By Blythe Copeland | Tue Dec 1, 2009 10:37
-
Buy Green: Nail Polish
Punchy nail color doesn't have to mean stinky remover and harsh chemicals like phthalates and formaldehyde.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that your average nail polish is full of toxic ingredients?the smell is your first clue, and the acetone required to remove them, that's your second. But you can dress up your 'tips and toes naturally, with colors that range from striking to subtle from these five eco-friendly brands. Free of phthalates, toluene, and formaldehyde, they?re easy to apply, more durable than synthetic polishes, and easy to remove (without the chemicals).
-
WaterColors Non-Peel Off Polish From Honeybee Gardens
Why We Like It: Honeybee Gardens' WaterColors Polish comes in 21 colors (which match the company's natural lipsticks, if that's your style) and the water base actually forms a sturdy coat that is harder to chip than synthetics.
Eco-Factor: In addition to the natural water-based formula, Honeybee Gardens' polishes are made without formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalates, and artificial colors?plus, you can skip the harsh remover in favor of rubbing alcohol, grain alcohol, or even vodka when you're tired of the color.
Shades to Try: Shiny Penny, Goddess, and Whisper
Where: Honeybee Gardens
How Much: $7
Photo courtesy of Honeybee Gardens
-
Natural as Mud Nail Polish From Piggy Paint
Why We Like It: Piggy Paint's Natural as Mud nail polish is marketed to young girls, but hey?if it will stand up to mud pies and Barbie outfit changes, then it should be durable enough for typing and speed dialing. Hitting it with the hair dryer for a minute makes the finish even tougher.
Eco-Factor: Piggy Paint is safe for even the youngest beauty buffs: It's non-toxic (no formaldehyde, toluene phthalates, BPA, ethyl acetate, or acetone), water-based, and hypoallergenic.
Shades to Try: Angel Kisses, Dragon Tears, and Girls Rule!
Where: Piggy Paint
How Much: $10
Photo courtesy of Piggy Paint
-
BioPolish From Kaia House
Why We Like It: Kaia House BioPolish offers a lineup of city-named shades that range from sultry mattes (like Shanghai, Seattle, and Rome) to pale pastels (including St. Tropez, Palo Alto, and Monaco)?so there's one that's just right for every occasion.
Eco-Factor: The polishes?and their topcoats and soy-based polish remover?are all made without toluene, formaldehydes, and phthalates, and the company refuses to test its products on animals.
Shades to Try: London, Seattle, Brighton
Where: Kaia House
How Much: $10
Photo courtesy of Kaia House
-
3 Free Lacquers From Butter London
Why We Like It: 3 Free Lacquers from Butter London are bright, bold shades that follow fashion trends, from British Racing Green (mixed for Vena Cava's Fashion Week show) to matte orange, lavender, and glittery pink inspired by this season's runways.
Eco-Factor: The polishes are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate, and the company has, in the past, partnered with other salons to offer free polishes to customers who turn in three of their old, toxic colors.
Shades to Try: Artful Dodger, Rosie Lee, Tea with the Queen
Where: Butter London
How Much: $14
Photo courtesy of Butter London
-
Water-Based Nail Polish From Suncoat
Why We Like It: Suncoat's Water-Based nail polish, a two-time silver medal winner at the Canadian Health Food Association Expo, won't dry out and discolor nails the way chemical-heavy colors will, and is available in a rainbow of shades (many of which are vegan) to replace every bottle of polish in your bathroom cabinet.
Eco-Factor: The water base replaces the chemical solvents that non-natural brands use and ensures Suncoat polishes are free of phthalates and formaldehyde.
Shades to Try: Purple Haze, Cinnamon, Silver
Where: Suncoat
How Much: $10
Photo courtesy of Suncoat
On Now
- 07:30pm Grizzly Man Diaries
- 08:00pm Off the Grid
- 09:00pm Whale Wars
On Tonight
- 08:00pm Off the Grid
- 09:00pm Whale Wars
Earthquake in Chile - How You Can Help
Find charities and social media tools to help with relief efforts.
10 Ways to Help the Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts
Send text messages, donate online or just get informed on easy ways you can contribute.
How to Make the Recovery Last
Once the Red Cross pulls out, Haiti will still need help getting on a path to real development.
More Ways to Help
Get our complete coverage of the relief efforts in Haiti and ways you can take action to help.
| CREDITS | DCL | |
| DISCOVERY SITES | Discovery Channel | TLC | Animal Planet | Science Channel | Planet Green | Discovery Fit & Health | Hub | Military Channel | Investigation Discovery | Discovery Home | HD Theater | Turbo | HowStuffWorks | TreeHugger | Petfinder | PetVideo | Discovery Education |
| CUSTOMER SERVICE | Viewer Relations | Free Newsletters | RSS | TV FAQs |
| CORPORATE | Discovery Communications, Inc. | Advertising | Careers @ Discovery | Privacy Policy | Visitor Agreement |
