How Long Does It Take Nail Polish to Dry? We Got a Definitive Answer

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We've all been there: A last-minute date pops up and you can't bare the sight of those naked cuticles  or, possibly far worse, that once-fresh manicure is chipped or smudged. It's almost inevitable, the natural order of universal law. And it leaves you wondering just what it will take to get budge-proof varnish.

We did the research and spoke with three nail experts—Cyndi Ramirez, Georgia Rae, and Jessica Tong—to get a definitive answer to an age-old question: How long does it actually take for nail polish to dry? Keep reading to find out how patient you'll need to be for a dent-free mani.

How Long Does It Take Nail Polish to Dry Completely?
It should take 45 minutes to an hour for your nails to dry completely if you've applied a base coat, two coats of colour, and a top coat, Rae tells us. "Formaldehyde-free polishes may take more time to dry," she notes. However, most nail polishes with dry enough for you to resume normal tasks like texting after about 20 minutes.

"Polishes can dry in a timely fashion as long as they are applied thinly and evenly on a clean surface and topped with a proper topcoat," says Tong. The operative words here are thin and evenly. 

How to Dry Nails Faster

• Wash off extra cuticle oil: "Don't leave your hands too greasy or oily before you apply polish," advises Ramirez. "It will most definitely chip or start bubbling."
• Always apply a base coat: Rae emphasizes that no matter what is needed for your desired look, don't skip your foundation.
• Keep the application as thin as possible: If you're short on time, Rae swears by a sheer manicure.  "You can apply less product, which means quicker drying time," she notes.
• Don't use old, sticky polish: Ramirez says to avoid using polish older than six months. If it has a thick consistency, this usually indicates that it is past its prime.
• Rely on a good top coat
• Use a quick dry oil or a nail drying spray: Both products lock in moisture and protect your nails from smudging.
• Run nails under cold water: You can also submerge your fingers in ice water for about three seconds; the manicurists say the temperature difference will keep the color in place. But be sure to take care when drying your hands and nails afterward—use paper towels rather than a hand towel, as the fabric may still stick to your nail polish. 

How to Maintain Your Manicure
Making it safely on the other side of a two-hour drying time doesn't always guarantee smudge- and dent-free nail polish. To help your manicure last longer, Rae suggests wearing gloves when cleaning. "The chemicals in detergents can dry out the polish, causing it to crack, and will also dry out the natural nail," she explains. 

She also recommends applying cuticle oil or balm two to three times a day or as much as possible. "It keeps the nail, cuticle, and surrounding skin hydrated, especially [after] excessive hand washing and sanitizing," she says.