Do you believe in signs? If you’re a California resident, you may have seen alarming signs posted at your favorite cosmetics retailer stating some nail polishes contain chemicals known to the state of CA to cause birth defects. Thanks to Proposition 65 the state is required to maintain and update a lengthy list of chemicals know to cause cancer or reproductive harm and retailers must post signs near products containing these chemicals. While many are quick to point out that these scary signs do not take into account safe levels of exposure (read: there’s likely no need to freak out over minimal exposure), I have made an effort to clean-up my products because I figure, why risk it?
It makes me feel a little better knowing that my Baby Boy Wagner and I are perhaps a little safer using 5-free cosmetics; products free of 5 common toxins: formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, camphor and formaldehyde resin. I hunted down 5 fantastic 5-free brands and have 10 favorite colors to share with you. Spoiler alert: it made for one crazzzyyy manicure.
Zoya ($9) They have really luxe colors to choose from like Jules, America and Serenity. I’ve found a manicure with their formula can last 2 whole weeks if you reapply a top coat periodically. That’s better than most of the toxic polishes I’ve worn which is probably why it was awarded ‘longest wearing natural nail polish’ by an independent panel in Women’s Health Magazine.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics ($10) I first fell in love with their long-lasting lip tars and after trying their nail polish became a cult-follower of the vegan, cruelty-free brand.
Butter London ($15) has a 10-in-1 formula that’s is designed to help promote brighter, stronger, healthier nails. Best of all? The polish lasts for about 10 days.
Deborah Lippmann ($18) Their fashion-foward polishes are infused with treatment benefits from ingredients such as biotin, green tea extract, and aucoume. The formula is really thick and I’ve found that you have to apply it very carefully to avoid any streaks. If you have the time (or consider yourself a mani expert), it’s a great pick.
Rituals ($8) These polishes have a flat brush making it practically fool-proof to apply. The formula is the shiniest of all the 5-free polishes I’ve tried which makes it a huge time saver since you can skip the topcoat. Also worth mentioning is their smoothing foot scrub and cooling foot balm which make my at-home spa seem more like the real deal.
I swatched all 10 colors and the first thing Harlowe asked me was, “Why are all of your nails, um… different?” Needless to say, this mani won’t last long!
I love a pink pedicure in the summer. How great is Rituals ‘Cherry Pink’ on my toes?
One of my favorite mani/pedi combinations this summer has been Zoya ‘Jules’ and Rituals ‘Cherry Pink’.
Let me know what your favorite 5-free polishes are in the comments below!
Happy (safer) painting!
Shop these nail polishes and sandals to show them off in below:
