Q&A for How to Dry Nail Polish Quickly

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.

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

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.

No. If your nails are freshly painted, however, make sure that they don't touch an ice cube, because then they will smudge.

Cold water can help, but be sure it isn't a powerful flow or it could mess up your nail polish/varnish.

Cause the colder the water is, the faster it dries. I'm sure regular water would work, but it would take much longer.

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.

Dip your fingers in the ice water immediately after you paint the top coat. The water won't smudge the polish.

No, the ice water is for drying your nails. They won't smudge in the water.

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.

Yes, you can but make sure it is the spray and not the actual oil.

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.

If you want thin layers, yes, do so. But, If you didn't apply the topcoat, you shouldn't.

You put them into the freezer for just a few minutes.

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.

You sure can! This will help speed up the drying process in between coats. It also helps prevent chipping and smudging.

This might be because they haven't been drying for long enough and so will chip as they haven't set properly.

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.

There is no specific temperature, just use room temperature water with a couple ice cubes and that should get it cool enough.

Try to tap you feet or something while they dry. See How to Become Ambidextrous for some more helpful ideas.

Yes, you can if you'd like, though it is not required. This may save you 3-5 minutes of dry time.

Yes. It may take a bit of time though.

Yes, they dry the same way as fingernails.

That's because the ice water only hardens the surface of the polish, not the center.

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.

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.

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.

Yes but make sure the nail polish has dried before you do so. Otherwise, you will wipe off your nail polish.

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.

Then you should dry your hands by waving them back and forth.