Gone are the days where we have to wait for…. well, anything? So for a lot of us, the concept of having to sit perfectly still while your nail polish dries painfully slow can be just about impossible. After all, we’ve got next day delivery, so how do we not have instant-dry polish yet?
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If you’re a repeat offender of making it through your first two coats smudge-free, only to have it all unravel as you impatiently reach for your phone, a snack, or to pet the dog, then we are relieved to tell you that you are in luck.
Below are eight excellent tips for achieving a smudge-free mani, minus the wait time.
1. Freeze those fingers
Doubling as an opportunity to cool down as the weather heats up, placing your hands into the freezer for a couple of minutes will help to solidify your nail polish and lower your smudge-risk. Just watch out for the ice cube trays.
2. Use quick-dry drops
OPI Drip Dry Drops is a game-changer when it comes to at-home manis. This magical product is designed to dry your polish in 60 seconds, all you need to do is drip the clear liquid on top of your wet polish and voila!
3. Or….. try olive oil
Known as a natural alternative to the quick-dry drops, olive oil is known to speed up the drying process of polish, while nourishing your cuticles at the same time.
4. Soak in a bowl of iced water
Similar to the mattifying makeup method ‘jamsu’, soaking your freshly painted nails in ice water ‘shocks’ the police into place due to the drastic temperature change.
However, to avoid smudging, be careful not to knock your nails into ice cubes or on the side of the bowl. Running your hands under a gentle tap of cold water will have a similar effect.
5. Less is more…
Instead of thicker but fewer layers, painting your polish on in thinner layers may result in fasting drying time – even if this means you might require extra coats. The easiest way to manage this is by not picking up too much polish on the brush. quick wipe off after every dip will help remove any excess.
6. Opt for a metallic shade
Did you know metallic shades try faster? The finish typically requires fewer coats and is a fun, fast option if you’re in a rush.
bh recommends: Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Nail Color, Natio Nail Colour
7. Blow (them) dry..
Using your hairdryer on the cold setting, give your nails a quick blast of air. Don’t forget the cold button or otherwise you may find your nail polish begins to melt away….
8. Quick-dry polishes
This product does exactly as it reads; simply paint on your nail polish and watch them instantly dry before your eyes. But be quick with your coats as there’s no time for leniency.
bh recommends: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish Collection
Main image credit: @betina_goldstein
Have you tried any of these techniques? Do you have any tips of your own?
I run mine under cold water. Olive oil? hmmm…
I do ice water or blowing on them or hair dryer. Usually just wait as it is relaxing.
I use OPI Rapid Dry spray. It works really well. I’ve used the OPI drops and they are really good too.
Good tips
I don’t do my nails and the olive oil suggestion doesn’t make sense to me.
I do ice water & thinner layers & it works! I’ve tried a different brand of quick-dry drops, but it didn’t work very well. Olive oil? I’m dubious.
My tip: EMPTY YOUR BLADDER BEFORE DOING YOUR NAILS! This should have been #1!
Olive Oil sounds interesting. Im not sure why this would work but Id love to try it.
The olive oil one sounds interesting!
Some great tips. this reminds me I haven’t worn nail polish in ages , maybe in a year.
I don’t wear nailpolish much, mainly on my toenails because I type all day at work and it chips too easily on my fingernails. Have recently bought a couple of quick dry nail polishes.
I wanna put some polish on! I haven’t put any on for a while now. Yes I’ve done a few of those like blowing them dry and putting them in cold water. Great to have a few extra tips there too!
Won’t the olive oil ruin the nail polish?
I use quick dry polish and the freezer trick.
Some great tips here!
i always do it when i have to actually sit and do nothing
I am a girl always on the rush, these tips are great for me
Interesting ideas… Not sure about a few of them though…
Sometimes I just do one coat too
I’d be afraid of smudges when using drops or olive oil
Ah, I’ve given up on the home manicures, just hanging until I can get a professional to do my nails again.
Good tips for………good tips haha
Great tips
I think this is the most important tip! And it relates to so many other things in life too.
Great tips.. my patience level for nail drying is minimal! Which means I ALWAYS smudge my nails.
I hardly ever do my nails, but on occasions when I have, I have used the hairdryer to speed up drying time.
I didn’t know that metallic shades dry faster. I like metallic so that is good.
I used to spray my nails with cooking oil spray and that works very well, but can be messy
What’s the reason for this tip? I’ve never heard of it before. Only recently took up DIY nail polish, so this is probably something I should know.
Good ideas and article. Will have to try olive oil
Oh I need the OPI drops.
You think you don’t need to go – then you do your nails. It doesn’t matter what quick-dry method you use, they’ll get ruined & you’ll have to start again if you pop to the loo!
Great suggestions here.I always let them air dry.
I’m a little impatient when it comes to letting my nails air dry so these tips will come in very handy.
Thanx BH for those great tips. I am always mucking up at least 2 nails every time I do them, but hopefully now that will no longer happen.
These are some really great tips specially when I am on the rush.
Thank you for these great
tips hope to use them soon.
Less is more always helps me avoid a fail !
I always add so much nail polish I just can’t help it and always find a spot that’s bad and keep adding more so thank you!
I’m going to try putting my nails in the freezer next time I coat my nails. I really hope it works.
I had no idea that metallic shades dry faster. I also had not heard about the trick with using olive oil.
Interesting never heard the olive oil tip before