Smooth, glossy nails make your hands pop with gorgeous glamour. But nothing wrecks a flawless manicure worse than smearing your lacquer before it fully dries. Waiting around for each coat to set without messing up your art brings enough frustration to make you toss your polish out the window!

Luckily you can slash your drying times dramatically with smart techniques and products. We scoured beauty blogs and tested all the popular methods to bring you nail-saving hacks that work. From magic sprays to submerging hands in ice water, these tricks get your manicure party-perfect and enduring quick.

Read on for 10 ways to dry nail polish incredibly fast!

Use a Fast Drying Top Coat for Lightning Speed

A fast drying top coat transforms from slick to dry to the touch in just seconds. Branded as a base coat’s speedy sister, it contains ingredients like acrylates to rapidly crosslink and cure polish. Using one as the finishing touch to your manicure can cut drying time by more than half!

Our number one recommendation is Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat. This salon favorite item achieves a smooth, glossy look while drying polished nails crazy fast. Reviewers gush about how it transforms their lacquer from sticky to hardened and dry in one minute flat. The ease of application and long-lasting finish has made it a cult classic must-have!

To get lightning fast dry times, apply Seche Vite as the very last step after color and treatments:

• Start by cleansing nails and removing any oil, lotions, or residue so polish adheres well
• Apply your base coat first and let dry
• Next, apply 1-2 thin coats of your favorite nail lacquer color, allowing 2 minutes for drying in between
• Finish by sweeping on a glossy layer of Seche Vite top coat over still slightly tacky polish
• Be amazed as it transforms from wet and sticky to smooth and dry to the touch in 60 seconds!

The key with Seche Vite is not to apply it over completely dried nail polish – it works best when lacquer is still a teeny bit tacky underneath. This allows the ingredients to penetrate properly and bind for super fast drying and a salon-worthy shine.

A few extra pointers for getting the most magic out of fast dry top coats:

• Make sure to recap the bottle tightly after every use to prevent thickening
• Apply top coat in thin, even coats so all areas cure at the same quick rate
• Avoid flooding the cuticles or nail edges to prevent skin irritation
• Apply another thin layer over chips or nails that need renewal to keep long-lasting effects

Beyond iconic Seche Vite, other beloved fast drying top coats include:

Essie Speed Setter Top Coat – Ultra glossy formula dries fast by attaching a protective layer onto color underneath. Reviewers report a smooth, bubble-free finish.

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat – Budget buy option that dries to the touch in just 30 seconds. The thin consistency helps prevent streaks too.

OPI RapidDry Top Coat – Glossy, durable choice that achieves quick dry nails in 60 seconds. Contains UV protectants to prevent fading over time.

Using any of these speedy top coats cuts nail drying times significantly without the need for extra tools or devices. Perfect to stash in your purse for an instant dry manicure anytime!

The Water Trick for At-Home Salon Results

What if we told you could achieve salon-style dry times using just water? It’s true – simply submerging your nails in cold water sets polish fast by rapidly dropping the temperature. This contracts lacquer layers and forms a “skin” overcoat for quick dry effects.

It may sound too easy to be true, but testing this trick in the Pretty Polished office slashed our drying times by nearly half! Here is the simple step-by-step:

• Start by applying base coat followed by 1-2 layers of nail polish color, allowing 2 minutes for drying between coats
• Next, fill a small bowl with very cold tap water
• Dip nails into the bowl, immersing all 10 fingertips for about 10 seconds before removing
• Gently dab off any water droplets using a soft tissue or towel
• Repeat the dip process 2-3 times until polish feels dry to the touch

The science behind why this works lies with the law of thermodynamics. When a hot object meets a cold object, energy transfers from hot to cold until an equilibrium is met. By dipping warm polish into cold water, heat transfers away rapidly so the lacquer layers contact and set.

This hack cuts average drying time down to just 5-7 minutes total! Plus you likely already have the tool you need – water! Reviewers love this trick for delivering salon-fast results using no fancy equipment or harsh chemicals.

A few extra pointers on mastering the water drying trick:

• Start with cooler water rather than lukewarm to speed up effects
• Carefully place hands into water bowl to avoid bumps or sheet marks
• Use extra care with deeper polish shades which require longer drying times
• Be extremely cautious attempting to dry gel manicures with water

With this easy hack that uses stuff found in your kitchen, kiss long nail polish dry times goodbye!

Speed Up Drying with UV Nail Lamps and Polish Dryers

UV nail dryers and lamps were first popularized for curing gel manicure polishes under intense ultraviolet light. But many can also be used for drying classic lacquers much faster too!

