Ava Monroe
There are several methods to make nail varnish dry faster. One way is to apply thin coats of polish, as thicker coats will take longer to dry and may look uneven. Using a quick-drying top coat can also help, and these can be purchased cheaply at most drug stores. Additionally, submerging your nails in ice-cold water can help to set the polish. Other methods include using drying drops, hairspray, or cooking spray.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of coats | Multiple thin coats dry faster than fewer thick coats |
| Application technique | Apply with pressure and fan out the brush |
| Top coat | Use a quick-drying top coat |
| Temperature | Submerging nails in ice water helps polish dry faster |
| Air drying | Allow nails to air-dry for at least 10 minutes |
| Commercial products | OPI Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops, Demert's Nail Enamel Dryer, and other drying drops and sprays |
| Household products | Hairspray, cooking spray, and oils (coconut, olive, baby oil) |
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What You'll Learn
Apply thin coats of nail varnish
Applying thin coats of nail varnish is one of the most important factors in making nail varnish dry faster. Thick layers of nail varnish will always take longer to dry, and the finish can look uneven and goopy. By applying thin coats of nail varnish, you allow the solvents in the varnish to escape properly without getting stuck in thicker coats, which is where bubbling happens.
Brittney Boyce, celebrity nail artist and founder of NAILS OF LA, recommends applying polish in three strokes: one down the center and then one on each side. Boyce also recommends using a quick-drying top coat.
It is also important to wait a few minutes in between coats to allow the polish to dry evenly and faster. Syreeta Aaron, professional nail artist and LeChat Nails educator, recommends fan-drying your nails for 30 to 60 seconds after applying your base coat, and then repeating the process of fan-drying for 30 seconds to a minute after applying each layer of colour.
If you are in a rush, there are other methods you can use to dry your nail varnish faster, such as submerging your nails in ice-cold water, using drying drops, or using a nail drying spray.
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Use quick-drying top coats
Quick-drying top coats are a great way to speed up the nail varnish drying process. They are clear coats that you can apply over your manicure to help it dry faster. These top coats include solvents that dry all the layers of your polish and can be applied on wet or tacky nail polish. Quick-drying top coats form a hard outer shell on your polish within 30 seconds, and then your polish will dry all the way down to your nail.
To use a quick-drying top coat, start by applying two thin coats of your chosen nail polish colour to all your nails. It is important to apply thin coats as they dry faster and more evenly. There is no need to wait for your nail polish to dry before moving on to the quick-drying top coat. However, ensure that you apply thin, even coats of nail polish.
Next, pull the brush out of the top coat bottle and remove the excess polish from one side of the brush by pulling it against the neck of the bottle. Using the bead of product on the other side of the brush, apply the quick-drying top coat to the base of your nail and pull it up towards the free edge.
Different brands offer quick-drying top coats, such as Seche Vite, Olive and June, Côte, KBShimmer, and Cuticula. These top coats can help speed up the drying process and give your nails a beautiful, shiny, and professional finish. Some also offer additional benefits, such as protecting your nails from harmful UV rays, which can cause discolouration.
It is important to note that while quick-drying top coats significantly reduce drying time, they may not always provide the same long-lasting results as regular top coats.
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Dip nails in ice-cold water
Dipping your nails in ice-cold water is a well-known method to dry your nail varnish faster. It is recommended that you fill a bowl with cold water and ice cubes before you start painting your nails. After painting your nails, dip your hands into the bowl of freezing water for a few minutes.
One source suggests that you should let your nail varnish set for a minute or two before dipping your nails into the ice water. You can test if your nails are dry by lightly tapping your pinky nails together—if they stick together, they are not fully dry.
Another source suggests that you should let your nails air-dry for at least 10 minutes before dipping them into the ice water. This is because the ice water may not be the best solution for drying the bottom layers of polish.
After removing your hands from the ice water, you can air-dry your nails for 2 minutes or gently wash your hands.
This method works because the ice-cold water helps the thickeners in the polish settle faster, causing the nail varnish to harden and dry more quickly.
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Use drying drops
Drying drops are a great way to get your nail varnish to dry faster. They are formulated with an oil and silicone blend that absorbs the solvents in nail polish, speeding up the drying process. Some drops also have added conditioning benefits.
There are many different types of drying drops available on the market. OPI Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops are a good option, as they are formulated with an oil and silicone blend that will help to speed up the drying process. Manucurist also offers a drying drop product that cuts their Green™ polish drying time in half. Côte Beauty offers a quick-dry topcoat that dries in three minutes or less and will give your nails a shiny, professional finish.
To use drying drops, simply paint your nails with quick-dry drops of fast-drying nail polish and wait a few minutes. Your nail polish will dry more quickly, and your topcoat will have a beautiful, shiny, professional finish. It is important to note that you should not touch your nails for a few minutes after applying the drying drops, as they will not dry instantly.
In addition to using drying drops, there are a few other things you can do to help speed up the drying process. First, make sure you are applying thin layers of polish. Thick layers will take longer to dry and can look uneven. Second, try to use a quick-drying top coat. This will help to speed up the overall drying time. Finally, you can try submerging your nails in an ice bath or holding them in front of a fan or air conditioner to help the polish harden more quickly.
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Use a nail drying spray
Using a nail drying spray is a great way to quickly dry your nail varnish. Nail drying sprays are not hard to find and can be purchased at your local drug store. They are also available online. One popular brand is Demert's Nail Enamel Dryer, which helps to dry nails faster while also hydrating cuticles.
To use a nail drying spray, first, let your nails air dry for at least 10 minutes. Then, hold the can about 1 to 2 feet away from your hand and spray each nail for about 3 seconds. Be sure to follow any specific instructions on the product you choose.
It's important to note that nail drying sprays may not completely dry your nail varnish in seconds, especially if you are using a traditional nail polish. However, they can significantly reduce the drying time, knocking off about 10 to 15 minutes from the initial drying process.
Some people prefer using quick-dry top coats instead of sprays, as they find that the sprays may not always work as effectively. It's worth trying out different methods and products to see what works best for you.
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Frequently asked questions
Apply thin coats of polish. Thick layers will take longer to dry and may look uneven.
Two or three. Make sure you wait a few minutes between coats to allow the polish to dry evenly and faster.
Yes, quick-drying top coats, drying drops, and nail-drying sprays can all help speed up the drying process.
Yes, you can try submerging your nails in ice-cold water or using cooking spray or oils such as baby oil, olive oil, or coconut oil.
