Cross body Bags with Clever Design During a recent music festival I attended, I faced a common dilemma. I wanted the freedom to move around with a bag securely fastened around my body, rather than slung over my shoulder. However, I also needed to carry a substantial amount of stuff. Fanny packs and traditional crossbody purses didn't quite fit the bill, and a backpack was out of the question because I needed quick access to my phone for impromptu videos and my wallet for snacks and drinks while dashing from one stage to another. My solution? A cre...
How to make nail polish dry faster
Have you ever wondered how long it takes for your nails to dry after getting them all polished up? The answers can be quite diverse, ranging from "just five minutes" to "maybe tomorrow, or even never?" It's quite confusing to figure out when it's safe to move around, scratch your nose, or make a quick call. We've all been there - reaching into our bags with freshly painted nails, only to find smudges ruining our perfect polish.
To clear things up, we talked to professional nail artists to get the scoop. Here's what they shared with us:
Let's start with the basics: How does nail polish actually work?
Jin Soon Choi, the genius behind JINsoon Nail Spas and the JINsoon Nail Lacquer Line in New York, breaks it down for us. Nail polish is made up of liquids to keep it smooth, materials that create a protective layer, colors that give it its hues, and substances that make it stick to your nails better.
When it comes to drying, it's all about letting the liquids evaporate. But here's the key: evaporation starts on the outer layer and gradually goes through the whole application. That's why you might touch your nails and think they're dry, only to accidentally mess them up a few moments later.
So, how long do you have to wait for those nails to be good to go?
Now that you know drying begins on the outside, let's talk timing. The experts have different opinions, mainly focusing on the distinction between being "dry to the touch" and being "solid enough to rummage through your bag."
Amy Ling Lin, founder of Sundays Studios in New York, explains it this way: Even though the surface feels dry, the layers below need a bit more time to fully set. It's a phase you can't skip. That's why you need to be careful not to bump into things or do activities that might mess up your freshly painted nails.
Let's break it down even further:
10 to 15 minutes:
Give it 15 minutes before you start doing anything too demanding. Thea Green, founder of Nails.Inc, suggests that pressing your newly painted nails will leave a mark if you're too quick. Hang Nguyen, a nail artist, adds that while it might seem dry to the touch in 10-15 minutes, it takes about 1 to 2 hours for complete dryness.
20 minutes:
According to nail artist Britney Tokyo, this is the average drying time for her clients. After 20 minutes, you're in the "safe surface" dry zone. Just remember, a full manicure or pedicure takes about 6 hours to fully set.
30 minutes: Jin Soon Choi mentions having 15-minute timers at her drying stations, but most clients opt for two drying rounds. She suggests not engaging in activities that heavily use your hands for 2 to 3 hours after a manicure.
A whole day: If you're using regular lacquer (not the fast-drying kind), it can take a few hours for your nails to be completely dry. Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood, thinks it's a full 24 hours for them to be truly dry, so you don't have to worry about chipping during everyday tasks.
Looking for ways to speed up the drying process? Here are some tips:
Make sure your nails are ready for the polish. Thea Green advises that your nails should be oil-free before you start.
Keep your polish in the fridge. Britney Tokyo recommends this quirky trick for smoother application.
Apply two thin coats of polish. Thinner layers dry faster.
Allow each coat to dry completely before adding the next one.
After top coating, let your nails air dry a bit, then dip them in cold water or place them under a fan to speed things up.
Some tricks, like using quick-dry spray or oil, might not work as well as you'd hope, according to Britney Tokyo. And Jin Soon Choi advises against using quick-dry drops right after applying polish, as it might actually make your nails take longer to dry.
If you're in a rush, you can use your hair dryer on the coolest setting from about a foot away to avoid bubbles and smudges. And if you're really pressed for time, the social media hack of using hairspray to set your nails can be a lifesaver.
So, there you have it! Nail artists have their favorite quick-dry products too. It's all about finding what works best for you.
Comments
Post a Comment