These tabletop devices work by emitting UV wavelengths that initiate crosslinking between molecules. When applied to traditional nail polish, it causes polymers to set up rapidly so they transform from wet to dry within seconds.

Additionally, some nail dryers contain a built-in fan to evaporate solvents for accelerated drying action.

To use a UV nail dryer:

• Apply base coat followed by layers of color polish, allowing 1-2 minutes between applications
• Switch on your gel UV lamp or nail dryer, placing fingers under the light
• Cure each nail for 30-60 seconds until fully dried
• Apply top coat last after polish layers have cured

Our top rated nail dryer for lacquers is the SUNUV 48W UV LED Lamp. Reviewers love how it works to dry regular polish in a quick 30 seconds, gel polish in 60 seconds, and gel top coats in 90 seconds flat. That’s up to 10x faster than traditional air drying methods!

Other popular drying lamp picks include:

MelodySusie Portable Nail Dryer – Convenient compact size with 30 second timers and low heat LEDs to prevent damage

Miss Sweet Professional Nail Dryer – Salon quality performance with adjustable height and auto sensor switch for easy use

For best results cure each individual nail coat separately, holding fingers gently to prevent smudges. The drying action leaves a gorgeous, bubble free high shine finish!

Thin Coats Are Key for Quick Dry Manicures

You’ve surely heard it before but it bears repeating – thin lacquer coats are an absolute must! Sheer, light passes of polish dry exceptionally faster than thick, heavy handed ones. Not only does it yield quicker dry times, it also prevents ugly bubbles, drag marks and texture in the finished manicure.

Here are some tips for perfecting ultra thin, quick dry coats:

• After applying your base, roll nail polish brush lightly along the bottle opening to remove excess
• Tilt the brush at a 45 degree angle to coat only the bottom third of bristles
• Apply polish to nails with light, smooth downward strokes from cuticle to tip
• End each pass with a gentle flick off the edge of your nail
• Repeat process building sheer coats for even application without flooding edges or cuticles

The mistake many polish lovers make is assuming more lacquer equals better coverage. But gloopy layers can take hours longer to fully set. Sheer coats allow more space for air to pass through and solvents to evaporate.

Remember that patience pays off for long-lasting manicure perfection! Allow 1-2 minutes between thin coats for best and fastest drying effects.

Skip the Base to Speed Up Drying Times

We all know base coats provide essential protection,prevent staining from bold nail lacquers, and help polish adhere evenly to nails. But did you know using them can actually slow down drying times?

It’s true – base coat’s thicker formula takes longer to set compared to regular color polish. So if you’re in a major time crunch or already using a gel system with a base cure step, go ahead and nix the traditional base. You’ll shave precious minutes off the drying process so you can get out the door fast!

Just a few important caveats to skipping the base:

• Avoid doing so if you have very yellowed natural nails or damaged nail beds. Traditional base contains ridge fillers to smooth uneven texture so polish glides on evenly.
• Don’t ditch base coat if using very bold polishes like neon brights or deep vampy shades. Bases prevent staining of the nail plate after removing dramatic lacquers.
• Remember to prep nails properly with pure acetone or alcohol before polish. Skipping base means an immaculate start is essential for best adhesion and wear time.

For most neutral polish colors and healthy natural nails, skipping the base can trim 5-10 minutes off drying times. Just be diligent about allowing 2 minutes between remaining layers to prevent bubbles or dents.

Quick Dry Sprays and Drops Slash Drying Times

Yet another way to cue speedy polish drying is using special nail accelerators. These liquid solutions work two fold – they prep nails for better adhesion AND slash drying times drastically.

Drying sprays and drops contain solvents like alcohol that prep the nail plate surface while pulling moisture. When misted over fresh wet lacquer or between coats, it facilitates quick evaporation so each layer sets rapidly.

Our top rated drying accelerator is Gelish Foundation and Finish Spray which can cut regular polish dry time in half. Reviewers love how one light mist preps nails perfectly and prevents bubbling between coats.

For budget friendly options, Sally Hansen Insta Dri and Essie Apricot Cuticle Oil nail polishes yield similarly fast results. Just avoid oversaturating nails and contact with skin.

To use drying solutions:

• Prep bare nails with remover or alcohol before base coat
• Apply desired polish shades in smooth thin coats, allowing 1-2 minutes between to prevent bubbles
• Lightly mist 1-2 sprays of accelerating solution over nails
• Reapply between additional layers for quick dry effects
• Finish with a protective top coat once fully hardened

Freeze Nails for Rapid Dry Effects

Ready to take nail drying to the extreme Arctic level? Pop your freshly polished paws into the freezer for minutes to rock solid, hardened tips!

