Guide to Safe Nails

The manicure-pedicure, or the mani-pedi for short. Part of a girl’s pampering ritual, and that of some enlightened guys too who have discovered the magic of the hand and foot massage. We won’t tell.

So imagine our shock when we learn that one of our favorite treats is filled with toxic chemicals. Knowledge is power, and we can still have beautiful sexy nails without harming ourselves or the nail salons. Here is Heart of Green’s Guide to Nailing Safe Nails:

Chemicals To Avoid

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) is a carcinogen that causes cancer and birth defects in laboratories. It was banned in the European Union years ago.

Formaldehyde is a neurotoxin and carcinogen with severe negative health effects. Nail polishes can emit high levels of formaldehyde when wet.

Toluene is a toxic inhalant that can cause contact dermatitis, eye irritation, depression, headaches, tiredness, nausea, loss of vision, and central nervous system problems. It can also be listed as benzene or toluol. Toluene is produced during the manufacture of gasoline from crude oil.

Good Nail Polishes

Buffing: I no longer get any polish on my hands and opt for nude buffing instead, which leaves a radiant shine without the chemicals or high-maintenance flaking. Buffing is the new French manicure for busy eco-conscious ladies. I still can’t resist red on my toes.

Peacekeeper makes mineral-based nail polishes with argan oil and without the bad stuff like FD&C coloring, toluene, or formaldehyde. Peaceful indeed.

Soulstice Nail Colour is vegan, glamorous, and free of the three undesirables.

SpaRitual Nail Lacquer comes in stylish shimmering colors and is vegan and free of synthetic dyes and the three no-nos.

Honeybee Gardens spins up a sweet water-based polish that is totally odor-free.

No Miss Nail Polish does not contain formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP and whips up colors made from the earth and UV inhibitors to protect your nails from the sun.

OPI has begun to remove the hazardous chemicals toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from their gaggle of omnipresent nail polishes.

Sante Kosmetics Nail Polish is recommended without reservation.

Good Nail Spas

Visit a nail salon that has taken the leap to treading lightly and safely on its workers, its clients, and the planet.

Priti Organic Spa in New York

Pure Nails in Austin

Julep Nail Parlor in Seattle

Honey Nail Salon in Atlanta

Nova Nail Spa in San Francisco – Enter this green nail spa with heated floors and relax in the midst of organic geranium essential oils, fresh rose petals, organic ginger scrubs, and organic ginger body lotions. It is located at 811 Mission Street in San Francisco.

Your Favorite Nail Spa: Any spa can become eco-friendly if you bring in your own favorite safe polish. Maybe they will even give you a discount, if you don’t lay on the guilt trip as thick as the salt scrub. Be light and friendly and who knows, maybe the next time you come in, they will be painting all of their clients with your chemical-free gloss.

Healthy Resources

To go deep on safe beauty products, please see these excellent resources:

Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep Database

Teens For Safe Cosmetics - these teens rock safe beauty for all of us.

Tip: People always comment on how long my nails grow and want to know my secret. I think it is because I take calcium daily and also like to drink milk?  Organic milk, soy milk, real yogurt, cheese, ice cream, the works. Try it and let me know the results!