Taking care of your nails with clear or colored nail polish can feel wonderful. However, for some, the time required for the polish to dry outweighs the advantages of a DIY manicure.
While it can take 10 to 12 minutes for the polish to properly set on the nail, there are several tricks you can use to speed up the process.
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Drops of water drying
Nail drying drops are available at any beauty supply store or online. Unlike quick-drying topcoats, drying drops do not add another layer to your manicure. These oil-based drops condition your cuticles while also drying your nails.
This method appears to dry only the top coat of nail polish. Allow your manicure or pedicure to set for a few minutes more if your nails appear dry after using drying drops.
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Quick-drying in cold water
This trick necessitates some planning. Before painting your nails, fill a small dish with cold tap water. Place an ice cube or two in the basin near where you’ll be painting your nails. Allow two minutes after painting your nails for the polish to “set,” ensuring that it completely adheres to your nails.
After that, soak your nails in cold water for about five minutes. When you remove your hands or feet from the water, you’ll notice water beading on the surface of your nails, indicating that your polish has completely dried.
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Baby oil
Baby oil, olive oil, and even cooking spray can help your nails dry faster. Put the oil in a decanter or medicine dropper to make it easier to apply the oil to each nail. You don’t need much! When you’re ready, apply a drop or two to each nail and wait a minute or two.
The oil should help the nail polish dry faster because it sits on top of your nail bed and soaks into the paint. Thinner paint dries faster, so this method essentially thins the paint on your nail. When you notice the oil beading at the top of your nail, wipe it away with a dry paper towel.
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Hairdryer
Turn on a hairdryer with a “cold air” setting before you begin painting your nails. Spray your nails with a steady stream of cool air after you’ve finished polishing them.
This works best if you paint one hand’s nails, use the hairdryer, and then paint the other hand’s nails. It is critical that you use your hairdryer’s cool setting for this drying solution, as some users have reported burning their skin when using a hot hairdryer.