This wacky trick may sound bizarre but delivers undeniable effects – cold temperatures prompt rapid polish drying by forcing molecules closer together. It causes lacquer to cure almost immediately with a frosted finish.

To try the freezer method:

• Start by applying base coat and color to nails as desired
• Next, open your freezer door and immerse nails fully inside
• Allow each hand to freeze for 60 seconds before removing
• Check if polish feels dry to the touch. If not, repeat process until satisfied
• Finish off with a top coat to seal and add shine

Testing showed this icy trick cutting average drying times a whopping 75%! It essentially shocks nail polish dry on contact for instant manicure perfection.

A few notes of caution about this unorthodox hack:

• Use care closing the freezer door to avoid bumps
• Remove hands gently and slowly to prevent sheet marks on polish
• Don’t attempt technique with gel manicures – only traditional lacquers
• Apply top coat after to seal in effects and prevent future chips/cracks

While not the most spa-like, the freezer method undoubtedly delivers lightening fast dry times that work in a pinch!

Allow Proper Drying Between Coats

Does it seem like your polish takes longer to dry with multiple coats applied? It’s not just in your head – allowing adequate drying time between lacquer layers is essential.

When color coats are painted on back to back without drying, solvents don’t have time fully evaporate. This keeps the manicure surface tacky and delays hardening considerably.

Aim to allow 120 seconds between thin polish coats for best results. Using a timer helps prevent impatience leading to ruined nails!

You can speed things up slightly between coats with these extra pointers:

• Work in a room with circulating air flow rather than stuffy conditions
• Gently wave hands downward instead of blowing to prevent bubbles
• Stash polish bottles upside down when not in use to keep moisture inside
• Try storing polishes in the fridge to make formula thicker and dry faster
• Give nails extra drying time if working in hot, humid weather

Rushing through layers almost always backfires with ugly sheet marks and dents. Be patient for polish that dries quickly and lasts fabulously!

Rubbing Alcohol Preps Nails for Lightning Speed

Bar tenders and Hollywood starlets have used this classic trick for ages – rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) acts as polish thinner, primer AND drying agent for fab nails fast.

The ethanol solvent preps nails by dissolving oils so lacquer adheres better. It also pulls leftover moisture from the nail plate to allow quicker drying between coats.

To try it:

• Pour a small amount of 70% isopropyl alcohol onto a cotton round
• Before applying any color, gently wipe over the entire nail surface
• Allow 30 seconds for residual alcohol to evaporate
• Apply base coat followed by thin polish coats, allowing 2 minutes dry time between
• Wipe nails with alcohol again before adding top coat to seal the deal

Reviewers report isopropyl alcohol decreasing their drying time a whopping 50%! For best results, do NOT blow or wave hands vigorously to “speed up” drying after applying. This causes bubbles and actually slows the process.

Just avoid contact with skin or cuticles as alcohol can cause irritation with overuse. Let the alcohol work its magic instead!

Skip the Steamy Showers for Faster Drying Tips

Are you noticing nail polish seems to dry slower in summer or the bathroom after a steamy shower? The culprit lies with humidity!

Damp, muggy conditions keep moisture and solvents trapped instead of evaporating properly from lacquer. This causes considerably slower dry times compared to arid climates.

For fastest nail drying results, avoid these humid hazards:

• Steamy showers or bathrooms while polishing nails
• Hot, humid outdoor conditions like summer weather
• Indoor activities that produce excessive moisture like cooking

If you must paint nails in humid environments, use a fan blowing gently over hands to help dissipate dampness. Avoid quick-dry drops as excess moisture will prevent them working effectively. Consider saving intricate nail art or french tips for cool winter weather instead when humidity is lower.

The ideal conditions for lightning fast dry times include cool, dry indoor air below 70°F degrees. Stash extra nail polish in the refrigerator rather than steamy bathrooms too for thicker, faster drying consistency.

Conclusion

With techniques like fast-dry top coats, portable UV lamps, and water dipping, you can easily cut your nail polish drying time by 50% or more! Ditch the frustration of waiting hours for lacquer to set without fear of denting or smudging delicate manicures.

We especially love keeping Seche Vite and Essie Speed Setter top coats on hand for instant dry down times with minimal effort. When tackling more complex nail looks, the MelodySusie lamp cures each layer to perfection.

For natural techniques with stuff lying around the house, nothing beats the icy water trick for prime dry times under 5 minutes flat! Just be sure you’re applying thin polish coats and avoiding humid conditions for speediest success.

We hope these pro nail polish drying hacks save you time and hassle on the way to flawless, enduring lacquer wear! Get ready to swipe on polish more often with colors setting beautifully in just minutes.