Nail Pros Share 14 Ways to Help Dry Nails Quickly After a Manicure (2024)

Submerge in an Ice Bath

You can help speed up your nail polish drying process by submerging your nails in an ice bath. The ice-cold water sets the stage to harden polish quickly and dry faster. Here’s how to do it:

• Fill a bowl with cold water and add a handful of ice cubes.
• Submerge your nails in the water for a few minutes.
• Remove your hands and air-dry for 2 minutes. Your nail polish should be dry to the touch in minutes.

Apply Thin, Even Layers of Polish

Applying thin, even layers is the best way to ensure your nails dry faster when doing a DIY manicure, according to Brittney Boyce, celebrity nail artist and founder of NAILS OF LA.

"Thick layers will always take longer to dry, plus the finish can look uneven and goopy," she says. Regardless of whether you're using traditional or breathable nail polish, she recommends applying polish in three strokes: one down the center and then one on each side.

Dry Each Layer of Nail Polish

Dry your nails after each layer of polish, recommends Syreeta Aaron, professional nail artist and LeChat Nails educator. This step is especially important when you're going after a more in-depth nail look, like velvet nails. Here's how:

• After applying your first layer of polish (your base coat), fan-dry your nails for 30 to 60 seconds.
• "Then, add your color of choice with one layer and repeat the process of fan-drying 30 seconds to a minute," Aaron says.
• Repeat this process after the second coat and the topcoat until your nails are fully dry.

Get a Fan

Many nail experts say blasting your nails with a blow-dryer on the cool setting can dry your manicure faster, but Boyce says this can reduce shine and even move the polish, leaving it uneven. Instead, she recommends using a fan on a low setting to help polish firm up and dry faster.

"A gentle fan can help the solvents in nail polish evaporate faster without moving the polish," she says. Just be sure not to position the fan too close because that can lead to bubbles.

Use a Fast-drying Topcoat

A fast-drying topcoat is a game changer for any manicure, says Boyce. Try Orly Sec N' Dry for its formula made with a special resin that seals the top and helps dry nails faster.

Apply Drying Drops

One type of drying drops to try is OPI Drip Dry Lacquer Drying Drops. "These are typically formulated with some sort of oil and silicone blend that absorb the solvents in nail polish to speed up the drying process," says Boyce. "Some do have added conditioning benefits as well."

Apply Cooking Spray

Can't get your hands on drying drops? Boyce recommends applying a cooking spray, which helps absorb the solvent faster, leading to a dry manicure more quickly. Other oils (coconut, olive, or even baby oil) work the same way.

Try an Enamel Spray

Enamel or nail-drying sprays are options for drying nails quickly, says Aaron. She recommends Demert's Nail Enamel Dryer because it helps dry nails faster while also hydrating cuticles.

Run Your Nails Under Cold Water

Similar to an ice bath, running your nails under cold water helps thickeners in polish settle faster, says Boyce. Use caution if you're choosing this method because it may not be the best solution for drying the bottom layers of polish.

Also, this method may cause your manicure to look uneven or chip faster later on. Nevertheless, if you're in a pinch, this hack may serve as a quick-and-easy solution.

Skip Top and Base Coats

"Base coats and top coats are extra layers, meaning extra dry time," says Boyce. "If you're short on time, a one-step polish, like Orly Breathable Treatment + Color can help as you don't need a base or top coat for those."

Choose a Fast-drying Shade

Fact: Some nail polish colors dry faster than others. If you're in a rush, reach for a sheer or metallic shade, which generally contains more solvents. It's the evaporation of those solvents that causes nail polish to dry, so the more a particular shade has, the quicker it sets.

Spritz Nails With Hairspray

Hairsprayis not just for hair: It can also help dry polished nails faster.The caveat is that it only works on the top layer of polish, not the base layers. Hairspray may help, but don't get too aggressive with your nails for at least 30 minutes after spraying.

Use a Can of Compressed Air

Yes, we're talking about that can next to your computer that blows crumbs off your keyboard. You can also point it at your partially dried nails to help them finish drying more quickly.

For this trick, let your nails air-dry for at least 10 minutes. (Spraying compressed air at just-polished nails may put dents or smudges in your manicure.) Next, holding the can about 1 to 2feet away from your hand, spray each nail for about 3 seconds.

Watch TV

You're right, watching TV doesn't really make your nail polish dry faster, but it makes it seem like it. Settling in with a mood-boosting TV show or movie helps keep you from participating in other hand-focused, manicure-busting activities. It also serves as a timer: After one movie or two or three TV shows, you're nails are completely dry and normal life can resume!

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use an air conditioner or freezer to dry my nails?

  Yes, practically anything cold can help your nails solidify and dry faster, including air conditioners and freezers. Hold your hands in front of the air conditioner or stick them in the freezer for about 2 minutes. Yes, it's cold; take a break if you have to. Who says beauty doesn't require a little hardship?
  

• How long does it takes for nail polish to dry completely?

  Drying time depends on a lot of factors, such as the formula and shade of the polish, the number and thickness of layers, and how old your polish is. (Older polish goes on thicker and takes longer to dry.) In general, it takes nail polish up to 2 hours to fully cure, but you can usually resume using your hands—cautiously—as soon as 15 minutes after the last application.

• How can I tell if my nail polish is dry?

  Here's a quick way to tell if your polish is dry, without ruining your whole manicure. Wait for at least 15 minutes, and then try one of these tests:

  • Lightly touch the outer corner of one nail with the top of your finger. If you see an impression in the polish, it’s still wet.
  • Gently tap the backs of both pinky nails together. If they come apart easily with no tackiness, your nails are dry.

  If your polish passes either of these tests, your topcoat is dry and you can start using your hands, keeping in mind that your nails aren't quite fully set yet.