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BANG FOR THE BITE
At $9-10 per bottle and no potential damage to men's or women's reproductive goods, more natural nail polish is a no-brainer.
COCKTAIL FACT
Today the average polish we put on our nails is a refined version of automobile paint.
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home › tip library › Natural Nail Polish
Want to have sassy nails now that gardening season is coming to a close?
The Bite
Regular nail polishes might be gorgeous, but they contain a hefty amount of toxins that can stay in your system. The CDC found that every person they tested during a recent study had some level of these toxins in their systems - and women of childbearing age had the highest levels of all: due in particular to nail polish use. While there is no nail polish that is completely natural, there are fortunately several alternatives out there that do not contain the worst chemicals, so take a step toward being a little more natural, without giving up a little glam.The Benefits
- Odor-free and often water-based, allowing the nail to breathe.
- Usually non-allergenic, containing no preservatives or synthetic fragrances.
- Free of dangerous chemicals that have been known to cause birth defects of the male reproductive system: no formaldehyde, toluene or phthalates.
Personally Speaking
There are some “peel-off” all natural versions that seem a little silly to us (it’s not like polish doesn’t chip and peel enough on its own). But the non-peel, phthalate-free ones are great, and seeing how we might want kids some day, we’re switching.Wanna Try?
- Sante Kosmetics has a great line of phthalate-free nail polishes and cosmetics for $9/bottle.
- Honey Bee Gardens has a popular selection of water-based nail polishes at $10/bottle.
- SpaRitual Nail Lacquer - Heather loves their Dramatic High Notes collection ($9/bottle).
- The Green Guide - find out if your current polish contains phthalates and other chemicals.
Sep 13,2005
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Don’t Get a Pedicure in Thailand
I kind of like the smell of nail polish.
And I love having dark purple or vivid blue or crazy rose or blood red toenails so that when I adjust people in their downward-facing-dogs, they can see how cute my toes are.
Sadly, though, nail polish is apparently the devil (or the phthalates in the polish are) and can cause birth defects in children (specifically in their reproductive systems). And since someday, I might have children, and since someday, THEY might want to have children, I have decided to give up regular nail polish and go for phthalate-free.
That's me - looking out for my grandkids when I haven't had a date in ages.
-Heather... off to do a last little polish-sniffing before tossing them out..
PS - when in Thailand - don't get a pedicure, even though they cost like a dollar. Just trust me on this one. Someday I'll tell the whole story. ;)
Biter Comments...
It has to do with an entire series of "spa" treatments I experienced throughout SE Asia a few years back, and yes, they are all interesting tales to be told someday... ;)
On the other hand - the reflexology treatments in Thailand? I HIGHLY reco them. AMAZING.
Nail polish has always not been a favourite scent for me ("gagging" comes to mind as a description), but that's *okay*--you are you and I am me and we are all together. Was, however, curious as to how you disposed of them...in the responsible way that you would have...
Hey Barbara:
As with most things I get rid of... they are sitting in a bag, waiting to be given to one of my nail-polish-loving friends who really doesn't care about the phthalates. These particular bottles of polish are already out there in the world, so they may as well get used up by someone who'd buy a new bottle anyway...
I love the smell of nail polish and I love to paint my toes too. Fortunately I have had all my kids and they are not around when I do my nails and they are boys. Though now I will get pthalate-free polish for the kids I care for who like to get their toes painted.
Oh, good, my philosophy also; hang on to it, someone will want it...I don't supposed you're a Cancer??? :-) And in the realm of saving the Earth, saving the world, I ask, okay--so we boycott sweatshop clothing, however, we're hurting the people that made the clothing, not the business owners and this is *their* livelihood, they can now feed their family, and sure they don't have 27 televisions and 5 computers in their house, but they're in a simple place where they feel that somehow they're providing for their families..it's a rock and a hard place kind of place, all about allowing others to choose their path...perhaps you've already visited this sweatshop thought. When the individuals create opportunities that open up their options, then help'm out, for sure. I've not been in here until recently and may be beating a dead horse. And by the way, when you beat a dead horse, it doesn't care because it's safely out of its body, you know what I mean?
Back to nail polish. Love the colours out there now, but somehow I keep ending back up with Raven Red when i get around to wearing the stuff, which isn't often anymore.
I'm a Gemini through and through, but do tend to be a bit of a pack-rat... ;)
...ah, just your sun sign, but i'll bet your legs and arms are well developed and people say they can't keep up with you...
okay fine, Heather, I just looked at your "old" photos. I rest my case...
I wonder if you buy your own healthy polish, if you can bring it to a salon for a pedicure? That way you can still enjoy the fumes but keep the cute toes without jeopardizing your offspring. Just a thought. Also, check out more than you ever wanted to know about cosmetics in general at: www.safecosmetics.org
Laura - I need to do that. I could SOOO use a manicure/pedicure right now...
Why not just a multi surface buffer for a deep shine without any chemicals?The buffers last for months, there's no smell, it looks good, it's a lot less expensive, and you won't look like a freak with a nail disease.
Hi, I am a retired nail tech and salon owner of 25 years. I, however, only heard about the toxins in nailpolish long after my retirement. About four weeks ago I found a lump on my left breast, after the biopsy last Thursday found out that it is cancer. Not even thinking about how much nail polish I was around all those years, 14 hours a day, 6 days a week. There has to be some way to get these toxins out of our nail polishes and get more information to the consumer without them having to research it all. If I would have know years ago I would have made changes. I heard about alluminum in deoderant and the relationship it has with breast cancer and I changed my deoderant way back then. We really have to do something. I also, am in the midst of a patent for a new product for nails and am looking for a company with nail polish without the toxins to doubleup with me. My patent will cover the US and Europe and we are ready to bring this product to the market for safety to the consumers that visit a nail and/or beauty salon. If you are interested please email me with a phone number and a time we can chat.
Not sure why my last post cameup dated Aug. 15, but the true date is 11/23/07
Thank you for such great information
Thanks
Nail Polish
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Victoria E | September 13, 2005 at 07:25 AM