or submerge them in a bowl of ice water. If you opt for the bowl method, prepare the bowl of ice water before painting your nails to avoid messing with the wet polish. It is also important to apply thin layers of polish, as thicker coats will take longer to dry.
After painting your nails, allow them a few moments to dry in the open air before exposing them to cold water. Keep your fingers still and separated to prevent any smudging or marking. You can hold your nails under the tap or in the bowl of ice water for a couple of minutes, then remove them and let them finish drying naturally.
While cold water can effectively harden the top layer of nail polish, it may not be the best method for drying the bottom layers. Therefore, it is crucial to let your nails air dry for a few more minutes after removing them from the water to ensure that all layers of polish are completely dry.
Additionally, using cold water to dry nail polish may cause your manicure to look uneven or chip faster. Hence, it is recommended to use a fan on a low setting or a blow dryer on a cool setting to dry your nails evenly and reduce the risk of chipping.
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Cold water doesn't dry the bottom layers of nail polish
While cold water can be used to dry nail polish faster, it may not be the best solution for drying the bottom layers of polish. This is because the top layer of polish hardens first, leaving soft polish underneath that still needs to dry. In addition, this method may cause your manicure to look uneven or chip faster later on.
To ensure that your nail polish dries evenly, it is recommended to apply thin, even layers of polish. Thick layers will not only take longer to dry but can also result in an uneven and goopy finish. After applying your first layer of polish (the base coat), fan-dry your nails for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, add your colour of choice with one layer and repeat the process of fan-drying for 30 seconds to a minute. Repeat this process after the second coat and the topcoat until your nails are fully dry.
If you are short on time, you can try using a one-step polish that does not require a base or top coat. Additionally, some nail polish colours dry faster than others. Sheer or metallic shades, for example, generally contain more solvents and will therefore dry quicker.
Another tip to speed up the drying process is to use a fast-drying topcoat. While blasting your nails with a blow-dryer on the cool setting can also dry your manicure faster, this method may reduce shine and even cause the polish to become uneven. Instead, you can use a fan on a low setting to help the polish firm up and dry faster without moving the polish.
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Cold water vs. ice bath for drying nail polish
There are various methods to dry nail polish faster, including using a hairdryer on a cold setting, applying cuticle oil, or using a fast-drying top coat. However, the ice bath method, which involves dipping your freshly painted nails into ice-cold water, is a particularly popular trick. But does it work?
Celebrity manicurist Michelle Humphrey confirms that submerging your nails in cold water can indeed speed up the drying time. She recommends filling a bowl with cold water, dipping your nails in, and waiting 3–5 minutes. Boyce, a nail expert, agrees that running your nails under cold water helps thickeners in the polish settle faster.
However, some people have expressed skepticism about the ice bath method. Doug Schoon, an expert in nail structure and product chemistry, says that the water doesn't need to be cold and that this method won't properly dry the nails. Instead, it only hardens the top layer of polish, leaving the rest soft and susceptible to dents and smudges. This is because the solvents underneath need to evaporate, which is impossible when the nails are immersed in water. As a result, your nails will still need some air-drying time after the ice bath.
Additionally, some people who have tried the ice bath method have reported mixed results. While some individuals have found success, others have experienced smudging and messiness due to their nails tapping against ice cubes.
To increase the chances of success with the ice bath method, preparation is key. You can use a tap with cold running water or fill a bowl with ice cubes and water. If using a bowl, prepare it before painting your nails to avoid messing with wet polish. It is also crucial to paint thin layers of polish, as thicker coats will take longer to dry, regardless of the method used. Allow your nails to dry for a few moments in the open air before submerging them in the water or holding them under the tap. Keep your fingers separated and away from the ice cubes to avoid marking your manicure. Finally, after a couple of minutes, remove your fingers from the water and let them finish drying naturally.
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Other ways to dry gel nail polish
There are several ways to dry gel nail polish other than using cold water. Here are some alternative methods:
Using a Fan
A gentle, low-speed fan placed at a distance can help the solvents in nail polish evaporate faster without disturbing the polish. This method is recommended by nail expert Boyce, who suggests that using a blow dryer on the cool setting may reduce shine and even cause unevenness in the polish.
Fast-Drying Topcoat
Applying a fast-drying topcoat can significantly reduce the drying time of your gel nail polish. Boyce recommends Le Mini Macaron's Le Sweet Top Coat, which dries faster when exposed to sunlight and provides a durable finish.
Thin Coats of Polish
Applying thin coats of nail polish can help speed up the drying process. Even if you need to apply multiple coats to achieve the desired opacity, thinner layers will dry faster than thicker ones.
Nail-Drying Sprays
Nail-drying sprays, such as Demert's Nail Enamel Dryer, can help your nail polish dry faster while also hydrating your cuticles.
Cooking Spray or Oils
If you don't have access to nail-drying sprays, you can use cooking spray or oils like coconut, olive, or baby oil. These products contain a blend of oil and silicone that absorb the solvents in nail polish, promoting faster drying.
Air Conditioner or Freezer
Exposing your nails to cold air from an air conditioner or freezer can help solidify and dry your nail polish faster. Hold your hands in front of the cold air source for about 2 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cold water does help speed up the drying time for gel nail polish. However, it is important to note that it only helps harden the top layer of the polish. When you take your nails out of the water, the rest of the polish will still be soft and susceptible to smudging.
To use cold water to dry your gel nail polish, simply fill a bowl with cold water, submerge your nails, and wait 3-5 minutes. It is recommended to use a steady flow of water rather than a heavy one to avoid smudging.
Yes, there are several other methods to quickly dry gel nail polish. Some alternatives include using a hairdryer on a cold setting, applying cuticle oil, using a fast-drying top coat, and using thin layers of polish.
