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Byrdie / David Hattan
Let’s be honest: visiting the nail salon is just one way to get top-tier nails. There’s no question that salons yield great results, but many of us are in need of alternatives that feel a bit more realistic.
With the time it takes to commute to the salon, sit there and wonder if you should attempt to listen to a podcast but ultimately decide not to because you don’t want to do the awkward dance of removing your AirPods without smudging if someone talks to you, and make it all the way home without accidentally chipping a nail, it’s no wonder many of us are ready to speed up this process.
So, in the spirit of saving time (and money!), we’ve made it our mission to find the best quick-dry polishes available on the market. Surprisingly, the results haven't been disappointing. With hydrating ingredients and different packaging options, not only do these polishes boast a variety of flattering shades and other perks, but they also dry super fast, getting us polished, sealed, and delivered out the door in about 10 minutes flat.
You may be wondering: How can a polish dry that quick? Well, according to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, these products contain a higher amount of solvents like ethyl acetate or butyl acetate. The solvents evaporating are what causes the nail polish to dry, so the more the polish has, the quicker it can set.
After consulting King to learn even more and conducting hours of product research (from evaluating ingredients to sifting through reviews), we landed on these top-rated quick-dry nail polishes for DIY manicures that won’t have you missing the salon.
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Wide shade range
Comes in several glitter shades
Brush makes application easy
Can chip
Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri formula is already legendary, boasting both an impressive color range and easy accessibility (just pop into any drugstore). It has a built-in base and topcoat, which is excellent for manis in a rush. "If you are concerned about time, there are some 3-in-1 formulas that work well," says Kelly Hanna Thompson, a freelance nail artist and former manager of Paintbox in New York City. Tack on a mere 60-second dry time, and there's no reason there shouldn't be one bottle (or five) in every nail enthusiast's lineup.
Shades: 49 | Size: 0.3 fl oz | Finish: Shine, glitter
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Resists chipping
Bright, fun shades
Goes on smoothly
Strong odor
No, this isn't the cheapest on the list. But it's our best-budget pick because it's a great price, all while specifically formulated to rival professional-level enamels. This quick-dry polish from China Glaze boasts a strategic blend of polymers and resins for a worry-free result that won't chip, fade, or dull. Plus, this formula will never get thick or gloopy in the bottle, which will speed up dry time. "When polishing with a quick-dry polish, avoid applying too many coats. It’s actually quicker to remove too thick of an application and start over with a thinner coat," says Michelle Saunders James, owner and founder of Saunders and James Nail Care and the brand's salon in Oakland, CA.
Shades: 35 | Size: 0.5 fl oz | Finish: Shine, glitter
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Angled brush makes application easy
Soft, pretty colors
Super shiny finish
Can chip
Another long-time drugstore staple (and our favorite convenient grab), Essie is beloved the world over—the shade "Ballet Slippers" is the only color the Queen of England will wear. Expressie, their quick-dry line, introduces a uniquely shaped, angled brush to make painting faster and easier, even when you're using your non-dominant hand. "A wide, flat brush will give you an even application with fewer strokes, but a round brush is better if your nail plate is smaller," says Rebecca Isa, creative director at Zoya Nail Polish. Get the best of both worlds with this product.
Shades: 40 | Size: 0.3 fl oz | Finish: Shine
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Free of common polish ingredients
No strong odor
Looks good in thin coats
Not a huge range of colors
The founder of Suite Eleven started this line after having to toss almost all her beauty products after she discovered she had several chemical allergies. The result is a fast-drying formula that's "10-free"—it contains none of the harmful chemicals that exist in more old-school polish formulas. If the smell of nail polish is quick to give you a headache, this purist option might be for you.
Shades: 15 | Size: 0.5 fl oz | Finish: Shine
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Strengthening formula
Unique, glittery shades
Cap is easy to open
Shades can differ slightly in person
The only thing better than a no-fuss formula is a polish that makes your nails better while you wear it. Orly's Breathable Treatment+Color line contains argan oil and vitamins B5 and C meant to add nutrition and hydration to brittle tips, and advanced oxygen technology keeps application quick but wearability long, according to the brand. Plus, we dare you to name a place or time this beautiful rose gold shade wouldn't work.
Shades: 18 | Size: 0.6 fl oz | Finish: Shine, glitter
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Dries extremely quickly
Easy to apply
Super shiny finish
Can chip or fade
Okay, so you're running late. Really late. Like only 45 seconds to do your nails late. Impossible? Not anymore. Nails, Inc.'s Speedy Gloss line will get you out the door fast. The color range is a tightly edited selection of versatile shades that can work everywhere.
Shades: 3 | Size: 0.5 fl oz. | Finish: Shine, glitter
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Resists fading and chipping
Rich, glossy finish
Wide range of chic shades
Non-returnable
JINsoon polishes only need two coats for total color saturation, and the formula includes a built-in UV filter to prevent the pigment from fading or turning yellow. It's excellent news for on-the-go manicures and choosing a color. "Sometimes it helps, when choosing a color, to wear dark opaques or light sheers for the best coverage and fastest drying times," says Saunders James.
Shades: 90 | Size: 0.3 fl oz. | Finish: Shine, glitter
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Strengthening formula
Super shiny finish
Pretty shades
Can fade
Yes, this is a mouthful of a name, but hold on. Although this fast-drying option from Butter London is one of the list's spendier options, it's also one of the most covetable. Its shock-resistant polymers fight chipping; it has diamond powder for the most brilliant shine and bamboo extract meant to strengthen the nail. Your nails certainly won't look rushed with this formula.
