Sally Hansen Insta Dri is a fast drying clear nail polish that is designed to dry nails quickly. It can be used in a variety of ways to help speed up manicures and pedicures. Here is an overview of what Sally Hansen Insta Dri is used for:
Speeding Up Regular Nail Polish
One of the main uses for Sally Hansen Insta Dri is to speed up the drying time of regular nail polishes. After applying color to the nails, a top coat of Insta Dri can be used to help seal in the color and dry it faster. This prevents smudges and smears and allows you to get on with your day without waiting for nail polish to dry. Using Insta Dri as a top coat can cut regular nail polish drying time in half.
Quick Manicures and Pedicures
Sally Hansen Insta Dri can be used when you need to do a quick manicure or pedicure. If you are short on time and need polished nails, apply a base coat, follow with Insta Dri as the color, and finish with a top coat of Insta Dri. This can provide a fast, polished look that is dry in minutes.
Fixing Smudges and Smears
If you smudge a nail before polish has fully dried, Sally Hansen Insta Dri can fix it. Just apply a little over the smudged area and it will instantly dry to smooth out the polish. Insta Dri helps lock in color so you don’t have to start your manicure over.
Making Nail Art
The quick dry formula of Sally Hansen Insta Dri makes it perfect for nail art. Quickly apply polka dots, stripes, or designs without worrying about smudging. Let each layer dry in between for the best results. The Insta Dri helps keep your artwork looking clean.
Dry Accent Nails
Using Insta Dri as an accent nail polish is a cute idea. Do your normal manicure on most nails, then paint one or two accent nails with Insta Dri for a quick pop of color. The accent nails will dry fast so you don’t have to sit with your hands splayed open waiting for everything to dry.
Drying Nails Before Applying Acrylics or Gels
Before getting acrylics or a gel manicure, you need to start with clean, dry nails. Brush on a layer of Sally Hansen Insta Dri first and it will quickly dry out any oils or moisture on the nails. This helps the acrylic and gel polish adhere better for long lasting nails.
Making Nails Stronger
Frequent use of Sally Hansen Insta Dri can help strengthen nails. The quick dry formula helps seal the nail and prevent chipping and peeling. Using it as a base coat under polish and as a top coat to seal everything in can help damaged or weak nails become strong and healthy.
Taking Off Gel and Acrylic Nails
After removing gel manicures or acrylics, nails are often left thin and fragile. Using Sally Hansen Insta Dri after taking off artificial nails can help harden and strengthen the nails. The quick dry formula seals in moisture and protects the nails.
Dry Time Comparisons
| Nail Polish Type | Dry Time |
|---|---|
| Regular nail polish | 30-60 minutes |
| Regular nail polish + Insta Dri top coat | 15 minutes |
| Gel manicure | 30-60 seconds under UV lamp |
| Sally Hansen Insta Dri | 60-90 seconds |
As you can see, Insta Dri dries polish significantly faster than regular nail polish alone. It dries quick almost as fast as a gel manicure.
How Does Sally Hansen Insta Dri Work?
Sally Hansen Insta Dri is formulated with a quick dry agent that evaporates solvents rapidly. Solvents are what allow nail polish to stay liquid and spread evenly onto nails. When the solvents evaporate, the polish solidifies and dries on the nails.
Insta Dri contains fast evaporating solvents so the time between polish application and drying is shortened. It also deposits a high solid content on the nails so that less drying needs to happen for the polish to become dry to the touch.
Tips for Using Sally Hansen Insta Dri
Here are some tips for using Sally Hansen Insta Dri effectively:
- Apply in very thin coats so it dries quickly. Thick coats take longer to dry.
- Make sure nails are clean before applying for best results.
- Don’t apply too close to the cuticles to avoid getting polish on the skin.
- Apply two thin coats for longer lasting effects.
- Recap the bottle tightly after use to prevent thickening of the formula.
- Apply a clear top coat like Seche Vite after Insta Dri for a glossy finish.
- Use Insta Dri as a top coat over nail art or decals to seal in the design.
Pros and Cons of Sally Hansen Insta Dri
Pros:
- Dries extremely fast – in about 60-90 seconds
- Prevents smudges and smears
- Allows you to get on with tasks right after painting nails
- Great for nail art so you can layer polish without smudging
- Strengthens nails with repeated use
- Affordable price point
Cons:
- Can get thick and goopy if left open too long
- Doesn’t last as long as regular nail polish, may chip quicker
- Formula is thin and runny
- Not as glossy as regular top coats
- May require more coats for opacity
Conclusion
Sally Hansen Insta Dri offers a quick solution for fast drying nails. It can be used as a base coat, color, and top coat to speed up manicures. The fast drying formula helps fix smudges, makes quick nail art, and allows you to get on with your day in minutes. While not perfect, it does provide reliable quick dry time to transform the nail polish process.
Remember to apply thin coats, layer with regular polish for a glossy finish, and clean nails first. With proper application, Sally Hansen Insta Dri can give you a speedy solution for polished nails in a hurry.
