Preparation
After a manicure, waiting for your nails to dry can feel like an eternity. Even though nail polish drying times vary by the number of coats you apply, the type of nail polish used, and the climate you’re in, there are products that were made specifically to dry fast. From subtle neutrals to dark, earthy tones, quick-drying polishes come in an array of colors and at different price points. You can buy a fast-drying hue that’ll suit your needs, which means you’ll never have to worry about carving out time for your nails to dry again.
Thanks to modern innovations, a slew of different brands are rolling out quick-drying nail polish options. “Just before the [pandemic], back when we all didn’t have time on our hands (literally), two really exciting quick-dry lines hit the shelves,” explains celebrity and editorial nail artist Miss Pop Nails. “One is by Essie called Expressie and dries in about a minute. The other is Nails Inc. Speedy Gloss and it dries in 45 seconds. They are both amazing breakthroughs that offer decent wear, particularly for quick dry polish which has the bad reputation of flaking off as fast as it was put on.” And these two brands are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fast-drying lacquers.
Best Affordable Option: LeChat Nail PolishQuickest Dry Time: Nails Inc. 45 Second Quick-Drying Nail PolishBest Hero Brand: OPI Nail Lacquer Nail PolishBest Gel-Like: Gel Couture by EssieBest 60-Second Dry: Essie Expressie Quick-Dry Nail PolishBest for Nail Art: Paintbox Nail LacquerBest Add-On: OPI Rapid Dry Spray
