Content

• Method 2 of 2: Use a quick-drying nail polish product
• Tips

1 Apply nail polish in light, thin layers to allow each to dry. Brush some polish off the brush and apply 2-3 thin, light coats to the nail. After each coat, pause for 1-3 minutes to allow the varnish to dry. The varnish will not dry completely if you apply several thick coats.

• The whole process may take longer, but the drying time will be significantly shorter.
• Paint each nail one by one, and then repeat the process in the same order. By the time you apply varnish to each nail and get to the last, the first will be ready for the second coat.

2 Follow the path of least resistance and hold your nails under cool air from a hair dryer for 2-3 minutes. The cold air will help dry the varnish quickly.

• Do this on both hands to completely dry each nail.
• First, make sure to turn on the lowest temperature setting. While drying, keep the hair dryer about 30 cm from your nails so as not to ruin your manicure.
• If you dry the varnish with warm air or bring the hair dryer too close, the varnish will begin to bubble or ripple.

3 Dip your fingers in a bowl of ice water for 1-2 minutes. Let the varnish dry for about a minute, then take a small bowl and fill it halfway with ice water. Then place 2 to 5 ice cubes in it. Soak your fingertips in ice water for 1-2 minutes and then remove. In general terms, the cold hardens the varnish, and therefore an ice bath is a great way to secure a manicure on your nails.

• Be careful with this method. If you dip your hands in the water too early, you ruin your manicure. The varnish should be almost dry.
• While this will help dry out the polish, your hands will get very cold!

4 Spray freshly painted nails with a jet from a pneumatic cleaner for 3-5 seconds. The pneumatic cleaner shoots cold, compressed air at high pressure. Keep the balloon about 30-60 cm away from your hands, otherwise they will freeze very much. A quick (3-5 seconds) spray over the nail tips will almost completely dry the nail polish. This trick works well for drying nails thanks to the cold air. Make sure the spray head is facing your nails.

• Wait until your nails are almost dry before spraying air on them, as a pneumatic cleaner can ruin your nails. You can accidentally deform the surface of the varnish.
• A pneumatic office cleaner can be purchased at most office supply stores and hardware stores.

5 For a very quick method, apply regular cooking spray to your fingertips. To do this, place the bottle at a distance of 15-30 cm from your fingertips and cover the surface of each nail with a thin, even layer. This may sound a little odd, but the oils in your cooking spray will help dry your nail polish quickly. Just don't use a butter-scented spray.

• Wait 1-2 minutes after applying the polish to the last nail, and only then cover the manicure with oil. Otherwise, you can ruin the coating.
• The oil from the spray will also help moisturize the cuticles.

Method 2 of 2: Use a quick-drying nail polish product

1. 1 Use a quick dry varnish. There are many companies that advertise their quick dry varnishes. If you use this varnish when painting your nails, it will dry much faster.
   • For example, look for products labeled “60 seconds,” “1 seconde,” or “fast dry.”
2. 2 To dry your manicure, apply a glossy, quick-drying top coat (nail dryer) to your nails. After the last coat of nail polish has dried, apply a thin, even coat of fixative from cuticle to nail tip. Use a retainer that says it is quick dry.
   • This will also protect the varnish from cracking.
3. 3 Try nail polish drying drops or fixing spray to shorten the waiting time. Wait 1-3 minutes after topcoating and either drip 1 drying drop onto each nail or spray fixing spray over your fingertips. Wait another 1-3 minutes, then suck your hands off with cold water. This should shorten the drying time.
   • Many cosmetic stores and drugstores have nail drying products, including sprays and drops.

Tips

• Consider in advance how long your nails will take and which drying method you will use. If you start thinking about it after painting your nails, you can smudge the nail polish.
• For best results, let your nails dry naturally before using the complementary method. This will allow the varnish to stick to your nails.
• New, fresh nail polishes dry faster than old ones.
• To check how dry your nails are, gently touch the outer corner of the nail with the pad of your finger. If there are traces on the varnish, it means that it is not dry yet.