Drying your nails may take only a few measly minutes, but trust us when we say: It can feel like forever. Much like waiting for water to boil or the oft-mentioned “treadmill minute,” time seems to stretch on and on as you eye the clock. Here’s exactly how to dry nails fast—not only do these tips cut down on drying time, but they can help keep your nails from smudging, too. Essentially, the frigid air can shock the top layer of polish dry, but you’ll still want to be careful with your tips, as the layers underneath might not be completely set. Dipping your nails in ice water has a similar shocking effect, but again, you might only be effectively drying the top coat of polish. You don’t want to go full blast with the dryer, either: “A blow dryer can dry out your cuticle area, which you spent a lot of time nourishing during a manicure,” says Lin. Keep both settings on low, no matter which tool you use, to avoid drying out the surrounding skin. RELATED STORY: The 13 Best Nontoxic Nail Polishes & Brands RELATED STORY: At-Home Pedicure: 9 Steps To A Natural Pedi + 3 DIY Tips If you can’t bear waiting out the 10-minute window, we get it. You’ve got things to do, people to see, both of which require some dexterity. To make your nails dry faster (and keep them from bubbling, smudging, or denting during the wait time), mind these 10 tips:
