How to Make My Nails Dry Faster?
We've all been there: impatiently waiting for our nails to dry, only to smudge them moments later. It's a frustrating experience that leaves us wondering, "How long does it take for nails to fully dry?"
While nail polish typically takes around seven to ten minutes to thoroughly dry on the surface, achieving a complete and solid set can literally take hours. By this we mean that although the bottle says that the polish dries in, say, 60 seconds, the reality is different. Even if the surface isn’t tacky, you wouldn’t want to put on socks or dig in your pocket for at least ten minutes.
But don't worry, we have some fantastic tips on how to make your nails dry faster, ensuring that you can flaunt your new manicure in no time!
Pro Tips for Drying Nails Faster
Here are the tips you need to dry nail polish faster.
Thin Coats
First and foremost, applying thin coats of nail lacquer is a game-changer. By doing so, you're allowing each layer to dry more quickly and efficiently. Thick layers will slow down the dry time and up the risk of smudges. Meanwhile, thin layers speed up the drying process and create a more long-lasting finish.
Give Each Coat Time to Dry
To achieve the best results, wait for two minutes between each coat. That’s about how long it takes to finish all ten fingers or toes.
Use a Fan or Hairdryer
Another helpful trick to dry your nails faster is using a fan on low or a hairdryer on the cool setting. The cool air helps set the nail polish without causing any damage. Just make sure to keep a safe distance while using the dryer to avoid accidentally smudging your nails.
Use a Quick-dry Top Coat
Next up, using a quick-dry top coat can save the day. This product is designed to protect your nail polish and reduce the time it takes for your nails to dry. By applying a quick-dry top coat, you can significantly cut down the drying time, and it also adds an extra layer of protection against chipping and fading. We have a few fast-dry, glossy top coats to recommend:
Seche Vite Top Coat
Fans of this product love how it extends the lifetime of manicures and pedicures. More than that, the formula penetrates through the nail lacquer to dry and harden all the layers in record time. It leaves the nails with a shiny, silken surface that resists chipping and peeling for a week or longer.
Kiara Sky Fast Dry Top Coat
This quick-dry top coat is compatible with not only Kiara Sky but also other brands of nail lacquer. It quickly sets the polish and brings out the color with a high-gloss shine.
Out the Door Fast Drying Top Coat
This brand makes no secret of the active ingredient in its formula. It hardens nail polish with acrylates that create a glassy yet ultra-durable shine on the surface. Oh, and it helps polish dry in 45 seconds.
Use Quick-dry Drops
If you're looking for another speedy solution, give quick-dry drops a try. This innovative product is formulated to accelerate the drying process by evaporating the solvents faster.
Try Cooking Spray or Baby Oil
Did you know that common household items like cooking spray or baby oil can also help in drying your nails faster? Simply mist a light layer of the spray or let a drop of the oil fall on your freshly polished nails. Then watch to see when the oil beads up on the surface and carefully dab it off.
Frigid Temperatures
Lastly, dipping your nails in icy water is another effective method to quickly dry your nail lacquer. Fill a bowl with cold water and some ice cubes. After waiting a couple of minutes for your nails to air dry, submerge them in the icy water for a few minutes more. Check the dryness by seeing if the water beads up on the surface of the polish. This technique hardens the nail polish and significantly reduces the setting time. However, be careful not to smudge the nails by touching the bowl or the ice cubes. And be aware that it may shorten the lifetime of your manicure. The nails may soak up water and expand, making the polish more likely to chip.
Switch to Gel Polish
If you want to be absolutely sure that your nails are dry, gel polish is the answer. Gel polish takes anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds to dry under a standard LED nail lamp or up to three minutes with a UV nail lamp. When you cure the gels under a nail lamp, they instantly harden into a long-lasting manicure that can last two weeks or longer without chipping or peeling. Once the curing is done, you don’t have to worry about smudging!
Moreover, it’s fun to do nail art with gel polish because if you don’t like the way it looks, you can just wipe it off and try again. It won’t dry until it’s cured.
If you have a professional nail lamp like this one, it’s practically effortless to work with gels:
Lavis UV/LED Nail Lamp
Cure gel polish rapidly and completely with this salon-quality nail lamp. It’s super easy to use with four pre-programmed timer settings and a motion sensor to turn on the light when you need it. What's more, this lamp is rechargeable so you can use it anywhere. It's just too bad that it doesn't dry nail lacquer, too!
Conclusion
We hope these tips help you to quickly dry nail lacquer and enjoy a flawless finish. You no longer have to worry about waiting so long for your nails to dry! From applying thin coats to using quick-dry products and household hacks, you can now enjoy a perfect and smudge-free manicure in a matter of minutes.
While you’re here, check out our deals to stock up on all your nail care needs. Remember, we offer free shipping (and free gifts) on orders over $100!
