10 ways to dry regular nail polish without a UV lamp

Traditional methods

There are a few more tricks that will help dry the varnish faster without using special tools:

• The painted nails are placed in a bowl of very cold water for five minutes. This way the varnish dries much faster;
• Place your painted nails under a stream of cold air, such as an air conditioner. The effect will be the same as that of a mini fan;
• Vegetable oil is sometimes used for drying. Freshly painted nails are lowered into them. The advantage of this method is that the nails and skin receive additional hydration.

Perhaps many women, having painted their nails, have encountered this situation: they need to do business or even leave the house, but the polish still does not dry, and even imprints on all surfaces that are worth touching. In fact, there is no need to wait until the coating dries; it is enough to know some secrets of a quick manicure that will help you save time and avoid disappointment.

The right manicure is the one in which it is applied correctly. First of all, it is necessary to degrease the nail plate and only then proceed to the coloring itself.

The thinner the layers of varnish are applied, the faster it will dry. Before moving on to the next layer, you need to wait until the previous one hardens a little.

For a manicure, you can initially choose a quick-acting coating, but for long nails this is not the best solution: the varnish begins to dry right on the brush, so this method is hardly suitable for those who do not have considerable dexterity. Most often, this varnish is used as a top coat, and it should be applied a couple of minutes after completing the manicure.

Having chosen thickened or low-quality varnish as a coating, you need to be prepared for the fact that the manicure will have to be redone: most likely, it will lie unevenly and will take a very long time to dry.

It must be remembered that light varnish dries faster than dark varnish. The consistency and presence of glitter are of great importance: a thick coating takes longer to dry than usual, and it will take considerable time to fix the varnish with glitter. Before starting a manicure, you should take these factors into account, then the time that will be spent on the beauty of your nails will be easier to calculate.

At home, cold water, olive oil, a fan or a hairdryer will help dry your nails faster. Now - in more detail about each of the “improvised” means.

• Water.
  Cold, almost icy water will significantly reduce the drying time of the coating. After filling a small bowl with it, you just need to immerse your hands for 5 minutes, then remove them from the water and leave the manicure to dry naturally.
• Fan
  . To quickly secure the coating, you need to bring your hands to the operating device. If there is no fan, a hairdryer is also suitable, which has a mode of not only hot, but also cold air. If you try to dry your nails with too warm a stream, the polish will quickly crack, become cloudy and become inexpressive.
• Olive oil
  . A good way to not only dry the polish, but also nourish your nails is to use olive oil, the beneficial properties of which are beyond doubt. To do this, you need to wait until the coating dries a little, and then lubricate each nail with a small amount of oil and leave for five minutes. After time, rinse with cool water.
• In addition, pre-chilled polish will help dry your nails faster.
  To do this, the bottle must be left in the refrigerator (for 30 minutes) or in the freezer (for 10 minutes). If you use this “radical” method, the varnish will not only dry faster, but will also lie more evenly.

Features of gel polish without drying in a lamp

Gel polish without drying in a lamp is a decorative coating that hardens on nails with the help of a special catalyst (it can be included in a kit or sold as an independent product unit). The catalyst can have a liquid or cream consistency; some manufacturers produce gel polishes that dry when exposed to water.

There are several similar varnishes on the market:

insensitive - dry exclusively naturally;

• aqueous – hardens only after contact with water;
• biogel - used strictly for health purposes and dries without drying in a lamp;
• Brigitte Bottier is a new product in the nail industry that hardens naturally.

Most often, gel polishes without drying in a lamp are hybrids - “3in1” or “2in1”, when the coating already contains hardeners.

Will it dry without a UV lamp?

Some gel polishes dry without a UV lamp, but the process will take quite a long period of time, and the durability of the coating is questionable - it is useless to expect a perfect manicure for 3 weeks.

Is it possible to do a shellac manicure without a lamp?

You can do a manicure without a lamp and with shellac, the process will proceed faster, because in this case it does not involve applying a base layer and a final one.

The only thing worth paying attention to is the instructions on the bottle with decorative coating

Some shellacs are produced only for use with subsequent drying in a lamp; there are options for hardening the layer in water or in air (under natural conditions). In the latter cases, the bottle must be marked “No lighte gel”.

