Earthy Vegan Nail Polish (with bamboo lids)
You can’t have a 100% natural nail polish (or else it would not adhere to the nail). But there are better brands that are vegan (no dead insects to make pink/red colours) and sold in better packaging. Nail polish is flammable, so you can’t recycle it (so use it up or take to the tip’s toxic waste department).
Keep nail polish away from naked flames, children and pets (due to iron, zinc or titanium dioxide). Also avoid for pregnancy and nursing (like skin, your nails absorb chemicals).
Let nails go free from polish for a few weeks at a time, to let the nail plate dry out. So-called ‘child-friendly polishes’ often use food dyes linked to hyperactivity and even cancer.
Earthy Nail Polish offers vegan-certified nail polishes in glass bottles with bamboo lids. You can return bottles and caps for them to clean and reuse.
This brand is not tested on animals (local law) but also never sells in countries that do test on animals. The polish is also Halal-certified, so suitable for Muslim women.
These polishes are made from 79% natural ingredients (including sugar cane, cassava and corn), replacing petrochemical solvents with natural minerals and vegetal biomass ingredients.
The polishes contain minerals, magnesium and calcium to strengthen nails, and prevent ridges, and also promote healthy nail growth. Designed to last chip-free for a week.
Earthy Gel Lock is their greener alternative to gel nails. Salon boxes include nail cleanser, base coat and polish, sealant, lint-free wipes and a recycled plastic lamp. Use with their recycled crystal nail file.
Natural Nail Polish Removers
Acetone polish removers can harm aquatic life when rinsed down drains. You can make your own polish remover by mixing white vinegar and lemon juice in a small bowl, soaking nails for 5-10 minutes, removing with a reusable pad and rinsing. Zao Nail Polish Remover is certified organic.
This brand’s polish remover does contain acetone, but you can send back bottles for recycling at the address listed online, to prevent aquatic contamination. Designed to also remove gel polish, it’s blended with sweet almond oil, to help nourish nails.
