A lot of people don't realize how many toxins are in their favorite nail polish brands. Many of the products on our drugstore shelves contain a shocking number of carcinogens. Not only are the fumes from these products harmful to the brain and lungs, these chemicals can seep into your bloodstream and organs through your nails and skin. The convenience and savings in buying local dimestore nail polish and cosmetics is so not worth the damage the majority of these products can inflict within your body over time. But where do you find safe nail polish? It's as easy as visiting your nearest spa or going online.
butterLondon. These nail lacquers are infused with vitamins that promote the health of the nail. They contain no formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. Originally designed for the fashion runways of the world's top designers, particularly Fashion Week, these lacquers are highly pigmented to deliver rich, vibrant colours and consistent coverage. Now a popular mainstream brand, they can be found at Sephora, better drugstores, and online on their official website, or at Well.ca for $24.00.
deborah lippman. Celebrity manicurist extraordinaire, Deborah Lippman is an icon in the industry due to her innovative, incredible talent as a manicurist and many years experience working with big-name celebrities. Her line of nail colour is non-toxic and rated by the Environmental Working Group as very low risk for cancer, developmental and reprotoxicity and allergens. There are a variety of different formulations to choose from, including some celebrity collaborations with Sarah Jessica Parker, Lara Stone, Kelly Ripa, Kelly Clarkson, and Cher. Find it on her official website for $18.00 - $20.00; at Sephora stores and at amazon.com.
FARMASi. Skip the salon! You can get stronger, healthier nails at home without the harmful chemicals by choosing FARMASi Calcium Nail Hardener, Glossy Top Coat, and Cuticle Remover Oil at very low price points between $10 and $13 CAD. You can also get a range of toxin-free nail polishes in shades ranging from pale nude to fuschia at only $8.50 CAD. Access them at www.farmasi.ca/gailmeaker.
Pacifica 7-Free Nail Polish. Pacifica is a well-known natural makeup and skincare brand in the natural health community that offers a 100% vegan, cruelty-free nail colour free from seven known carcinogens, namely toluene, parabens, phthalates, xylene, camphor, formaldehyde and resin. You can definitely feel safe knowing this nail colour won't harm you. Get it at any health store or online at pacificabeauty.com for $9.00 - 14.00. Also offered at Well.ca, Ulta Beauty, skincareisma.com and makeupalley.com.
SpaRitual. Founded by "lifestyle futurist" Shel Pink, SpaRituals vegan nail colour is formulated without formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. SpaRituals products are Certified Organic and Fair Trade and are packaged responsibly. Their ingredients are sourced from plant essences around the world. The nail colour is offered in an extensive range of collections, colours and type. They can be found at natural spas, or online on the official SpaRitual website, as well as Amazon and eBay. The prices range from $15.25-$20.00.
Zoya. Toluene-free Zoya natural nail polish is purported to be the world's longest-wearing nail polish and is offered in an extensive lineup of colour choices. Zoya should not be difficult to find as it is a very popular brand amongst estheticians, but if you live in a rural town you can order it online at Amazon or NailPolishCanada.com. Very reasonably priced at $10.00.
Although the cost of natural nail colour is often more than your average drugstore brand, the long-term health benefits are worth the extra expense. If more people refused to purchase chemically-laden nail polish, the industry would be forced to work harder to produce products that are safe for the environment, as well as our bodies.
