12 Best Ways To Dry Your Nail Polish Faster

Moreover, you’ll find most of the stuff needed for it right at home!

12 Foolproof Ways To Speed Up Your Nail Polish Drying Time

Here are some handy tips and tricks that can help dry your nail polish faster without compromising the manicure finish.

1. Dip Your Nails In Ice Water

Dipping your fingernails in ice-cold water is perhaps the most efficient technique to dry your polish faster. It’s also insanely simple!

A bowl of cold water Ice cubes

2. Run Your Nails Under Cold Water

If you do not have ice cubes ready, you can simply run your manicured nails under a gentle stream of cold tap water. Alexandra, a YouTuber, dipped her nails in a bowl of ice water to see if the process worked to hasten the drying to within a minute. She demonstrated the results, saying, “I like to show you guys how dry they are, nothing is coming off, they are not smudging, they are not smearing, nothing like that (i)!”

Tap with running water

3. Try The Cold Air Setting On A Blow Dryer

This is a quicker and mess-free alternative to an ice-bowl or running water. Remember, the cool setting is what we are looking for.

A hairdryer with a cold blast setting.

4. Apply A Coat Of Oil

A drop of non-stick cooking oil is a great way to cut down on nail polish drying time. You may also use baby oil, olive oil, or any carrier or essential oil.

Carrier oil, essential oil, baby oil, or cooking oil Dropper Paper towels

5. Apply Nail Drying Drops

Using commercial nail polish drying drops will cut your wait time in half. These products not only help dry the paint faster but also make your nails look super shiny. They also nourish and condition the skin around your cuticles.

6. Thin It Out

As opposed to thick coats, applying several thin coats of nail polish gives your nails time to dry quickly in between applications. It also leaves you with a more even finish. Although it might seem like your manicure is taking forever, it really isn’t. You’re actually cutting the overall drying time way shorter.

7. Wait Between Coats

Instead of rushing into the next coat right after the first, increase the wait time between coats. It will hardly take more time than a thick layer of nail paint to dry. Thin layers dry quicker. So, go for 2-3 thin layers until you get the color intensity you desire but wait until the previous layer is completely dry. This will also ensure your final finish is smooth and flawless.

8. Switch To Quick-Dry Formulas

Investing in a nail polish that is specially formulated to speed up your nail polish drying time is perhaps the easiest way to dry nails faster. Some of the quick-dry formulas also claim to add a glossy sheen to your nails, thus prevent chipping, and make your manicure look fresh for longer. Here’s the best part – you can find some insanely great drugstore formulas for topcoats at very low prices.

9. Go For Nail-Drying Spray

Commercially available nail-drying sprays are specially formulated for this purpose and are gentle on your nails. You can ask your local beauticians for product recommendations. Alternatively, you can use hairspray if you would rather not invest in a special drying spray.

10. Invest In An LED Lamp

If you have a busy lifestyle but like to keep your nails in top shape, an LED nail lamp is a worthwhile investment. Compared to UV lamps that can harm your skin in the long run through their radiation, LED lamps are safer and can dry your fresh nail paint in a jiffy.

11. Use An Air Duster

This method is not safe in the long run, hence we recommend you to go for it sparingly. Many people swear by using an air duster spray for instantly drying manicures and pedicures. Hold the can 20-30 cm away from your nails while spraying so that your manicure does not get ruined. Also, make sure you wear a mask to avoid inhaling too much of the spray as it can be harmful to your health.

12. Air Purifier For Nails

Enhance your nail polish drying time with a simple solution – an air purifier. Here is how to follow this efficient technique. What You Need

Air purifier

Step By Step Guide Using an air purifier is a hassle-free way to achieve impeccable results in your nail polish application. Now that you know how to dry your manicure quickly, let’s talk about taking care of it properly so that it lasts you a long time

How To Take Care Of Your Manicure

Many nail professionals claim that your manicure is not completely set for up to twelve hours after the process, even after the polish dries. You need to take extra care of your manicure around this time to ensure it sets properly and lasts long. Here are a few tips to make the best of your manicured nails:

Take time out during the weekend to paint your nails or do it after your night routine, just before going to bed. This will ensure your hands are less busy and your manicure gets time to dry properly. Use tested and well-endorsed methods of drying your nails instead of vigorously waving your hands around in the air and accidentally ruining your nails. Refresh your manicure with a quick-dry top coat every two to three days to keep it chip-free.

How do I dry acrylic nails faster? Acrylics are a combination of a liquid monomer and a powder polymer that creates a hard, protective shell over your natural nail. It’s always a good idea to get acrylics done by a professional at your local nail salon. Ideally, you need to cure (dry) the nails for two minutes under a UV lamp or for a minute under an LED lamp. Can I use olive oil to dry my nail polish faster? Yes! Soaking your freshly coated nails for about two minutes in extra virgin olive oil can actually help dry the polish faster. You can also use sunflower oil, extra virgin coconut oil, or baby oil as alternatives. Does an LED or UV lamp dry regular nail polish? No, your regular nail polish requires air drying while gel nail polish must be cured by an LED or UV lamp. Does hand sanitizer dry nail polish? No, hand sanitizer cannot dry nail polish. The rich alcohol content removes or breaks down the nail polish by dissolving the pigment. Does rubbing alcohol dry nail polish? No, rubbing alcohol does not dry nail polish. Like an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, it softens and removes the polish. Does showering ruin nail polish? Avoid showering if your nails are wet as the water will wash off unset nail polish.