Gel polish marked “No lighte gel”

Advantages of hybrids

Advantages of using hybrids that do not require drying in a lamp:

• The decorative coating is easy to apply evenly on the nail;
• there is no stage of sawing off the surface of the plate - the risk of injury and introduction of an infectious agent is minimal;
• there is no need to use a primer during the process, which negatively affects the condition of the nail;
• there is no harmful effect of ultraviolet rays on the nails and skin of the hands - they do not dry out;
• It only takes a few minutes for the decorative coating to harden;
• a wide range of color shades and effects, but mirror, matte, holographic and other coatings will take a little longer to dry than classic glossy ones;
• easy removal of gel polish - done with regular nail polish remover;
• Such gel polishes often contain nutritional components.

Gel polishes without lamp drying

The most important “plus” of the coating is that it can be applied at home independently and for this you do not need to purchase special equipment or complete professional training courses.

Flaws

Unfortunately, gel polishes without drying in a lamp also have individual disadvantages:

• if the varnish is of poor quality, the coating will be dull;
• Almost always such a gel must be applied in 2-3 layers, otherwise it will not lie evenly;
• the multilayer coating takes a long time to dry and still remains somewhat soft - physical impact leaves marks on it;
• if you use such a decorative coating, then over time the nail plate will become colored;
• the finished coating retains its flawlessness for a maximum of 7 days, and much less with active exposure to water and contact with aggressive liquids/powders.

Manufacturers introduce frankly toxic substances into the composition of such gel polishes - formaldehyde, resins, toluene, camphor of synthetic origin, dibutyl phthalate. All of them are dangerous to human health, so experts recommend choosing a product labeled “3-free” or “5-free”.

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Do I need to dry the top?

The top should be dried in a lamp - this is the recommendation given by all professionals. Otherwise, after 2-3 days it will be removed from the decorative coating with a thin film.

If a woman fundamentally does not want to use an ultraviolet or LED lamp in a manicure, or she does not have such equipment, then instead of a classic top coat, you should use a colorless regular varnish - it will simply add shine to the decorative coating.

Common mistakes

The problem of gel coating curling or shrinking is common among both professional and amateur artists. The reasons for these troubles can be very diverse.

Most often, insufficient power or the wrong type of lamp is to blame. If you buy another one, you may have the problem that the varnish for which it is intended will be removed from sale. Before purchasing a new fixture, check the gel coating label to ensure you know exactly what type of lamp is needed.

Another common cause is outdated light bulbs. The only way out here is to replace them.

UV lamps are not able to dry a thick layer of coating. The opposite reason is a very thin layer, which is very easy to dry out. Both the first and second options spoil the quality of the manicure.

If the above options can be excluded, the problem is the quality of the products used. It may be expired or not original. It is better to throw away such products. They can be hazardous to health.

The drying process for gel polish is simple and fast. By doing everything correctly, you can get the perfect manicure. Therefore, be sure to read the instructions included with gel products and drying devices.

In the next video, watch a review of gel polish lamps.

Gel polish at home without a lamp - application procedure

The list of items in the starter kit for gel polish without a lamp is minimal, since the work does not require either a base or top coat, or an ultraviolet lamp.

To work you will need:

• non-photosensitive gel polish,
• catalyst (it is better to take it in tubes),
• If the product is fixed with water, a catalyst will not be required.

Also, for a manicure you need a nail file, a polishing buffer, cuticle oil, and tweezers.

Operating procedure:

1. Prepare the nail plate for application. To do this, you need to give the nails the desired shape, remove or push back the cuticle.
2. Apply the gel to the nail plate. As a rule, the brush is quite comfortable; just a couple of movements are enough for application. This does not require filing down the nail plate itself.
3. Make sure that the product is easy to apply evenly, without streaks or cracks. The surface should be glossy and smooth. If necessary, apply another layer.
4. Apply the catalyst to the entire surface of the nail plate. Some catalysts are sold in the form of a spray; it must be distributed evenly without missing a single millimeter. If the fixative is in the form of varnish, then one drop is enough.
5. If water is needed to consolidate, hands are immersed in water and held for 5-10 minutes.

