Q&A for How to Dry Nail Polish Quickly

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  • 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 based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    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 based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    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.
    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.
  • Question
    Will my nail polish wipe off if I put my hands right in the ice water?
    Community Answer
    No. If your nails are freshly painted, however, make sure that they don't touch an ice cube, because then they will smudge.
  • Question
    Can I run my hands under cold water in the sink?
    Community Answer
    Cold water can help, but be sure it isn't a powerful flow or it could mess up your nail polish/varnish.
  • Question
    Why do you use ice water and not regular water?
    Community Answer
    Cause the colder the water is, the faster it dries. I'm sure regular water would work, but it would take much longer.
  • Question
    How long do I have to keep my fingers in ice water?
    Community Answer
    As long as needed. It depends on how many coats of polish you applied to your nail and the temperature of the water. It would be best to keep your fingers in for at least 2 to 5 minutes. Before you dry your fingers, make sure the polish is dry, or else it will smudge.
  • Question
    How long do you wait before you put your fingers in ice water after you paint them?
    Community Answer
    Dip your fingers in the ice water immediately after you paint the top coat. The water won't smudge the polish.
  • Question
    Do I dry my nails before putting them in ice water?
    Community Answer
    No, the ice water is for drying your nails. They won't smudge in the water.
  • Question
    Does the ice water method work for nail art?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how much nail art there is. If there is only a little, then it will dry normally. If there is a lot, it will either not work or it will take a really long time. If you put top coat on that is fast-drying, however, that will help.
  • Question
    Can I dry my nails with olive oil?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can but make sure it is the spray and not the actual oil.
  • Question
    What if I cannot do these things -- are there any alternatives?
    Community Answer
    If it's cold outside before you paintsyour nails, then put on a coat and a hat (if you want) and paint them outside. This will help them to dry faster and the bad fumes won't be as harmful to you.
  • Question
    Should I dip my nails in cold water in between each thin layer of polish?
    Community Answer
    If you want thin layers, yes, do so. But, If you didn't apply the topcoat, you shouldn't.
  • Question
    How long do I put my hands in the freezer for?
    Community Answer
    You put them into the freezer for just a few minutes.
  • Question
    Dipping my wet nails in ice water did not work. What am I doing wrong?
    Community Answer
    Wait for your nails to dry a bit first. Then put them in the ice water. After they are hardened, use a hair dryer on the cold setting and blow them dry.
  • Question
    Can I use Sally Hansen's Dry Kwik between coats of polish?
    Karley Snyder
    Community Answer
    You sure can! This will help speed up the drying process in between coats. It also helps prevent chipping and smudging.
  • Question
    Why does the ice-water solution make my nail polish chip off quicker?
    Community Answer
    This might be because they haven't been drying for long enough and so will chip as they haven't set properly.
  • Question
    How long do I need to wave my hand back and forth for?
    Community Answer
    You should wave your hand back and forth for as long as you have to. But you should consider trying the freezer method or the water method -- they only take about 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Question
    Can you recommend a specific temperature for the ice water?
    Community Answer
    There is no specific temperature, just use room temperature water with a couple ice cubes and that should get it cool enough.
  • Question
    I move around a lot ,so I always mess up my nails. I can never do my right hand as nicely as my left. Any advice?
    Community Answer
    Try to tap you feet or something while they dry. See How to Become Ambidextrous for some more helpful ideas.
  • Question
    Can I submerge my nails in ice water in between each coat?
    Karley Snyder
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can if you'd like, though it is not required. This may save you 3-5 minutes of dry time.
  • Question
    I applied a thick coat of polish. Will it dry using the hair dryer?
    Community Answer
    Yes. It may take a bit of time though.
  • Question
    How do I dry toenails? Is it the same?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they dry the same way as fingernails.
  • Question
    I put my nails in ice water for like 20 minutes but they never dried. Why?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    That's because the ice water only hardens the surface of the polish, not the center.
  • Question
    I don't understand the fast-drying top coat. So when the top coat dries, all of the nail polish dries altogether?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    Nope! You wait for the polish to dry, then put the quick-dry top coat on. The top coat itself is quick-dry, but it won't dry all the other layers of polish faster.
  • Question
    How do I tell if nail polish is bad?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    It may have a change in color, smell or consistency (it'll get thicker or dry up). If a polish is getting thick, you can buy a nail polish thinner to help the consistency a bit.
  • Question
    Can I use hot air with my hair dryer?
    Community Answer
    No, because the heat will soften your nail polish. This is the opposite effect of what you want, so make sure to blow room temperature air.
  • Question
    Do I put my hands right in the ice water and then dry my nails?
    Community Answer
    Yes but make sure the nail polish has dried before you do so. Otherwise, you will wipe off your nail polish.
  • Question
    Can you eat a fake nail?
    Community Answer
    It's not a good idea. Fake nails are made of plastic and cannot be digested, so the nail will have to travel through your system whole and may be painful.
  • Question
    What if I don't have any of these items?
    Community Answer
    Then you should dry your hands by waving them back and forth.
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