How to speed-up nail dry time

How to speed-up nail dry time
You’ve successfully applied the final layer on a long-looked-forward-to mani-pedi; your tips and toes look pristine. Now, you really need to dash out of the door but are understandably desperate to ensure you don’t scuff your polish.

Yes, for an absolutely perfect, salon-standard, at-home manicure, we’d always recommend a base coat, two layers of colour and top coat. However, dry time can be upwards of 15-20 minutes… unless, of course, you have a few essentials and some insider words of wisdom at your disposal. Enter our four tried-and-tested tips for delivering a flawless finish, fast.

A faster-drying manicure in 4 steps

1. Light layers are a must

With all our high-pigment L’Oxygéné polishes plus base and top coats, thin layers really are all you need. Sweep on a larger amount and not only will it take considerably longer to dry, but you’re more susceptible to your manicure peeling. Simply remove excess polish at the top of your bottle before brushing onto nails.

2. Pause between each coat
Allowing each layer to dry before applying the next makes a world of difference to both final dry time and that all-important smudge-free finish. Trust us, it’s worth the wait.

3. Choose Fast Dry Gloss
Switching your usual top coat for Fast Dry Gloss will give you a durable, ultra-shiny, touch-dry finish in a fraction of the time - just 40 seconds to be precise. Worried about colour fade? Bestselling Fast Dry Gloss has inbuilt UV blockers, locking in vibrancy for longer.

Tip: Remember, you can also reapply Fast Dry Gloss every 2-3 days to refresh your manicure while prolonging its wear even more.

4. Drop on Dry and Dash
Our Dry and Dash Lacquer Drying Drops are the secret weapon of salon professionals… and they’re available for your at-home manicure too. Formulated with a patented blend of volatiles and oils, applying just one drop onto the centre of each nail over your top coat accelerates dry time beyond compare. The benefits don’t stop there, however. Dry and Dash is also enriched with nourishing Inca Inchi Oil and antioxidants Vitamins A and E, helping boost nail and cuticle condition and vitality. The perfect final step for every mani-pedi!


Inspired to try a full at-home Nailberry manicure? Follow our 10-step guide here.