Imagine you just finished painting your nails. During a full episode of The Ted Bundy Files, you trimmed, filed, and buffed. You painted one layer of polish followed by a second coat because the first one was too sheer — and finally, after 45 minutes and a little cuticle clean up, you’re done. That is until you stand up and accidentally brush your hand across the coffee table. Just like that, your perfectly polished ring finger is a smudged mess.
If you’re constantly dealing with a similar situation — polish that refuses to dry as fast as you need it to — consider investing in a quick-dry formula. Now, there are a lot polishes out there with speedy claims, so we asked manicure pro Naomi Yasuda to break down the ones that actually live up to their label.
Ahead, you’ll find the best quick-dry nail polishes in a range of gorgeous shades. From bright tangerine to sheer sparkle, invest in the one that speaks to you — so you can get back to living your life, even five minutes post-manicure.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Nail pro Naomi Yasuda tells us that, when she’s in a rush, she’s quick to pick up this Jin Soon polish in the shade Enflammee. "I love this vibrant coral color," she says. "It has a crazy-quick dry time and the finish is chip-proof."
JINsoon Nail Polish in ENFLAMMÉE, $18, available at JinSoon
A lesser-known fact about top coat: Technically, it doesn’t need to top anything. If you’re in a pinch and can’t decide on a color, you can paint a quick-dry top coat on a bare nail to get a natural-looking shine. "While it’s not a color polish, Chanel’s quick-dry top coat is incredible," says Yasuda. "Use it over your favorite color polish or on its own."
Chanel CHANEL Le Top Coat Quick Dry And Shine, $28, available at Barneys New York
Julep’s Classic with a Twist polish in the shade Faith — a lavender with a soft, pearlescent finish — is a great pick if you’re constantly on the hunt for a sheer pastel polish that doesn’t require three coats with added dry time in between. "This line of Julep polishes puts a quick-dry twist on the brand’s classic colors," explains Yasuda. "The shade Faith is a gorgeous light purple with a pop of shine."
Julep Nail Polish in Faith Classic With A Twist, $14, available at Julep
To add an instant, iridescent glow to your nails — bare or polished — you can’t go wrong with this YSL polish in Blanc. "I’ve used this polish at Fashion Week, when I only have two minutes before the models need to be on the runway," Yasuda tells us. "Not only does it dry in a snap, but the finish is gorgeous, and the formula has top coat-like properties that help strengthen your nails."
Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture Spring Look 2019 in Blanc Figuratif, $28, available at Yves Saint Laurent
If you frequently breeze through the nail polish aisle at the drugstore, you’ve probably seen Sally Hansen’s adorable collaboration with Crayola. "If I’m using the Insta-Dri formula, I usually go with a shade from the Crayola collection," Yasuda says. "Like a box of crayons, there are so many color options — and they’re all so vivid and fun."
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Crayola Spring Nail Polish in Wild Watermelon, $8, available at Walmart
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Source: Refinery29