To dry nail polish fast, here are the most effective expert-recommended methods:
- Apply thin coats of nail polish rather than thick layers, as thin coats dry much faster and more evenly
- Use quick-dry nail polish or drying drops , such as OPI Drip Dry Nail Lacquer Drying Drops or Zoya dry drops, which can significantly speed up drying time and add shine
- Submerge your nails in ice-cold water or run them under cold water for a few minutes after painting. The cold temperature hardens the polish quickly
- Blow dry your nails on a cool setting using a hairdryer held a few inches away. Avoid warm air to prevent bubbles or melting polish
- Avoid older, thickened polish and wash your hands before application to ensure better adhesion and faster drying
- Optionally, a light spray of hairspray can help set the polish faster, but this is mainly for lacquer and may affect finish
Following these tips, you can reduce drying time to just a few minutes, especially if you combine thin layers, cold water dips, and cool air drying
