Those who use high-quality modern nail polishes, as a rule, do not have such a problem: products from leading brands contain special substances that speed up the drying process. But there are some types of varnishes that still take a long time to dry, no matter how high quality they are - in particular, this applies to decorative varnishes of dark tones. So, how to dry nail polish quickly?
Professionals in the field of nail design know that there are special nail care products that ensure quick drying and fastening of the decor on the nail plates. These include such preparations as “smart enamels” - they are included in almost all lines of professional nail art products. The enamel produced by the Frenchi Product brand has a very good reputation. You can treat the finished manicure with a spray like Severina - in this case, the varnish coating on the nails will dry in just a minute and will last quite a long time. And the products, a striking example of which is Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Speed Dry Droops, are called “nail dryers.”
But what to do if you don’t have any of these preparations at hand, and the fashionable nail polish of 2012 takes an unbearably long time to dry? Can you think of anything else? Of course, folk wisdom works well in this topic too. True, when creating holiday compositions - for example, New Year's nail design, you should not rush, otherwise the result will not live up to expectations.
Drying varnish using folk remedies
1. Plain cold water can act as a varnish fixer. If it takes at least half an hour to dry on its own, then you should definitely use the following method: pour cold water into a bowl and dip your painted nails in it. It is enough to keep them in a cool bath for about five minutes. Then remove your hands from the water. As soon as the last drop of moisture evaporates from the nails, the polish will dry. By the way, the polish dries very quickly after the marble nail design procedure, since it is carried out in a humid environment. Please note that the water must be cold - from 15 degrees and below. Otherwise, the nail polish will simply curl up.
2. Some women dry their nails after a manicure with a hot hairdryer. Despite the fact that the varnish hardens instantly, it will not last long, and literally the next day it will begin to crack and peel. In addition, the design on the nails immediately becomes cloudy and inexpressive. The reason for this is hot air. But if you can dry your nails under a stream of cold air, the effect will be excellent. The method is certainly good in cases where you need to quickly fix lace on your nails for a fashionable manicure.
3. “Grandma’s method” - shake your hands in the air or clap your hands, imitating applause.
4. As soon as the nail polish “sets” a little, you can try applying a drop of olive, sunflower or linseed oil to each nail. Leave it on for five minutes and then rinse with cold water. There is no need to wipe your hands, just shake off excess moisture: the remaining water will dry at the same time as the varnish.
Both certified masters and home craftsmen who do gel manicures only for themselves sometimes simply give up. Everything seems to be fine: expensive equipment and high-quality materials have been purchased, the technology has been thoroughly studied. But the question arises as to why the gel polish does not dry in the lamp. All efforts, all careful work go down the drain, since the coating either immediately or after a few hours swells with bubbles.
Perhaps you should just quit what you love? Our answer is no! You need to look for the causes of the problem and eliminate them.
Terms of use
Modern craftsmen usually use hybrid lamps, which contain both ultraviolet and LED bulbs. Several years ago, UF lamps were used predominantly, with an average drying time of 2 minutes. LED technology allows you to significantly reduce the polymerization time, while still getting good results.
Modern equipment and materials for nail services, as a rule, require a short drying period, which ranges from 30 to 60 seconds.
But there are also emergency situations when the question arises as to why the gel polish does not dry in the lamp. There may be several reasons.
Dispersion layer
This information will be useful only to beginners. If this is your first time using gel coatings, after drying you may encounter the following problem: the surface of your varnished nails is sticky, even seemingly soft. It looks like the polish hasn't dried at all...
Emotions aside! As reviews from eminent masters say, most likely, this is not about poor drying, but about residual stickiness. About the dispersion layer, if we speak in pro language. This is a normal phenomenon, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Just cover the nail with a layer of top coat and dry it in a lamp.
By the way, most topcoats also have a dispersion layer. You just need to remove it with a lint-free cloth soaked in a special liquid.
Too thick layer
Masters know, but beginners may not know, that it is better to apply 2-3 thin layers than one thick one.
If you have covered your nails with an impressive layer of varnish, it may not dry well. There is no reason to be upset: remove the coating and get ready for meticulous work. Apply thin layers and let each layer dry. Most likely, the problem will resolve itself.
Best before date
When purchasing any material for nail art, pay attention to the expiration date. It happens that the period has expired, but the varnish has not lost its characteristics. But as a rule, indicators change over time. If the expiration date has passed or is even approaching the end, the varnish may need more time to cure.