Shades: 32 | Size: 0.4 fl oz | Finish: Shine
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Sheer
Free of common polish ingredients
Works quickly
Sheer polish is not as versatile
One of the best methods for a polished mani, when you're pressed for time, is to go for the slightest whisper of color instead of a bright, bold hue. The Zoya Naked Manicure Perfectors are for just that purpose. They offer a sheer wash of color: enough to hide any discoloration or texture, but not so much that your cuticles are suddenly purple with no time for clean up.
Shades: 1 | Size: 0.5 fl oz | Finish: Sheer
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Mirror-like shine
No smudging
Fan brush
Slightly thicker formula
Olive & June has quickly become a mainstay in the nail industry since introducing their at-home system and polishes in 2019—their brand fans are incredibly loyal and sing the praises of the polishes from this female-founded company. Not only do they have plenty of beautiful shades of their non-toxic polishes, which many customers raved about in the reviews, but the sleek rounded bottles feel very luxe and like you’re still getting a main character moment even if you’re short on time.
Shades: 48 | Size: 0.46 fl oz | Finish: Shine
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Rich color
Cruelty-free
Affordable
Shades can differ slightly in person
Wet N Wild is known for affordable drugstore makeup products, but don’t sleep on their nail offerings. The Fast Dry AF Nail Polish boasts a 40-second dry time with a built-in base coat and their shade offerings cover all of the basics—from black and white to neutrals to brighter options if you’re in the mood for color, this polish is for anyone who wants to test quick-dry nail polish for the cost of an almond milk latte.
Shades: 15 | Size: 0.46 fl oz | Finish: Shine
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Over 100 shades
Vegan and cruelty-free
Long-lasting
Only available on their website
Have you ever fallen in love with a product and been so obsessed that you want to buy it in every color it comes in? Well you might need to be more discerning with this next pick, because the Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer is available in 100 shades from neutrals to brights. Plus, this formula is made with ingredients like apricot (which nourishes and strengthens) and hydrating marula oil.
Shades: 100 | Size: 0.4 fl oz | Finish: Shine
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Professional quality
Impressive shade range
Sustainable packaging
Can fade
Manucurist may be best-known for helping us bring the salon to our homes with their UV Lamps and LED Polishes, but they also understand that not everyone is willing to go that extra mile. For that they offer an option that air dries and dries quickly—the Manucurist Green Nail Polish range. Manucurist polishes are also vegan, cruelty-free and made with sustainable packaging—which they break down how to recycle on their website.
Shades: 90 | Size: 0.5 fl oz | Finish: Shine, metallic
Where We Stand
Overall, our favorite quick-dry nail polish is the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color because of its built-in base and topcoat and its impressive 60-second dry time. We also love Wet N Wild Fast Dry AF Nail Polish or the China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners if you want to try these formulas on a budget. For the ingredient conscious polisher, we recommend the Olive & June Quick Dry Nail Polish and the Suite Seven Nail Lacquer.
What to Look For in a Quick-Dry Nail Polish
- Color range: Nail polish is too much fun to play with to stick with the same tone every time. Whether you prefer classic neutrals and pinks, or trendy pops of colors on your nails, find a quick-drying polish with a wide shade range so you'll have lots of variety at your fingertips. With many brands hopping on the quick-dry bandwagon, you won't have to look hard to find an impressive array of stunning shades for every occasion. (Our JINsoon pick offers 90 colorways!)
- Ingredients: Some quick-dry nail polishes also come with the same built-in benefits as a nail treatment, plus color. Look for formulations that are meant to address nail concerns like weak, brittle nails or ones that include UV protection to address fading. And in the same vein, if you're conscious of which cosmetics you use, look for companies that omit the harmful chemicals of yesterday's nail polish. Especially if you're sensitive to the smell of nail polish, choosing a conscious formulation free of common offenders can provide some relief while you paint. (We awarded Olive & June our best non-toxic pick.)
- Applicator brush: Not all nail polish brushes were created equal. Choosing a product with an angled brush or one with a larger surface area can make it easier to get a chip-free manicure or pedicure. Take a look at the shape of the brush too, as there are pros and cons to both round and flat brushes. Using the right brush can help you save even more time when polishing your nails.
- Cost: Price isn't always an indicator of quality, but when it comes to quick-dry polishes, it can be an indicator of how good the formula is. "Price can give you an idea of how quality the pigment and plasticizers (for flexibility) are since they cost more," says Thompson. These are other components of quick-dry polish to take into consideration.
Why Trust Byrdie
Austen Tosone is a beauty and fashion writer and content creator. She has been caught applying nail polish mere minutes before needing to run out the door to brand events and work meetings, so she knows the power of a quick-dry formula. For this story she consulted with an expert:
- Ginger King, aka The Beauty Shark, is a cosmetic chemist who has helped develop hundreds of beauty products and has served as a judge for Allure’s Beauty Awards
- Kelly Hanna Thompson, a freelance nail artist and former manager of Paintbox in New York City.
- Michelle Saunders James, owner and founder of Saunders and James Nail Care and the brand's salon in Oakland, CA.
- Rebecca Isa, the creative director at Zoya Nail Polish.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough quick-dry nail polishes from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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