If you’ve ever wished for a nail polish that dries quickly and actually lasts, you’ve probably heard of Dazzle Dry. Known for its bold claim to dry in just 5 minutes and provide long-lasting wear, this unique polish system promises to be a game-changer for at-home manicures. We put it to the test to see if it lives up to the hype—and here’s what we found.

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Yes, It Dries in 5 Minutes (Really!)

One of Dazzle Dry’s biggest selling points is its fast-drying formula, and we’re happy to report that it delivers. After applying the top coat, the polish is completely dry in just five minutes—no smudges, no tackiness, and no waiting around helplessly with your hands in the air. If you’re used to spending half an hour waiting for traditional polish to dry (only to accidentally ruin it when you grab your phone), this is a revelation.

It’s Long-Lasting, Too

Dazzle Dry lives up to its promise of durability. We found that our manicure last on average 2 weeks without chipping, even with daily wear and tear, and sometimes even longer. There have been times where we could definitely keep wearing our manicure but our nails had grown so much that there was an awkwardly large gap at the base of our nails!

The wear is significantly longer than most traditional polishes, which start to show signs of wear after just a few days. The longevity alone makes it worth considering, especially if you’re tired of redoing your nails or spending money on salon visits.

And to be clear, this is regular nail polish - not gel or acrylic or anything like that! At the end of the manicure you just remove it with your regular nail polish remover.

However, it’s important to say that this is the only case if you follow their full instructions!! If you cut corners, expect the wear time to be a bit less.

The System Seems Intimidating, But It’s Not

Dazzle Dry requires a few more steps than traditional polish, which can feel a bit overwhelming at first. However, once you understand the process, it’s surprisingly simple. The system includes:

Nail Prep: Scrub each nail with the Nail Prep to remove oils or lotions. This ensures that your nails are a clean canvas!
Base Coat: Apply two layers of the Base Coat, which creates a strong foundation.
Color Add two coats of your chosen Lacquer for full opacity.
Top Coat: Finish with one layer of the quick-drying Top Coat for shine and protection.

While the Nail Prep adds an additional step, it’s really not drastically different from a typical manicure routine. The results, however, are far superior to traditional polish in terms of drying time and longevity.

They do say that you need to make sure all products are fresh. The base coat may need to be heated in warm water if it starts looking cloudy and the lacquer and top coat may need a drop of Revive (a product they include for you in the kit) if they start getting a bit thick. It sounds confusing, but it makes sense once you try it! And while it occasionally will add another step, it also ensures that you are getting the most out of your purchase, which we think is well worth it.

Talk To Me About Their Colors

Okay, this one is important - ultimately, the color makes or breaks a manicure. We have to say, we’re happy with the selection. We’ve probably tried at least 20 colors and so far, we’ve found the descriptions to be accurate (so helpful!) and the lacquer looks rich and vibrant once painted on.

One cool thing about Dazzle Dry is that they offer mini options, which lets you try different colors at a cheaper price before committing to a full size bottle. This is a huge plus! You can easily test a whole bunch of colors, either by purchasing them individually or in a flight, which is just a set of 5 curated colors.

Some of our favorite colors:

Campus Crush, “A medium salmon mauve with coral undertones“ - For us, this is the absolute perfect warm-toned color for everyday. It’s the perfect blend of bright-but-not-too-bright that’s super wearable and cute.
Peacefully Me, “A sheer pale pink with warm undertones“ - This is the perfect base for a french manicure if you like a bit more pink than most nautral nails.
White Lightning, “A true stark white full coverage cream“ - Always fresh, always classic - you can’t go wrong with a white nail. Plus, this works great for french tips.
Mojave Dreams, “A burnt orange shimmer“ - We didn’t expect to love this one as much as we do, but it’s a beautiful color that works great for summer or fall in particular.
Red Hot Chili, “A bright orangey red“ - Bold and fearless, this is such a fun red tone.
Ember, “A burnt red with subtle orange undertones“ - This is the only description that we’ve seen that doesn’t quite match. We find this to be a classic deep red and we don’t pick up on the orange undertones! This color is pure sophistication.

The Price: A Worthwhile Investment

Dazzle Dry isn’t the cheapest nail polish system out there. A starter kit (which includes the base coat, color polish, top coat, and nail prep) runs around $85, and individual lacquers are priced between $22. Compared to drugstore polishes, this is definitely an investment.

However, the mini starter kits are a way cheaper alternative and we highly recommend starting with these to make sure the system works for you. Expect to pay around $40 for one of these, and you’ll still be able to get a number of uses from the mini products. Mini lacquers go for about $12.

Whichever you go for, we do have to say that much of the value lies in the time and money you save by avoiding frequent touch-ups or expensive salon visits. With Dazzle Dry, you can achieve salon-quality results at home that last for days, making it a worthwhile purchase for anyone who loves polished nails but hates the upkeep.

Final Verdict: Is Dazzle Dry Worth It?

In a word: yes. Dazzle Dry lives up to its bold claims of drying in 5 minutes and lasting far longer than traditional polishes. While the system might seem a bit intimidating at first, it’s easy to get the hang of—and the results are well worth the effort. The price is higher than average, but the time saved from not having to redo your nails (or pay for a professional manicure) makes it a smart investment.

If you’re someone who loves having polished nails but doesn’t want the hassle of constant maintenance, Dazzle Dry is absolutely worth a try. It’s fast, long-lasting, and gives you the freedom to enjoy beautiful nails without the usual stress.

Dazzle Dry Review: Does It Really Dry in 5 Minutes? And Does It Last?