Having a fresh a manicure or pedicure is a shiny, wonderous time. It is also a danger filled period, where the threat of smudges, smears and outright polish ruination loom heavy over your every movement.

Fortunately we can give you six tips to can help reduce the risk of a mani-pedi disaster.

1. Let them dry! Spend at least 20 minutes doing nothing, not digging in your wallet for tip money, not driving, and definitely not tucking a kid into a car seat! It's worth paying the babysitter for another half hour.2. Apply a fast dry top coat. This can be a good or bad thing. It's good if it keeps your nails from smudging, but the quick drying formula also makes your nails more likely to chip. Use with discretion, when you really don't have time to let them dry in real time.

3. Dip your fingers or toes in ice water. If you're doing a home mani-pedi and need to rush, a quick ice bath can speed the process. Best on a hot day

4. Fast dry spray. A favorite of the salon ladies, who never seem to mind the fumes. It feels like hair spraying your nails, but it takes some minutes off your drying time.

5. A drop of cuticle oil. Again, not a replacement for letting them dry, but it will let you squeak by with a little less waiting time. Plus it makes your hands and feet soft!

6. Wrap in Saran wrap. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. Your odds go up with the more time you spend letting them dry first. Also works better when you combine it with cuticle oil. This is for emergency situations when you can't wear flip flops out of the salon, like it's snowing out. But remember, you will still smudge if the tops of your shoes rub against your toes.