Coming Clean- Nail Polish
Applying makeup on a recent bride for her wedding. Polish free and proud!
Photo Cred: Sarah Culver Photography
There has been quite the buzz on Facebook this week about the harmful chemicals in nail polish. I wanted to make it an opportunity to come clean about my process of breaking my OPI and essie addiction.
A Little Background
I've been polish-free for a couple years now except on special occasions. Being polish-free can be a vulnerable place for women. I used to feel less put-together with my bare nails, especially because I get photographed when I am applying makeup on people. And surprise, my nails are always bare! Often times, I compare myself to bloggers and other makeup artists who have such perfectly polished nails in their on-line snapshots and in person. But, having perfectly polished nails just wasn't for me. I couldn't keep the polish on with all my hand washing from being a makeup artist and I knew the ingredients in nail polish could be toxic, so I felt a change was needed.
"No Polish, No Problem." Right?! Wrong.
I do love treating myself to a mani/pedi every month or so, but don't get me started about asking for "No Polish" mani/pedis. One would think I'm speaking alien when I tell the nail techs "no polish" at my local nail spots. You try it. You'll end up defending yourself from beginning to end as they question you; it's the furthest thing from a relaxing experience.
And on a side note, now that I am more product-conscious in general, getting mani/pedis totally freaks me out. I mean Blue 1 Lake in my exfoliating scrub? NO, thank you! I still get mani/pedis though, and I'm very tempted to bring my own products. Can you imagine the experience if a "no polish" customer brings her own products?! I'm their worst nightmare. There are some "green" nail spas popping up in bigger cities. I am willing to give them a try if I knew more about why they are "green" or if it's just a marketing ploy. I hope a true "green" nail spa opens in my neck of the woods. The last thing I want to do is regularly give myself an in-home mani/pedi. No massage chair, no way!
On a more serious note, If you paint your nails or your child's nails, read this article from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). They pretty much nailed it.
Switch to Safer
I've heard the Priti NYC brand of nail polish is the best as they do not have DPB, Formaldehyde, Camphor, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, or TPHP. My friend posted this PREVENTION article on other safe nail polish brands.
I want to hear from you. Have you changed your nail polish to a healthier, safer brand? Also, have you ever been to a "green" nail salon? If so, please leave your comments in the comment section. I’ll see you there!