Delightful Discoveries for Gift Givers with Great Taste
Nails.INC has added to their much-loved 45 Second Speedy Gloss polish line.
I thought that as I got older, the pace of my daily life would ease up a little. But if anything, I feel like I have to squeeze even more into every 24 hours. For this reason, trips to the nail salon are now reserved for special occasions. I love wearing nail polish, though, so I try to do my nails at home semi-often.
If you’ve ever walked around for 20 minutes, alternately shaking your hands and gingerly sticking them in the freezer thinking of what else you could be doing, you know drying time is somehow more annoying at home than at a salon.
I, needless to say then, eager to try Better On Top Quick Drying Top Coat, a new launch from Nails.INC London. It promised to be “touch dry” in 45 seconds. I gave it a go on top of two coats of a polish from their earlier line, 45 Second Speedy Gloss. (More on that later.)
I applied Better on Top Quick Drying Top Coat to my left pinky, then set my phone timer to 45 seconds. Dare I hope? At 45 seconds, I did a scientific test to assess the accuracy of the dry-time claim: I oh-so-lightly tapped my left pinky with my right forefinger.
No mark. But that said, it felt slightly, enough that I wouldn’t call it dry in a practical sense. So I set my phone for an additional 30 seconds. And then! It was honest-to-goodness dry (and nice and shiny, as an aside.) Let’s say it took 15 seconds to establish my pinky was still tacky and reset my phone. We’re coming in at a minute and 30 seconds to being able to use your phone or your laptop. I mean, I wouldn’t jam your hands in your back jeans pockets or rummage around in the kitchen junk drawer, but most everything else, for sure. I did my experiment at night, and afterwards brushed my teeth and washed my face. My nails were still perfect. So even though it wasn’t 45 seconds for me, I’m still thrilled. As you no doubt know, 90 seconds to fully functioning after a mani is unheard of.
It’s worth noting that this top coat contains blueberry extract and peptides, and, according to the brand, “helps to nourish and hydrate for 100 percent instantly glossier and healthier looking nails.” I’m unsure how that good stuff gets into your nails when this top coat is being applied over other polish, but no matter. If you’re into reaping healthy-nails benefits, just go with this top coat on its own. A glassy natural nail is chic and easy as can be. Just swipe it on, and a minute and a half later, you’re good to go.
Obviously, a top coat that dries amazingly fast doesn’t do all that much good if the polish underneath it doesn’t. Two years ago, Nails.INC came out with 45 Second Speedy Gloss, a 20-shade collection of nail enamel. I’ve been using Keeping it Real in Kensington, a soft, shimmery pink-silver shade, for at least a year. I bought that pretty polish because I thought it would go with everything, from casual work outfits to formal wear, and be goof-proof in a way more dramatic colors are not. It has not disappointed, and in fact, delivered an added bonus: Chips are way less noticeable than with the dark colors I gravitated toward. The 45-second thing was just a bonus. So full disclosure: I never formally checked the drying time like I just did with the new top coat. But I can tell you this for sure: By the time I finish one coat on both hands, which goes fast because the shade doesn’t require painstaking precision, it’s always been dry enough that I can immediately start the second coat.
While you can’t scrub your tub precisely 45 seconds after sealing in your manicure with this top coat, you can do a whole lot. If you like doing your nails, but always seem to wind up with a nick or smudge no matter how careful you think you’re being, this top coat will turn things around, and is well worth 9 bucks.