Now, knowing how to use gel polish without a lamp, you can safely do a manicure at home.

You may not get a beautiful manicure the first time, but as you gain experience, the procedure will become easier and shorter for you.

VIDEO

How long does the gel dry without a lamp and how safe is it?

The drying speed of varnishes can vary significantly between different manufacturers. If the coating dries under a UV lamp on average in two minutes, then non-photosensitive gel polishes have their own nuances.

Coatings that are fixed in water just need to be left in for 5-10 minutes and it will be completely fixed. A few ice cubes placed in a container of water will help speed up the process.

Varnishes with a catalyst dry quite quickly - usually only a few seconds are enough.

Fixers or top varnishes help speed up the drying process. They are recommended to be applied after completing the procedure in a couple of minutes to fix the top layer.

Many people are concerned about the safety of gel polishes, because they are a product of the chemical industry. Of course, to say that it is completely harmless would be disingenuous.

This is especially true for cheap products, which may include:

• toluene, which causes allergies, burns, headaches,
• formaldehyde, which can lead to poisoning of the body, dermatitis,
• dibutyl phthalate, which affects the endocrine system and respiratory organs.

High-quality gel polishes will not cause harm to health if you follow the application technology and follow the following recommendations:

• use gentle products to remove the coating,
• from time to time give the nail plates a “rest”,
• care for cuticles and maintain hygiene,
• When working around the house, use protective gloves, then the coating will last longer.

You should avoid a gel manicure if your nails are too thin. The coating can be dangerous for people prone to allergies.

Today, hundreds and thousands of stores are selling gel polishes, including on the Internet. Unfortunately, the risk of purchasing a low-quality fake is very high, so it is recommended to trust large stores.

After purchasing, do not forget to take the receipt, and if at home you have doubts about the quality of the product, you can always return it to the store. Do not use low-grade materials - do not skimp on your health.

What should you not do during a manicure?

1. Before applying nail polish, do not use creams or oils; first degrease your nails with nail polish remover.
2. If you experience any discomfort while using the drying lamp, do not continue to use it, neglecting your health.
3. Don't skip the base and top layers. With the help of a base layer it will be more convenient to apply the next one; it will smooth out unevenness and roughness. If you neglect the first layer of clear varnish, the nail plate may be stained. The finishing layer, in turn, will help the manicure last longer and add shine.
4. Don't use old nail polish. In varnish that has expired, the solvents in the composition evaporate, and therefore it is inconvenient to apply and almost impossible to dry.

Sprays

Modern technologies do not stand still; more and more new things are being invented to make life easier.
For example, you can purchase a special nail polish drying spray. It all seems like something fantastic, but such a thing really exists. First, colored varnish is applied to the nails, and then a spray is applied as a fixative. It is completely transparent, so it can be used for any manicure. After just 5 minutes, the varnish will be completely dry, and you don’t have to worry about its safety. This spray contains various moisturizing components that have a positive effect on the skin of the hands. But this product doesn’t add durability to your manicure, so you don’t need to place high hopes on it.

How to dry gel polish

Gel polish should be dried following several rules:

Each layer is polymerized. First, the base is applied by rubbing in, then with leveling, after which the hand is sent into the lamp for the first time. Next they apply a flower bed and also dry it. Then, for brightness, they paint with another layer and it is polymerized

A finishing coat is applied to the dry gel polish and dried. It is important to position your hand correctly for the polymerization process. To properly dry gel polish, the brush should lie flat, parallel to the table surface.

If it is turned on its side, the material will flow. The fingers should not be pressed together; the hand should be relaxed. The brush cannot be removed from the “oven” during the entire polymerization time. Otherwise, the process will be disrupted, the coating will dry unevenly, which is why detachments will appear later. You should dry your thumbnails with gel polish separately in a lamp. The hand is placed inside so that the plate is parallel to the tabletop. You should not put your thumb on its side, this is also fraught with the appearance of streaks and poor-quality polymerization.

