Dry time: Roughly 60 seconds

Verdict: Sally Hansen is the crème-de-la-crème of drugstore nail polish. There’s a wide range of colours and the new bottles contain a handy flat brush for easy application. Sonic Boom is a fantastic bright red, and one coat gave me streak-free coverage. The polish seemed to shrink back from my nails tips a bit when it was completely dry, but I know that a top coat would solve that problem.

Avon Speed Dry+ Nail Enamel in Mambo Melon

Dry time: One minute, 15 seconds.

Verdict: I’m a newcomer to Avon polishes, but I’m impressed with the sleek packaging (another flat brush!) and beautiful colours. Mambo Melon is a pretty coral shade, and two coats gave me full, opaque coverage. Unfortunately, the polish chipped almost immediately. This formula definitely requires a top coat, but the extra step is worth it when the colour is this fabulous!

Revlon Top Speed Fast-Dry Nail Enamel in Jelly

Dry time: Less than 30 seconds

Verdict: I am absolutely smitten with the bright, glossy colour (a perfect pinky-red). The colour on my nails matches the colour in the bottle perfectly, and I only need one coat for full, rich coverage. I went 4 full chip-free days before removing the polish to try a different colour.

Tips:

• Not sure if your polish is dry? Gently rub your nail against your bottom lip. If the polish isn’t completely dry, you’ll feel a slight tackiness. The smooth skin on your lips won’t smudge the polish or leave imprints the way your fingers would.
• Apply a clear top coat every few days to stretch the life of your manicure, making sure to swipe a bit of polish over the edge of your nail to prevent chips.
• Try not to push polish all the way into your nail bed. This can irritate the cuticles and make removal difficult.