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Original poster

Tell me how best to dry your nails to avoid smudging. .. best nail polish?

31 replies

chasingtherainbow · 29/01/2015 13:51

I'm SO fed up with spending ages doing my nails then having them smudge/fabric imprint etc .. when I think they're completely dry. How do I dry them reasonably quickly but solidly?

Also best brand of polish? ... I've been doing my own gels for ages so used to having perfectly polished nails but it's making them weak so they need a break.

OP posts:
Nabootique · 29/01/2015 14:28

I wait until mine are partially dry and then dunk them in ice cold water for a few minutes. Works a treat!

For brands I love Barry M Gelly, Asda George ones (really!) and Miss Sporty. The last two are so cheap and with a top coat I can get 5 days chip free out of them.

maybemyrtle · 29/01/2015 15:48

Don't know how you're applying polish but generally, 3-4 thin layers will dry faster and smudge less than 1-2 thick ones. Seche Vite topcoat, or Sally Hansen InstaDry in the red bottle, however is what you really need.

Original poster
chasingtherainbow · 29/01/2015 15:52

Nabootique- love the name! Ice water hey! Interesting. Will definitely give a whirl.

Thanks myrtle will grab some! It's possible I do two thicker layers - I love that glossy look and get a bit annoyed if I can see paint brushes stroke marks.

OP posts:
maybemyrtle · 29/01/2015 15:55

The Seche Vite will sort out any brushmarks and leave them super glossy :)

ZenNudist · 29/01/2015 15:56

Nabootique I just got some barryM gelly in pomegranate which is lovely but despite using base and top coat and leaving to dry for ages between coats it only lasted 2 days! I don't have much luck as most of my manicures don't last. Even gel flicks off after a week Hmm

I do like the texture of the gelly and although I used two coats I think one would do. I am considering if I should just über quick base & single coat more often.

I like barry M, OPI and rimmel 60 seconds for the fat brush. Using Jessica brilliance for top coat and a Sally Hansen brittle nail treatment as base. Looking forward to nail envy arriving soon along with some new opi top and base coats.

NeopreneMermaid · 29/01/2015 16:03

YY to the George at Asda ones - dry in a minute and only need one coat.

Rimmel 60 seconds is great too.

RosyAuroch · 29/01/2015 17:49

Thin layers and I really like vinylux polishes. The top coat is really glossy and sets in 4 minutes.

ireallydontlikemonday · 29/01/2015 18:23

Rimmel 60 seconds is brilliant

stripytees · 29/01/2015 18:48

A fast dry top coat is essential! I'm currently using the Nails Inc one.

WhatEverZen · 30/01/2015 21:15

A top layer of seche vite after 5-10 minuts of the polish. Dries very quickly

FredZeppelin · 30/01/2015 21:31

Anyone know if Seche Vite is better than the No.7 top coat?
(Sorry to hijack OP)

PorkyMinch · 30/01/2015 21:35

I love Mavala. I won't buy any other make because nothing else is as good.

Cheap, too!

itsbetterthanabox · 30/01/2015 21:54

Any polish. Apply in thin coats. Then top with seche vite or Sally Hansen insta dri topcoat. A drop of cuticle oil also protects. They'll be touch dry in a minute and solid in 10-15

violetbunny · 31/01/2015 03:05

I use the Sensationail gel system from Boots. No more smudging, just set under a UV lamp and it's done. I always seem to smudge normal polish so this system has changed my life!

Original poster
chasingtherainbow · 31/01/2015 08:26

Violet are you using acetone to take it off? I've been doing my gel for 6 months now and my nails need a break

OP posts:
MuttonCadet · 31/01/2015 08:29

Don't bother with expensives like Chanel, it's the worst nail varnish I've ever used (but they lead with fashion colours).

BillStickersIsInnocent · 31/01/2015 08:31

I really like Chanel, it lasts fine with a top coat of Sally Hansen as mentioned above.

I also like Essie and Opi. Nails inc is ok too, but I find I need three coats with that.

Everythingsgonegreen · 31/01/2015 15:27

Mavala -top quality lovely shades and dinky little brush makes application easier.

Lasts ages- two thin coats.

MuttonCadet · 31/01/2015 15:35

I popped some Chanel on top of my gel polish yesterday and it's chipped already - total waste of money Angry

Westendgal · 31/01/2015 15:52

Seche vite all the way.

MuttonCadet · 31/01/2015 16:00

Do you reckon I could add a non gel between the base and topcoat and use the sensationail kit?

(Trying to think of ways of using my other polishes)

Armpitt · 31/01/2015 16:01

barry M jelly is not only shiny but long lasting and fat drying

Armpitt · 31/01/2015 16:01

Chanel is well known to look nice but not last at all

Lauramum23 · 31/01/2015 16:01

Seche Vite top coat is good but so is Sally Hansen speed dry, orly, Essie, opi are good polishes also by putting a glitter top coat helps to keep nail polish longer. It takes hours for it to dry solid (8 hours!) obviously we don't have that amount of time so a speed top coat is the best answer! My nails are shocking since taking the gel off!

Trumpton · 31/01/2015 16:09

MuttonCadet
That is exactly what I do. Base / cure
Polish x 2
Top coat / cure.