Wow, it’s been a minute. Life has taken over the past couple months, and I have sorely neglected this blog. But instead of making excuses, I’m just going to jump right in to today’s topic: clean, nontoxic nail polish. I debated posting about this for a while, because honestly, switching nail polish brands seems like a pretty superficial way to make the world a better place.

On the other hand, painting my nails has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. I find it relaxing to take the time out at the end of a long day to do something for myself that makes me feel pretty. It’s five minutes of taking care of myself, followed by an hour of waiting for my nails to dry, during which I can only relax, read, or watch TV. It can actually be quite meditative. You know what? It’s not a guilty pleasure, it’s self-care. And self-care is not selfish. Or superficial. It’s valuable.

Unfortunately, many polishes can actually be hazardous to your health. A whole host of nasty chemicals can be lurking inside pretty bottles. These include formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that can hide under a variety of names; toluene, which has been linked to miscarriages; and dibutyl phthalate (DPB), a hormone disrupter and suspected carcinogen.

Brands that dispensed with these chemicals were originally known as “big 3-free,” which has since expanded to “4-free,” “7-free,” and most recently “10-free.” My favorite of these is Zoya, whose website states the following:

Basically, it’s pretty good stuff considering the alternative. I stocked up during a recent sale, and I’m really happy with the formula and staying power. They are also having a 4^th of July sale right now (through July 8). If you buy 3 polishes, you can get 3 free, plus free shipping. If you don’t want that many nail polishes, you can do what I did and share the offer with a friend. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I WANTED six new polishes, but I knew I didn’t NEED six new polishes, especially when I had yet to give this brand a whirl.

Mineral Fusion, Pacifica, and ella+mila are also great “clean” brands, but I have to say that Zoya is definitely my favorite. Their color selection is incredible, the polishes last a long time without chipping, and if you wait for a sale, they are pretty affordable.

*BRB, gonna go paint my nails in every color now!*