Quick-dry options aren’t all that different from traditional nail polish, but they separate themselves with the ability to dry completely at a much faster speed. “Quick-dry nail polish is formulated with solvents that evaporate more quickly than those in regular polish, which speeds up the drying process on the surface,” De Los Santos explains. Some favorites from OPI, Sally Hansen, and Dazzle Dry can even cure in less than 60 seconds.
Thanks to the category’s expansion in recent years, it’s a breeze to find a rapid-dry polish in just about any color or finish, making it easier than ever to narrow down your polish of choice. And to save you even more time, we consulted with De Los Santos, along with other professional nail artists, to round up the best quick-dry nail polishes to shop now, including picks to help you get the soap nails and butter yellow trends and much more.
Ahead, learn tips and tricks to craft your best at-home or in-salon mani yet while avoiding nicks and smudges post-polish.
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Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper’s BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
When this writer has absolutely no time to wait for nail polish to dry, I reach for this classic quick-dry formula from Sally Hansen. It’s my favorite for quick at-home pedicures in the spring and summer, when I inevitably need to leave the house in 10 minutes and have forgotten I will be wearing open-toed shoes—and I never have to worry about smears or smudges. Available in a wide range of colors, it delivers intense pigment and a glossy finish while drying in about a minute. Another plus? The brush covers a wide surface area and glides over the nail bed with ease.
Customer review: “I am not one to do my fingernails because I’m too busy and can’t sit and wait for them to dry. I tried this polish and absolutely love it!! I don’t have to wait forever to use my hands or mess up my nails. This is perfect for me! Highly recommend.” —Sasha
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Angled brush allows for easier application with both hands
Cons
- May chip faster than the original nail-polish formula
If you need an express at-home manicure, count on Essie’s popular Expressie polish to deliver high-impact color with shockingly minimal dry time. Its formula dries down in about a minute flat. The Expressie line features the brand’s first angled brush, making it easier to paint with your nondominant hand.
Customer review: “Essie Expressie Quick-Dry nail polish is a great product. It glides on easily and leaves a smooth shine when it dries. I love the creation of the quick-dry feature! The angled brush is amazing!” —Linda
Pros
- Available in a wide range of color options
Cons
- Over $20
You’ve likely seen a few bottles of Dazzle Dry’s viral nail polishes at your local salon, and for good reason. Their formula not only dries quickly, it also lasts longer than many other lacquers—quick-dry or not.
Customer review: “As advertised. No chipping for at least 7 days, and I’m not exactly easy on my nails.” —Jennifer B.
Pros
- 15-free formula
- Provides glossy finish
Cons
- Some reviewers feel that it chips quickly
De Los Santos counts on Olive & June’s quick-dry polish for smooth application and fast-drying, vibrant color. The 15-free, high-shine formula can be found in tons of pretty colors, but its neutral range, which includes several pinks, browns, and beiges, is what sets it apart from the rest. It dries down in roughly a minute, and two to three coats will give you an opaque finish.
Customer review: “Easy to apply with a quality brush and dries very quickly. Quality product.” —Ruth P.
Pros
- Light-reflecting, shimmery finish offered in several colors
- Easy to apply
Cons
- May chip easier than original nail-polish formula
Thanks to this coveted polish, you can get a professional-level nail look at home without having to worry about smudging it in seconds. Along with sheer, shimmery shades, the line also includes a selection of opaque lacquers worth trying. And since OPI’s RapiDry brush is made with 200 extra bristles, it helps pick up more product while distributing polish more seamlessly onto your nails.
Customer review: “I love me some rapid dry nail polish! Works well, great colors, and good coverage. I can usually get a few days’ use before the polish starts to rub off the tips or chips. Easy to do touch-ups to get some time between re-applying polish.” —Melissa
Pros
- Dries in less than one minute
Cons
- Some reviewers feel the brush is a little narrow
For your next mani, try this speedy formula from the experts at Nails Inc. that dries within 45 seconds. It’s also infused with ingredients that help strengthen your nails as you wear it while extending the life of your manicure. Just don’t forget to apply a top coat to really seal the deal.
Customer review: “Beautiful shade that doesn’t easily chip. So many compliments on this unique color! Goes on well with the brush, but did need three coats.” —Cara P.
Pros
- Built-in base coat
Cons
- Isn’t offered in as many colors as other quick-dry polishes
True to its name, a single layer of this budget-friendly polish dries in around 40 seconds. It’s offered in a bevy of wearable shades and is said to resist chips for up to five days. It has a built-in base coat, which will save you even more time when you’re in a rush to get out the door with a fresh mani.
Customer review: “You can’t beat the price. Great color and goes on well. The nail polish has pretty good durability, but it was a little difficult to take off. I used two coats and it lasted about a week before I needed to redo my nails.” —Tara
Pros
- Expert-approved
- Great for nail art
Cons
- Formula may thicken over time
This quick-dry top coat gets the expert stamp of approval from both celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein and De Los Santos. “If you need super-speed drying, this is it,” De Los Santos says. “Your nails will be dry before you even finish polishing the last finger. It’s seriously fast.” You can use it over your colored polish to lock in your look or on its own to create a clean, natural mani with a glossy finish. Gerstein adds that it’s the only top coat she’ll use over nail art, as it never causes the colors to run together.
Customer review: “The only top coat I use! Nail polish dries immediately, it’s non-irritating to skin, and my manicures last 7–10 days. No kidding!” —BeRo
Meet the experts
- Erica De Los Santos is a nail artist and the founder of Nail’d It Beauty Lounge in New Jersey.
- Evelyn Lim is a nail artist and the chief educator at MiniLuxe’s Paintbox studio in New York City.
- Elle Gerstein is a celebrity nail artist.
How should I prep my nails for a manicure?
If you’re looking to improve the wear of your at-home manicures, Gerstein says it’s important not to rush through your nail prep steps. “Begin by scrubbing your nails with an antibacterial soap. Think of it like washing your face,” she says. After your nails have dried, she recommends using isopropyl alcohol (75 percent and up) to cleanse each nail. “This will create a flawless, ultraglossy, long-lasting, and fast-drying manicure,” she explains. Remember: Acetone isn’t a replacement for cleansing the nails with isopropyl alcohol. “Acetone actually leaves debris on the nail and causes polishes to chip faster or not to dry. It’s like painting with oil, which never dries,” explains Gerstein.
Do you still need a top coat with quick-dry nail polish?
Using a top coat is an essential step to increase the longevity of your manicure, no matter your polish of choice. “Even though quick-dry polish sets faster, it doesn’t mean you can skip the top coat,” says De Los Santos. “A good top coat helps seal everything in, adds shine, prevents chipping, and can even give your nails that salon-finished look—especially if you use a quick-dry top coat too.”
How long does it take for polish to fully dry?
De Los Santos notes that each layer of polish needs somewhere between five and 10 minutes to fully dry. So, if you apply a base coat, two coats of polish, and a top coat, that’s between 30 and 40 minutes. “A big misconception is thinking that once polish feels dry to the touch, it’s completely set—but that’s not the case,” she explains. “Even if the top layer feels dry, there are usually two or three more layers underneath that are still soft and vulnerable to smudging. I always keep in mind that drying time stacks up.”
Using quick-dry polish can speed things up, but nail artist Evelyn Lim says to avoid cramming hands and feet into tight areas, like your pockets or closed-toed shoes, for at least 30 minutes after a manicure or pedicure. “Properly drying will help the longevity of the manicure, avoiding smudges and premature chipping,” she adds.
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