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How to Check to See If Nail Polish Is Dry

Jan 25, 2012 / By Lydia King

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Remove excess oil from nails before you polish them.

Photo: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images

When you're having a bad day, painting your nails in your favorite color can be a quick and easy "pick-me-up." Your "pick-me-up" can turn into a downer, however, if you smudge your nails before they dry and have to start all over again. To get your manicure perfect the first time, you'll need to be patient. Set aside half an hour to make sure that your nails are completely dry before you get back to your regular routine.

Apply base coat polish to the nails on one hand, and then wait two or three minutes. Gently tap one of your polished nails to make sure that the base coat is dry. When the nails on one hand are dry, apply a coat of polish to nails on the other hand. Wait for about three minutes for the base coat to dry.

Paint each nail on one hand with a coat of nail polish. Carefully tap the tip of the nail on the middle finger of your hand. If the polish does not smudge, tap the nails of each finger beginning with the nail you painted first. When all nails are dry, paint the nails on the other hand. Paint each nail with a second coat of polish. If you want a more intense color, paint each nail with a third coat. Test each coat of polish by tapping your nails to make sure each coat is dry before you add the next coat.

Brush a thin layer of topcoat polish to seal and protect your manicure. Wait five minutes. Gently tap the nails on your middle fingers to see if the topcoat is dry. If the polish feels smooth and dry, tap each finger on both hands. Then gently tap the nails on each hand together. If you don't see any smudges or dents, your manicure is complete.

1.Base coat

3.Topcoat

2.Nail polish

To make your manicure dry faster you can use nail polish dryer, hair spray or dip your nails in a bowl of ice water. Fast-dry nail polish or topcoat can also help to set your manicure faster.