Please note that nail polish in general is a lot safer these days, with major brands removing cancer-causing carcinogens and toxic pthalates from their formulas to make them safer for both consumers and manicurists alike. So while you can paint on your favorite brands with peace-of-mind, check out these, under-the-radar lines that are not only safe enough for children, but also offer a variety of awesome colors and finishes to satisfy any lacquer-lovers taste.
RGB Cosmetics. Gina Carney, the brand's creator, started the line out of her frustration with brands that constantly changed and discontinued her favorite shades—and the many compliments she received on her own custom-made polish mixtures. The one stipulation Carney had for her own line was that it had to be free of harmful ingredients, so it contains no formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP (pthalates). A minimalist at heart, Carney's collection consists of the most necessary shades: the perfect red (no really, it is perfect), a beautiful nude, and even basic black and white. There are also seasonal shades that come out every fall and spring that then become permanent fixtures in the line. These shades are inspired by trends Carney spots on the runway. This fall, my favorite is Vert—a deep, forest green that manages to be both grunge and opulent, and all around cool.
Scotch Naturals. The full name of these polishes is actually "Scotch Naturals WaterColors" and they are, in fact, water-based, containing only H2O, acrylic polymers, and natural colorants. They're also hypoallergenic, 100% biodegradable, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, fragrance-free, and, of course, free of toxins and chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, as well as butyl and ethyl acetates. The line was developed after founder Ginny Cardenas created a line of safe polishes for children called Hopscotch Kids and realized there was a demand for eco-friendly, safe polishes for adults. Something to look out for—the 2011 Red Collection, a line of eight shades that range from from a cheery orange-red, to a dark, moody blackened garnet called Blood and Sand.
Butter London. This has to be one of the coolest nail companies out there. They have become major players backstage at New York Fashion Week, creating looks this season at Calvin Klein, Victoria Beckham, Betsey Johnson, Yigal Azrouel, and Matthew Williamson, to name a few. Butter London polishes are non toxic and "3 free," so they're formulated without formaldehyde, toluene, DPB, or parabens. The colors are unique and the pigments extra rich. The fall line is full of jewel tones and the colors manage to look as rich as actual gemstones. Bluey (a metallic dark peacock blue), Wallis (a metallic olive gold), and Knees Up (a bright metallic red), are all pictured above and are great options for pretty-meets-punk fall manicures.
Priti NYC. Completely non-toxic and also "3 Free" (no toluene, dibutyl pthalate, or formaldehyde), the brand was founded by Kim D'Amato while she was pregnant with her first child. D'Amato had switched to organic foods and health products, and wanted an equally green way to beautify herself. The line also aims to support local, organic farms and to help decrease the use of harmful chemicals in manufacturing. These great facts aside, the line carries over 100 (yes, 100) shades, many of which are super pretty and romantic. I've never seen such a selection of soft pinks and nudes, each one a little bit different than the next, and even the brighter shades still feel ladylike and sophisticated. The fall polish I can't wait to wear is Moonstone Cactus, an opaque blue gray.
Julep. Julep originally started out as a small chain of salons in Seattle, Washington that owner Jane Park founded to provide customers with high-quality, "clean-green" nail treatments. "I wanted to make manicures and pedicures a safer, toxin-free experience for both the women who receive the services and the women who work in the industry," says Park. She developed a line of "4-free" nail polishes for her salon business, now available for sale nationwide on Julep's website. Julep's Nail Vernis don't contain carcinogens such as formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, and DBP, butthey do have a full line of interesting shades that are incredibly long-lasting. Last spring, our entire office went gaga over "Amy," a gorgeous smoky-turquoise shade. For fall, I can't wait to try out "Alfre," a shimmery gray-purple, and "Boris and Nicole," a sexy autumn red-brown.
Ginger + Liz. Ginger + Liz polishes, a line of vegan-friendly, non-toxic polishes (like the others, they have no formaldehyde, resin, DBPs, or toulene). The rich lacquers come in an array of bold hues and foil-like metallic finishes. Two of my favorites shades are definitely attention-grabbing—Goin' Back To Cali (a melon-y pink neon), and Keep Me Interested (a true clementine orange shade). For fall, I'm excited about shades like "Better Off Without You," a brilliant tangelo, and "Jeggings," a denim blue, which are available November 1.
Warm regards and love,
Erin
