Patience is a virtue … except when it comes to drying your nails. We’ve all had the painful experience of thinking our manicure is dry, only to have it ruined by something as simple as texting, eating, or looking for keys in our handbag (let’s face it, that last one will always be risky). What’s also not fun?
Going to bed with perfectly polished nails or toes and waking up to dents, smudges, and stained sheets. The good news is there are a few ways to speed up the process. Find a method that best suits your needs, below.Editor-Tested: We Found a Healthy Alternative to Gel Manicures
Butter London Hardwear P.D. Quick Top Coat
Quick-drying top coats are a manicure savior, especially when you’re on the go. We recommend swiping on a thin layer of Butter London’s P.D. Quick Top Coat ($19; butterlondon.com) to achieve a glossy, gel-like finish. Your precious polish will remain protected under the formula and because it’s “5-free,” there are no harmful chemicals included.
Deborah Lippmann The Wait Is Over Quick-Drying Drops
Another method you can try are drops. We’re fans of Deborah Lippmann’s verision ($20; sephora.com), which gets the job done in 60 seconds flat. Simply apply one drop on each nail after you add a top coat, and you’re set—no dents or smears to worry about later.
Formula X Dry
You’ve probably seen these used at your nail salon, so why not reap the benefits at home? A drying spray, like the one by Formula X ($14; sephora.com) seen here, will accelerate the process just the same.
Lightly mist it over a fresh paint job and allow time to evaporate—just remember to let your lacquer set for a minute or two before spraying for best results.PHOTOS: The Hottest Nail Colors of Spring 2015