All layers of gel polish must be dried until completely cured, maintaining the required time. When the material has cooled slightly, it is necessary to remove residual stickiness. Almost all flower beds have it, but this does not mean that the coating has not dried out.

Which lamp is better

Gel polish should be dried with a lamp suitable for this product, this can be understood from the information on the bottle. It is marked with:

• UV – ultraviolet device only;
• LED – an LED lamp should be used;
• UV/LED – the product dries under both types of radiation.

If there is no such marking on the bottle, it means that it can be polymerized in any device, including a hybrid type.

A lamp with new lamps with a power of 36-48 W dries gel polish better, regardless of the type. In this case, its real indicator corresponds to the nominal one, and it is impossible to make a mistake with the duration of the process and leave the layer of material wet. Such devices have several light sources, so the nails are evenly exposed. And their different parts dry out equally well.

Problems arise with 9 and 18 W devices. They require long-term polymerization, but even if the curing time is observed, the product may not dry out in deep layers. This is caused not only by insufficient power, but also by a small number of radiation sources.

Gel polish dries quickly with an LED or hybrid lamp with a power of 36-48 W. In addition, this type of lamp lasts longer during active use. The LEDs have the same qualities, working together for 50 thousand hours. And ultraviolet lamps can maintain the brightness as at the beginning of operation, but their power decreases after 2-3 months of active use.

If without a lamp at home

It is possible to polymerize gel polish without a lamp at home using improvised means, but you should not count on a good quality manicure:

• Use ice baths. Dip your fingertips into a bowl with water and pieces of ice and hold for up to 10-15 minutes. The cold will harden the coating, but your hands will also get very cold.
• First place the bottle with the product in the refrigerator. After this, it is applied to the nails. Gel polish thickens significantly, which is why it dries faster. But it can lie on the plates in lumps.
• Special catalysts are used. This is an ointment, spray or gel that is applied over the flower bed. Catalysts are produced by different companies.
• With the help of the sun's rays. You can dry gel polishes by going outside, but not in the shade. After all, the sun's rays are also ultraviolet. But the procedure will take much longer, and you cannot vouch for the longevity of the manicure.
• Using a medical lamp with blue radiation (Minin reflector). It emits infrared rays, not ultraviolet, so the polymerization procedure will also be long. And the quality of drying will leave much to be desired.

Some people recommend using a hairdryer or fan to harden the coating. But these are the least reliable methods. The flow of warm air will cause gel polish to ripple rather than dry.

Selection rules

Deciding on the type of lamp is not enough. Each type of lamp has its own characteristics, which require study before purchasing the equipment. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to these technical specifications.

• Drying speed. This criterion completely depends on the type of lamp. UV lamps are practical and versatile, but require a lot of time to dry each layer of coating. Drying in LED and hybrid options is much faster. The main difference is in the types of coatings that can be worked with when using them.
• Power is the next factor influencing drying time and coating quality. The more powerful the manicure technique, the faster the drying process occurs. The cost of the device is directly proportional to its power. As power increases, so does the price. For UV lamps, the minimum recommended power is 24 Watts, for LED lamps – 12 Watts.
• Cost is a characteristic that depends on all technical properties. LED lamps are slightly more expensive than UV lamps. Hybrid options are the most expensive. You should know that a high price does not always guarantee excellent quality. Many budget options are in no way inferior to expensive models. The main thing is to take into account the required power. A miniature LED lamp is ideal for home manicure.

• The size of the manicure equipment also affects comfort and drying time. On the modern market you can find devices that allow you to dry your entire hand at once. But even miniature analogues cope with this perfectly, albeit over a longer period of time. It's all about the number of lamps or LEDs that fit in the device. The larger the size of the device, the greater the number of light elements. Typically, UV lamps have standard sizes, only the number of lamps changes. There are super small options designed to dry only one finger. They are best used for precision repairs rather than full-finger manicures. Otherwise, the procedure time will increase tenfold.
• Life time. LED lamps will last at least two years, but UV devices are more durable in use. Manufacturers guarantee 100,000 hours of use. However, lamps must be changed every six months, regardless of frequency of use.
• Design is a characteristic that does not in any way affect the quality characteristics of the devices.

