Nail Polish Not Drying? Here’s What You Can Do

Nail polish is an essential beauty item that helps us enhance our look and feel confident. However, one of the most frustrating experiences is when the polish just won’t dry, leaving you with smudged nails that ruin the entire look. In this article, we’ll look at the reasons why nail polish may not be drying and how you can fix the issue.

Why You Nail Polish Isn’t Drying

When it comes to painting your nails, the last thing you want is for your polish to not dry properly, leaving you with smudged and ruined nails. Understanding these possible causes can help you avoid the frustration of smudged nails and achieve perfect, polished nails every time.

1. Improper Application

When applying nail polish, it’s crucial to be mindful of the amount of polish you’re using. Over-applying the polish can create a thick layer that takes longer to dry or may not dry at all. Additionally, not allowing each layer to dry before adding another can also prevent the polish from drying properly. This can cause the polish to smudge, ruining the entire look. To avoid this, it’s best to apply thin layers and wait a few minutes in between coats to allow the polish to dry.

2. Humidity

High humidity levels can have a significant impact on the drying time of nail polish. When the air is saturated with moisture, it can slow down the drying process of the polish, causing it to take longer to dry or not dry at all. This can be especially problematic in the summer months or in areas with high humidity levels. To overcome this issue, using a fan or increasing ventilation can help reduce the humidity levels in the air, which will speed up the drying process of the polish.

3. Poor Quality Nail Polish

Another reason why nail polish may not be drying is the quality of the polish itself. Cheap or old nail polish may not have the same formulation as high-quality polishes and may not dry properly, leaving your nails smudged and ruined. To avoid this issue, it’s essential to invest in good quality nail polish, which is formulated to dry quickly and leave a smooth, even finish. Additionally, using fresh polish can also help ensure that the polish dries properly.

Solutions to Try

If you’re frustrated with your nail polish not drying properly, there are several solutions that can help.

Proper Application

Proper application is key to ensuring that your nail polish dries properly. This involves applying thin layers of polish and waiting a few minutes in between coats to allow each layer to dry. Additionally, it’s important to avoid over-applying the polish, as this can create a thick layer that takes longer to dry or may not dry at all. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your nail polish dries properly and leaves a smooth, even finish.

Environment Control

Another solution to this problem is to control the environment in which you’re painting your nails. High humidity levels can slow down the drying process of the polish, so reducing the humidity levels in the air can help speed up the drying process. Using a fan or increasing ventilation can help reduce the humidity levels, which will allow the polish to dry faster.

Quality Nail Polish

Investing in good quality nail polish is another crucial step in ensuring that your nail polish dries properly. High-quality polishes are formulated to dry quickly and leave a smooth, even finish, while cheap or old polish may not dry properly, leaving your nails smudged and ruined. Additionally, using fresh polish can also help ensure that the polish dries properly. By using high-quality nail polish and using it fresh, you can help ensure that your nail polish dries quickly and leaves a beautiful, long-lasting finish.

Use a Fan or Blow Dryer

Using a fan can be an effective way to help dry your nails faster. The cool air helps to harden the polish and speed up the drying process. Be sure to use a fan that’s not too powerful, as strong gusts of air can cause the polish to smudge. Hold the fan at least six inches away from your nails, and angle it so that the air blows over your nails rather than directly onto them.

Dip Nails in Cold Water

Dipping your nails in cold water is a classic trick for drying nail polish faster. The cold water helps to cool down the polish and cause it to harden more quickly. To do this, fill a bowl with cold water and add a few ice cubes. Wait a few minutes for the water to get very cold, then dip your nails in for a minute or two. Be sure to pat your nails dry with a clean towel afterward to prevent any smudging.

Use a Quick-Drying Spray

Quick-drying sprays are a type of product that can be sprayed over your nails to help them dry faster. These sprays work by evaporating quickly, which helps to speed up the drying process of the nail polish. When using a quick-drying spray, be sure to hold the can at least six inches away from your nails, and spray a light mist over each nail.

Wait a few minutes for the spray to dry before using your hands. Some quick-drying sprays contain oils or other moisturizing ingredients that can help nourish your nails, so look for products that offer these benefits if you’re interested.

Use a UV Light

Using UV light to dry nail polish is a popular method for those who want to speed up the drying process. It works by emitting ultraviolet rays that penetrate the polish and harden it quickly, resulting in a faster and more durable manicure. However, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when using UV light for this purpose.

Firstly, it’s essential to use a lamp that’s specifically designed for drying nails. Not all UV lamps are suitable for this purpose, so be sure to choose one that’s made for nails. Additionally, it’s important to follow the instructions carefully and not overexpose your nails to the UV light, as this could cause damage.

Another thing to consider is the type of nail polish you’re using. Some polishes are designed to work specifically with UV lamps, while others may not be compatible. Be sure to read the label and choose a polish that’s appropriate for use with UV light.

Prevention

To prevent this issue from happening in the future, it’s essential to follow proper application techniques, such as applying thin layers and waiting between coats. Additionally, controlling the environment by using a fan or increasing ventilation can help reduce humidity levels. Finally, investing in quality nail polish and using fresh polish can help ensure that your nails dry properly every time.

Myths About Drying Nail Polish 

Here are some common myths about nail polish not drying:

Nail polish dries faster in hot temperatures

This is not necessarily true. While heat can speed up the evaporation of the solvents in the polish, it can also cause the polish to crack or shrink, leading to smudges or chips.

Using a quick-dry topcoat will always solve the problem

While quick-dry topcoats can help speed up the drying process, they may not work if the underlying issue is related to the polish itself or the application technique.

Nail polish will dry faster if you wave your hands in the air

This is a myth. Waving your hands in the air will not speed up the drying process and may even cause smudges or smears on the polish.

You can use a hair dryer to dry nail polish

This is not recommended, as the hot air from a hair dryer can cause the polish to crack or shrink, leading to smudges or chips.

Final Thoughts 

There are several reasons why nail polish may not be drying, including improper application, humidity, and poor quality polish. By following proper application techniques, controlling the environment, and investing in quality polish, you can ensure that your nails dry properly every time. With these tips, you can avoid the frustration of smudged nails and have perfect, polished nails every time.