Storage conditions
As you know, not only lamps, but also the sun emit UF radiation. But why doesn't gel polish dry without a lamp?
If there are few rays, the material will remain unchanged. If there are too many of them, the gel polish can be dried in a well-lit place without a lamp. But if the rays are present in small quantities, but shine on the bottle, the varnish will most likely simply deteriorate.
Instructions on the bottle
Let's look at a simple example. Reviews of American-made My Nail gel polishes are diametrically opposed. Some do not spare enthusiastic epithets, praising good wearability and excellent pigmentation, thanks to which even one layer of coverage is enough. And for some, this material seems simply disgusting, because it swells with bubbles and quickly moves away from the nail plate. What causes this difference?
The answer can be found on the label: My Nail polish requires drying in an LED lamp for at least 2 minutes. This is not a disadvantage, it’s just that a highly pigmented coating takes longer. The usual 30 seconds is not enough for him.
This is just one example. There are plenty of similar materials in a variety of price segments, from the budget Bluesky to the premium Luxio.
Trust the manufacturer. Read the instructions and follow them. Then the question of why gel polish takes so long to dry in a lamp will not worry you. You will simply know that this particular material requires longer drying.
Acrylic Powder
This material has a wide range of applications. Mix the powder with the base and get an excellent material for strengthening your nails. Gently fluff the powder over the nail covered with undried topcoat - and you will get a velvet surface. Sprinkle the monograms with powder to make them velor and play with the contrast of textures. Highlight certain parts of the design by adding powder to a sticky layer of top coat for a frosty effect... In the hands of a true enthusiast, powder can accomplish a huge number of practical and design tasks.
But don’t forget about the technological features. Why doesn't gel polish dry in a lamp if it was used in the design? The answer is simple: this material always doubles the drying time. If you use it, increase the drying time to 2 minutes.
The same rule applies to other acrylic toppings. For example, granulated sugar.
Design materials
Foil, glass, kamifubuki, sliders and many other design materials require adherence to technology. But some craftsmen try to apply them on a wet layer of colored varnish.
The design material creates a natural barrier to the passage of rays. Therefore, polymerization cannot occur quickly.
It is better to apply the design on a base or top layer (dried or wet, depending on the specifics), and not directly on the colored varnish.
The problem is the lamp
But it also happens that all the details are met, the materials are of high quality, but the question of why the gel polish does not dry in the lamp remains open.
Perhaps you should pay attention to the lamp itself? There may be two reasons why the gel material does not polymerize well.
First, pay attention to the power. No serious manufacturer produces lamps with a power of less than 24 watts. But there are plenty of examples with a power of 12, 9 and even 6 watts on Asian sites. They also have a right to exist, moreover, they can become the best choice for “do-it-yourself” masters. However, you should not expect the same results from them as from professional and semi-professional lamps. Always increase the time if you are using a low wattage lamp.
Secondly, even the best lamp has an expiration date. Any equipment is subject to wear and tear. If a professional craftsman works on stream, the lamp may become unusable within a few months after purchase. Change light bulbs in a timely manner and ensure that the power supply is in good working order. If the equipment is “tired,” gel materials may not dry in the time that was previously sufficient.
There are situations in life when you need to get yourself in order in a short time, do a manicure, paint your nails with varnish and dry it.
The varnish will dry naturally, but when you don’t have time to wait, it’s worth using some secrets to speed up this process. Not only professional drying products can help with this, but also improvised products that every representative of the fair sex has at home.
How to quickly dry your nails: folk methods
There are several ways to quickly dry nail polish; for this you will need cold water, vegetable oil, a quick drying spray, a container or a hair dryer. Each girl can choose exactly the method that is easiest for her to implement.
- To make the polish dry faster, pour cold water into the container and throw in a few pieces of crushed ice. The lower the water temperature, the better, as the varnish will dry faster. Immerse your painted fingertips in water and hold in it for 5 minutes. Then dry the polish without wiping your fingers with a towel. But remember In order not to spoil the manicure, the polish should not be dried under cold running water.. Otherwise, it will become covered with cracks and chips.
- Prepare sunflower oil and apply it to the dried layer of varnish in a thin layer. Then run your hands under running water for a few minutes and dry your nails. Sunflower oil will not only help to dry quickly, but will also soften the cuticles, nourishing them with the beneficial substances included in the composition.