This is a personal choice of each buyer, who will be guided by his taste and wishes.

List of materials for shellac at home for beginners

When applying shellac to your nails yourself at home, you need to buy all the necessary products for the procedure and special equipment for beginners. It is not advisable to save on materials, since the safety of the “native” nail plates and the durability of the manicure depend on their quality. Therefore, whether gel polish is harmful or not depends only on the quality of your materials.

The list of purchases necessary for such a manicure includes:

• base;
• fixative;
• top;
• colored gel polish;
• primer (degreaser);
• cuticle softening oil;
• means for removing cuticles and sticky residue on the coating;
• files of varying degrees of abrasiveness, buff, tweezers;
• cuticle remover tools;
• drying lamp.

Delicate texture, natural radiance - Maybelline cream highlighter.

Applying varnish for faster drying

Every girl has experienced the fact that after a long time of creating a manicure, one awkward movement ruins the whole look. No one is immune from this problem, so it is worthwhile to correctly perform the varnish application technique, which will reduce the drying period of the varnish coating.

• The first step is to prepare all the necessary tools and equipment so that you don’t have to do this later with painted nails.
• Nail plates and cuticles are carefully processed. The old decorative layer is removed from the nail, and the cuticles are also removed.
• Ten minutes before applying nail polish, put the product in the refrigerator. After all, the special coating in a cold state will harden much faster at positive degrees.
• Before painting, you should degrease your nails; for this you can use nail polish remover or alcohol, they can dry out the nail plate.
• It is not recommended to apply more than two layers of varnish. This manicure will look sloppy.
• If you decide to do several layers, then you should maintain a time interval of 3 minutes before each application.
• When finished, use a quick-drying special product.

These manipulations are necessary so that the manicure is ready in the near future. But there are also prohibited actions that you should not do:

• Before manicure, apply rich hand cream;
• do a manicure without removing the old decorating layer;
• paint nails that have not been previously degreased.

Fan drying

To make the nail painting process more enjoyable, you should acquire one very interesting device. In specialized stores you can buy mini fans that are designed specifically for drying varnish. This device is very simple, it is powered from an outlet or from batteries.

Most often, such fans are designed for only one hand, but in stores you can find devices in which you can dry two at once. This little thing is inexpensive, so your costs will be minimal.

Professional coatings for quick drying

Almost all well-known brands that produce nail accessories and cosmetics produce special drying coatings. Among them the most popular are:

Drying varnish “Smart enamel”

• Top dryer Secn dry (Orly) – suitable for manicure, pedicure, available in the form of varnish with a brush
• Super-drying from “Smart Enamel” – dries the coating in 2-3 minutes
• Drying Complete from Sally Hansen - costs more than Smart Enamel, but works great
• Quick dry spray (Avon) gives an elegant shine, the varnish dries with it in about 5 minutes
• Top dryer Instant Dry (Chatte Noire) – one of the best dryers, makes manicure comfortable and fast
• Drip drying Flash Dry (Orly) dries the varnish and gives a flawless shine to the coating

To make a manicure faster, which is important for most women, simple home remedies will help - oil, cold, fan. But it’s safer to buy a good cosmetic product—drying agent—and use it for a long time and with greater convenience.

The best manufacturers

Which gel polish without a lamp to choose for your manicure? How to simplify the creation of nail designs so that the process does not take much time? For you, we have collected the most popular brands from which you can choose the best.

Pupa "lasting color gel"

The product has good properties, and also has a beautiful bottle and a convenient cap. Creates an attractive glossy nail surface in just a few touches. The varnish lasts up to 1 week without chipping or cracking.

El Corazon

A popular brand that has won the hearts of many nail artists and home users. The product contains many herbal and natural ingredients that nourish the nails with beneficial elements. Of the minuses, it should be noted that the varnish contains dangerous formaldehyde. The product lasts about 1-2 weeks.

Limoni

The inexpensive price of the bottle will appeal to many girls. The Limoni brand offers a huge palette of shades for every taste, which can be chosen to suit absolutely any look. The varnish lasts for 10-14 days, but maybe longer.

