How to Dry Nail Polish Quickly

Last Updated: September 7, 2021 References Approved

It can take 20-60 minutes for nail polish to dry completely. If you want to speed up the process, you can paint quick-drying polish in thin layers and try using drying spray. In addition, you can try using a blowdryer, cooking spray, or ice water. With one of these options, you can easily go about your day without smudging your perfect paint job!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Quick-Drying Techniques

1
Paint your nail polish in light, thin layers so each layer can dry. Wipe off a bit of polish from your applicator brush, and apply 2-3 thin, light layers. Let your polish dry for about 1-3 minutes in between each coat. Nail polish will not dry completely if applied in multiple heavy layers.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Kristin Pulaski
Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
- This may take longer to apply the polish overall, but the drying time will be significantly less.
- Paint each nail 1 by 1, then repeat them in the same order. If you take your time to paint each nail, the first nail will be ready for its second coat at the same time you finish painting the last nail.
2
Blow cool air from a blow dryer for 2-3 minutes for an easy option. Plug in your hairdryer and select the cold air setting. Then, run the cool air across your fingertips for 2-3 minutes. The cold air may quickly dry your nails.^{[2]
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- Do this for both hands to dry each nail completely.
- Check that the dryer is set on the low setting before you start. As you dry your nails, hold the hairdryer 12 inches (30 cm) above your nails to avoid damaging the polish.
- If you use a warm heat setting or hold the dryer too close, your nail polish may start to bubble or ripple.
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3
Dip your fingers in a bowl of cold ice water for 1-2 minutes. Let your nails air dry for 60 seconds, then grab a small bowl and fill it half-way full with very cold water. Then, place in 2-5 ice cubes. Hold your fingertips in the ice water for 1-2 minutes, then take them out of the bowl. In general, the cold hardens nail polish, so an ice bath is a great way to get your nail polish to stick.^{[3]
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- Be careful when using this technique, as it can ruin your nail polish if you put your hands in the water too soon. The polish should be nearly dry.
- While this helps your nail polish dry, it will make your hands very cold!
4
Spray your wet nails with air duster for 3-5 seconds. Air duster is cold, compressed air that shoots out very quickly. Hold the can about 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) away from your hands so they don’t get extremely cold. With a quick 3-5 second spray over your fingertips, your nails should be mostly dry. This works well when drying nail polish since the air is cold. Be sure to point the sprayer towards your nails.^{[4]
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- Make sure that your nails are mostly dry before you spray them, as air duster can ruin your nail polish. You could accidentally damage the surface of the polish.
- You can purchase air duster at most office supply stores.
5
Apply regular cooking spray to your fingertips for a very quick option. To use, hold the bottle about ¹⁄₂–1 ft (0.15–0.30 m) away from your fingertips, and spray a light, even layer over top each nail. This may seem a little odd, but the oils in cooking spray help your nails dry quickly. However, avoid using the butter-flavored spray.^{[5]
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- Wait 1-2 minutes after you apply nail polish to the last nail before you spray them with oil. Otherwise, you might ruin your nail polish.
- The oil in the spray helps moisturize your cuticles as well.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Applying Quick-Drying Nail Products

1
Use quick-drying nail polish products. There are many brands that make nail polish advertised as fast drying. If you use these to paint your nails, it may speed up the drying process.^{[6]
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- Look for products advertised as “rapid speed,” “express dry,” or “quick dry,” for example.
2
Apply a glossy, fast-drying top coat to help your nails dry. After your last layer is dry, paint on a solid, light layer of top coat from your cuticle to the tip of your nail. Use a top coat advertised as quick-drying.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Kristin Pulaski
Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
- This also prevents your nail polish color from chipping.
3
Try using drying drops or setting spray to cut down on time. After you apply your top coat, wait about 1-3 minutes and then either drip 1 drying drop onto each nail or spray the setting product over your fingertips. Wait another 1-3 minutes, then rinse your hands in cool water. You can use these to reduce your drying time.^{[8]
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- Many beauty supply stores and drug stores sell nail drying products including sprays and drops.

Community Q&A

Question

My nail polish never seems to dry, no matter how long I wait. It can be 2 hours, and it's still tacky and can easily be scraped off, no polish remover needed. What do I do?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

There are 2 reasons this could be happening. It's possible that you're using old nail polish. If so, then you should switch to a new bottle. Throw away polish that seems too thick or streaky or that is hard to open. If your polish isn't old, then you're likely applying coats that are too heavy or not waiting for each coat to dry before applying more polish. Apply thinner layers of polish and give each layer more time to dry.
Question

Can you put your nails in front of an air condition, instead of a freezer?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, this will help dry your nails. Anything that cools them faster will help your nails harden more quickly.
Question

Why is my nail polish not drying?

Kristin Pulaski
Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
Kristin Pulaski is a Professional Nail Artist and the Founder of Paintbucket, a self-owned and operated nail salon based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has over five years of experience running Paintbucket and is licensed as a nail technician. Paintbucket offers nail art manicures, pedicures, and soft gel extensions along with customized packages for wedding and bridal parties. She holds a BA in Managerial Science from Manhattan College.

Kristin Pulaski

Salon Owner & Nail Specialist

Expert Answer

If your nail polish is not drying quickly, you've likely just painted on too thick of a layer. You should only be applying thin layers at a time and let each one dry before applying another.