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The best quick-dry nail products
In such a busy world these days, who has the time to run around with a wet manicure?
Luckily for busy nail enthusiasts, there are plenty of quick dry nail products on the market! Quick dry nail products can be applied to your nails after nail varnish to help them dry within minutes. The Good Housekeeping Institute has the scoop on this time-saving product.
Quick dry nail products have a combination of volatile ingredients that absorb the solvents in the nail polish to help speed up the drying process. Some formulas include other oils to nourish nails or give them a shiny effect.
Most quick dry nail drops come in small glass bottles, which are easy for travel, especially for flights (aerosol cans aren’t air cabin-friendly). One thing to consider is that quick dry nail drops require a certain amount of precision when using the dropper, as they can be a bit runny. For those who choose speed over precision, aerosol sprays can cover the nail very quickly and evaporate in a flash. Both product types work in the same way, so choosing which product works best is ultimately up to your preference.
From our Good Housekeeping Institute lab results, a majority of testers noted that their nails only took between 1-2 minutes to dry when they used a quick dry nail product.
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Nail Drops Winner
Mavala MavaDry Quick Drying Top Coat
Score: 85/100
Our testers reported that their nails were touch-dry in less than two minutes, and that the product gave their nails a shiny finish, very much like a top coat. The formulation itself is thin but not runny, and testers said it was very easy to apply and didn't leave any greasy residue. As one tester noted, 'you didn't need to use much product, so the bottle would really last'.
Price: £12.00
Nail drops runner up
Mavala Oil Seal
Score: 84/100
The Mavala Oil Seal Dryer uses a small brush for product application, which allows you to apply the product cleanly without any mess around the cuticle. It claims to make your manicure touch-dry in seconds, and it also contains cotton oil to nourish cuticles. On average, the product took less than a minute to dry, and testers were quick to report a nice, glossy finish to their manicures. Testers praised this product for not having a strong fragrance, although they thought the drops left a slightly greasy residue on their dried nails.
Price: £13.00
Nail drops runner up
Essie Quick-E Drying Drops
Score: 82/100
The Essie Quick-E Drying Drops come with a glass dropper for application, which received mixed reviews from our testers –some thought it made the product very quick and easy to apply, while others found it lacked accuracy and was a bit messy during application. Testers reported that the fluid texture of the product made it easy to cover the whole nail, although some found it left an oily residue after use. This product did not have an overwhelming fragrance, which testers were happy with. On average, the drops took 1-2 minutes to dry, leaving a shiny, glossy result on our manicures. As one tester reported, ‘the results were quick to see and it gave an even finish, a little went a long way!
Price: £8.99
Nail Sprays Joint Winner
Leighton Denny Miracle Mist
Score: 77/100
This product scored highest for spray formats of the nail polish quick-drying products, and we aren't surprised! Testers found it simple and straightforward to use, and it dried nails within two minutes. Although some testers would've preferred a shinier finish, it doesn't leave a lot of residue unlike some of the other products.
Price: £12.00
Nail Sprays Joint Winner
Elegant Touch Rapid Dry for Nails
Score: 77/100
Testers were impressed with how fast this product dried their nails and they liked the fine mist. However, the canister is quite bulky and wouldn't be the best option for travel. It was the top scorer in our tests among the spray format of nail polish quick dryers, though. The majority of testers were happy with the product and said they would continue to use it.
Price: £2.91
Nail Sprays Joint Winner
OPI Rapidry Spray
Score: 77/100
This was the joint top-scorer in the quick-dry nail sprays, and testers enjoyed using this product. It comes in a handy spray format, but that it's a non-aerosol pump spray is what many testers praised. Additionally, unlike some of the other sprays it is quite a compact size so will be good for travel. Offering quick and easy precision without a lot of the mess, this product did well in the test.
Price: £13.50
A keen cosmetic scientist with a passion for colour cosmetics, skincare and haircare; who loves testing all things new, classic and on trend in the beauty industry!
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