Brigitte bottier

The famous brand offers a huge palette of colors. The product fits perfectly on the nails and forms a glossy surface on the nails. A professional round-shaped brush will create an incredible radiant coating in 1-2 strokes. It lasts for 14 days.

CND Vinylux

It is extremely popular among girls. An excellent nail polish that is widely used in home and professional use. Just before applying the product, you need to thoroughly degrease the nail plate, and only then apply colored gel polish.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Color

Color coating that remains durable for 2 weeks. It must be applied in 2 layers, and then just wait 5-10 minutes until it dries completely. In addition to basic shades, the manufacturer often produces limited collections, which are quite difficult to find on sale.

OPI Infinite Shine Gel Effects Lacquer System

The three-stage system consists of a base, colored gel polish and top coat. Additional products adhere materials well to nails and combat the appearance of stains on nails. For a durable coating that lasts 7-10 days, it is enough to apply 2 layers of gel polish. The palette includes about 30 colors.

Pupa Lasting Color Gel

This glass effect gel polish does not require a base or top coat. But colored gel polish is applied in 1-2 layers. Thanks to it, nails become voluminous and acquire an original mirror shine. The manufacturer offers more than 100 different shades.

Isadora Gel Nail Lacquer

This gel polish without a lamp is absolutely safe for health, as it does not contain harmful components. The coating must be applied in 2 layers, and it dries within 3-5 minutes. You can remove the product using nail polish remover that does not contain acetone. There are 13 shades available in the palette.

NailLOOK like GEL

The varnish contains 80% useful components, it has about. To achieve a wet gloss effect, it is enough to apply only 2 layers, which will then be covered with a gel top. The varnish lasts up to 2 weeks, and the palette includes 21 shades.

Rimmel London Super Gel

You don't need to use a base coat to use this gel polish without a lamp. All you need is 2 layers and a sealer to make your nails shine in a special way. The product lasts 12-14 days, but sometimes it can please a girl much longer. The varnish does not wear off and protects the plates from mechanical damage.

Lumene gel effect nail polish

The varnish contains no harmful ingredients. The varnish is very ultra-resistant and gives the nails a special gel effect. The product lasts on the nails for about a week. When creating a manicure, you do not need to apply a base or top coat. The palette includes about 70 shades.

Avon "Gel effect"

A budget varnish with a gel coating effect does not require the application of a base and top coat. The product contains useful components that prevent peeling and brittleness of nails. The palette contains 16 shades. The product lasts for 7-10 days.

How long to keep

For home use, you can purchase a UV lamp with a small output of 9 watts; the drying time in this case will take 6-10 minutes. For professional use, you will need a 36 W UV device that will dry your nails in 2 minutes. Lamps with a power of 48 W and above are intended exclusively for use in beauty salons by professional professionals.

LED equipment is small in size, which is very convenient, and unlike a UV lamp, it does not heat up during operation. Moreover, the service life of LED lamps reaches 5 years on average, which is very economical in operation.

The main advantage of a UV device is its ability to dry any shellac, which an LED lamp cannot boast of.

A hybrid lamp can provide a short drying time - only 30 seconds. Such a device is suitable for drying absolutely any material: gel polish, colored LED coating, biogel.

It is worth noting that gel polish must be dried correctly - if it is not dried, the coating will be fragile and will quickly crack, peel off, in a word, become unusable. And most importantly, if you overdry the gel polish, nothing will happen. The product simply polymerizes and that’s it. No metamorphosis will happen to him. Take this into account when creating your ideal manicure.

Sometimes in the work of a nail artist or amateur, unforeseen difficulties with the quality of the coating may occur - the gel polish bubbles, wrinkles, and collects. Let's find out what to do in such cases and how to avoid them.

Lamps

A very important tool in the shellac manicure process is a lamp. There are two types of lamps - UV lamps, which operate on ultraviolet radiation, and LED lamps, which convert electricity into light radiation. Before saying how long to dry shellac in a lamp, it is necessary to consider how UV and Ice lamps differ from each other.

Shellac lamp