- Before doing a manicure, put the nail polish in a cool place or in the refrigerator for several hours. This will allow you to apply a thin layer of polish, which will help it dry faster.
- Properly applied varnish dries much faster than conventionally applied varnish.. Therefore, before applying varnish, degrease the nail plate. To do this, soak a cotton swab in a special nail polish remover and wipe each nail well. Then swipe. Then it will become smooth, which will extend the life of the manicure, and the polish will dry faster.
- To quickly dry your nail polish, use a regular hairdryer. Many modern hair dryers have a “cold air” mode. Do not dry your nail polish with hot air, otherwise it will quickly crack and will have to be reapplied. Apply the varnish itself and leave to dry for 2 minutes. Then turn on the hair dryer and place it at a distance of 15 cm from the nail, directing a stream of cold air.
How to quickly dry varnish: professional means
- To dry nail polish very quickly, buy professional products. These include a special spray, as well as a varnish for quick drying. Such products are usually used in beauty salons. They not only allow you to quickly dry the varnish, but also give the decorative coating a beautiful finish. Apply a special varnish to painted nails, and when using a spray, spray it at a distance of 15 cm from the nails.
- Liquid and solvent for nail polish remover, top coat with quick drying, special drying in sprays or drops will also help you.
- Before applying varnish, coat the nail plate with nail polish remover, degreasing with its help. It should not contain oils. If the nail polish remover contains oil, before applying the manicure, wash your hands with soap, dry them and wait until the nails are completely dry. Also, do not use before a manicure. creams, because the varnish does not adhere well to oily and damp nails and does not dry out.
- When the varnish thickens, it will not be able to dry quickly, so dilute the varnish with a special solvent. Place a few drops into the bottle and rub the bottle between your palms to mix the nail polish.
- To quickly dry a three-layer coating, take special products that help fix the varnish as quickly as possible. Special professional products include clear varnish, spray or oil drops.
- To prevent a thick film from forming on your nails, use spray drying. Spray the product over the varnish and wait 10 minutes. Once the varnish has dried, do not touch hard surfaces for 30 minutes to avoid damage.
- Special oil drops will also quickly dry your manicure.. The bottle with oil drops is equipped with a brush that allows you to dispense the liquid when applied to the nails. For the nail you only need 1 drop. The drop will distribute itself evenly; rubbing it over the nail plate is not necessary. After 12 minutes, wash your hands carefully and pat dry with a towel.
- Very convenient for quick drying of varnish drying, which also performs protective functions. This drying is applied in the same way as a simple varnish. It creates a shiny, thin and instantly drying film on the nails. The fastest way to allow the polish to dry instantly is a special nail dryer labeled “express”. Apply this coating in a thick layer and the varnish will dry in 2 minutes.
- To avoid the varnish taking a long time to dry, apply it in a thin layer. If the layer is not very dense, apply no more than 2 layers. But apply the second coat only when you are sure that the first coat is dry. Old varnishes also take the longest to dry.
A beautifully done manicure makes your hands look well-groomed and elegant. But To ensure that your manicure does not cause unnecessary problems and brings pleasure, you need to learn how to dry it quickly. They can help with this both the simplest means for drying nail polish, and professional ones, which are used by masters in any beauty salon when creating
How to quickly dry nail polish? In fact, how quickly the polish dries depends on the technique of applying it to the nails. In order not to waste extra time waiting, do not forget about the basic rules:
Nails must be dry
You should not do a manicure immediately after taking a shower. To achieve maximum results in durability and drying speed, immediately before manicure, degrease your nails with a special nail cleanser or dehydrator.
The varnish should be applied in two thin layers
The thicker the coating, the longer it will take to dry and the worse it will adhere. If the varnish does not give a dense color even after applying it in two layers, use the following life hack: first apply a thin layer of white varnish, and on top - one layer of colored varnish. This will avoid a multi-layered “cake” on your nails, which will take forever to dry. And do not forget that before applying another layer, you need to wait at least a minute or two until the previous one dries.
Wait 15 minutes for the coating to dry
Even if the bottle of varnish bears a promising “60 second” mark, do not expect that you will be able to run errands immediately after this time. In one minute, the varnish will only “set”, but the coating will not withstand such a test as fastening a button on a coat: the varnish will definitely smear. Give your manicure at least 15 minutes - read a book, sort out your email on the computer, or watch a new episode of your favorite TV series. Of course, everything necessary for this should be prepared in advance.
