5 Clean Nail Polish Brands Created By WOC
They say most businesses are born of necessity, and if there’s one thing women need more than ever, it’s non-toxic nail care
Photo: Unsplash
They say most businesses are born of necessity, and if there’s one thing women need more than ever, it’s non-toxic nail care. For too many years, masked nail techs have sat in salons across the country inhaling the demands of an increasingly growing market of women looking to get gel and acrylics manicures, pedicures, and a back massage to top it all off. According to a Statista study, approximately 8.53 billion dollars were spent on nail salon services in the U.S. in 2017.
Recently, studies have discovered that America’s nail obsession may have become toxic for more than just our budgets. From the acetone in the polish remover, which causes headaches, dizziness, and irritated eyes, skin, and throat, to the polish itself, which contains dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and causes nausea and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth, and throat, the experience of getting your nails done can be dangerous if done often enough — even if you’re doing your nails at home.
Back in 2015, New York Times reported on the potential side effects of nail care products — including miscarriages and cancer. Since then a handful of responsible brands have popped up with gorgeous polish colors that are also completely safe. A gift from the nail gods? We think so.
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Mischo Beauty
The founder of this revolutionary line of luxe, non-toxic polishes, Kitiya Mischo King, is a beauty aficionado and former chemist who sought to change the highly-toxic beauty segment of nail lacquers after becoming pregnant with her son (and increasingly concerned about the chemicals she’d ingest while getting her nails done).
Unlike other clean nail polish formulas, her colors fail to chip, crack or leave chunky layers behind. Mischo Beauty lacquers are also “10 FREE,” meaning free from formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, triphenyl phosphate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and parabens.
These are a cult-favorite line of polishes, known for their vibrant and rich hues that create deliciously Instagram-worthy nails.
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Emilie Heathe
Finding non-toxic products that actually work well feels like hitting the lottery. Finding out they’re also beautifully packaged and luxurious feels like hitting the Mega Millions. And if there’s one brand that delivers all that goodness in one coin-shaped package, it’s Emilie Heathe’s line of lacquers.
They’re made with ingredients like bamboo extract, coconut oil, vitamin E, and zinc. And, they come in many gorgeous colors; some of which received the seal of approval from top fashion designers like Pyer Moss. Oh, and it doesn’t stop there. The packaging is also stackable and recyclable!
Formulated with top-grade, non-toxic ingredients? Check. Conscious packaging? Check. Luxurious look? Check. Fashion industry approved? Check. Check. Check.
Emilie Heathe’s polishes are a run-don’t-walk beauty buy!
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ella + mila
With the tagline “polish with love,” this line promises chip-resistant, quick-drying and high-shine manicures, that don’t contain any of the seven worst nail polis toxins: toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), xylene and camphor. The cherry on top? ella+mila polishes are also PETA-certified vegan. We especially love them for their Mommy + Me line of polishes, which are completely safe for moms who want to give their toddlers a manicure too!
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Gellusion by P.R.M.I.T. Beauty
Just when you thought you’d have to give up your gel manis, P.R.M.I.T. Beauty’s Gellusion Polish has come to the rescue with their vegan, hypo-allergenic, PETA-certified gel nail polish.
With over 20 rich and vibrant colors that dry in an instant, these are a match made in heaven for beauty lovers who can’t resist the long-lasting benefits of gel polishes.
Each P.R.M.I.T Beauty Gellusion Polish retails for $11 per bottle, and seasonal collections are also available, too — making them the perfect holiday gift for your salon loving friend.
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Lust V Cosmetics
This luxury vegan cosmetic brand, created by Boston-based Samara Walker, is exclusive and inclusive all at once — conscious-chic lacquers for all skin tones.
The brand features Lust V Cosmetics nail lacquer — a vegan, ‘8 free,’ gluten-free and cruelty-free product, and colors inspired by seasonal and fashion trends — our favorites are “Black Girl Magic” and “Queen B.” The brand also has a soy nail polish remover.