If the coating is damaged during drying, moisten your finger with water or oil and rub the damaged area in a circular “polishing” motion. You will have time to do this quickly - there will be practically no traces left!
Professional life hacks and special products, the range of which is expanding every year, will also help speed up the drying process:
- Top coat with drying effect. Typically, this is a quick-drying clear varnish that will not only speed up the drying of all layers of varnish, but will also help secure any protruding design elements.
- Spray drying. Evaporating from the nails, the product helps the polish dry quickly.
- Oil drying. Special oil-based drops not only speed up the drying of the polish, but also care for the skin around the nails.
- Cold water. When exposed to low temperatures, the varnish hardens much faster. The easiest way is to place your hands under running cold water.
- Oil. If you don’t have a special oil dryer at hand, you can use caring nail oil or even regular vegetable oil. It will prevent accidental smearing and speed up drying.
- Special drying apparatus with a fan. The cool air flow will allow the polish to dry faster, but it's important not to overdo it. Too high a speed can cause the coating to shrink at the edges and cause bubbles to appear.
- Hairdryer with cold air function. It is important not to use high temperatures - under their influence, the varnish, on the contrary, will soften more and more.
Do you have your own tips for drying nail polish quickly? Share with us in the comments!
I think all women are familiar with the problem when they need to do something urgently or run somewhere, but the nail polish they just painted is not yet dry. What to do? Should I run away and all my hard work be in vain, or “let the whole world wait”? Or maybe there are other ways to solve this problem? How to quickly dry nail polish at home?
Express drying of varnish using folk and professional means
Oh, what a long and painful wait for the varnish to dry. 40 minutes of hard work, fear of moving your hand and smearing a fresh manicure, and this beauty will last for three days at best.
No one denies that you can use shellac, but not everyone can wear the same design for several weeks. Many girls prefer to be different every day, and only regular nail polish can be washed and reapplied without significant harm. But how to speed up the manicure process itself?
The average nail painting consists of four layers: a base, two coats of polish and a top coat. Each layer dries for 10-15 minutes, and the whole process drags on for a long period of time. “Oh, if only the varnish dried faster!” - exclaims every second girl in the process of manicure. It turns out that this is not the stuff of science fiction; indeed, with the help of professional products and folk methods, you can cut your manicure time in half.
How to quickly dry nail polish at home?
Anything we have at hand and in sight can speed up the drying process.
Firstly, something we can’t last even a week without – water. Place your freshly manicured fingers under running cold water. The main thing is not to put your hands in the baths, as the varnish may bubble or start to “strip”. Wait 2-3 minutes after applying the polish and run to the sink.
Secondly, the coldest place in the house is the freezer. After painting your nails, stick your hands in the freezer for 3-5 minutes. But be careful when you take your hands out of the refrigerator, you may unwittingly touch your nails and smear your beauty. If you have no one to help you, then “make hands” one by one.
Third, oil. After a few minutes, drop a drop of oil on each nail and leave for another 5 minutes. You can use any vegetable oil, and if you take olive or flaxseed oil, you can also moisturize the cuticle.
Fourth, the cold is your friend. A fan or hairdryer on a cold setting will help quickly dry each layer of varnish.
Using at least one of the options for quick drying of polish given above, you will reduce your manicure time by an average of 10-15 minutes.
Professional “drying” - is there an effect?
You've probably come across products for quickly drying varnish. But they never took the risk of buying it, for fear of being disappointed. Most professional dryers contain oil, which helps the varnish dry. These products form a protective film on the nails, which protects the varnish from the harmful effects of the environment and, as a result, prolongs the life of the manicure.
There are three types of drying:
- In the form of nail polish. It's easy to use, but if you press too hard on the brush, you can smudge the polish.
For example, Essence coating for quick drying of varnish" express drying"at an attractive price.
- In the form of a spray. Spraying must be carried out over the sink, since the product gets not only on the nails and hands, but also spreads over a certain radius. Is very economical.
For example, high-quality Alessandro spray drying for varnish " Nail Polish Speed Dry", 50 ml. Can be ordered in the online store.
- In the form of a liquid drip product. It’s convenient to use, just drop a drop on your nail; you don’t touch the “raw” varnish, which means you won’t damage it in any way. The downside is that it may swell on your fingers.