Corn and Soy Based Nail Polish Remover Gel

I had the opportunity to try out a corn and soy based nail polish remover gel, courtesy of Suncoat. It is the first natural nail polish remover gel on the market. I was excited to try the nail polish remover gel on a water-based nail polish, but it also works with regular nail polish. The remover is ideal for traveling, since the gel consistency is less likely to leak than a liquid nail polish remover. Just remember to put it in your checked luggage or a zip lock baggie in your carry-on luggage!


The remover is all natural, having been made from fermented corn and soy oil. The main ingredients are: ethyl lactate (from corn stock fermentation), methyl soyate (from soy oil), vegetable glycerin, vitamin A, and Biotin.

How to Use the Suncoat Corn and Soy Based Nail Polish Remover Gel:

• Squeeze a glob of remover gel onto each nail.
• Spread the remover gel around the nail with a cotton bud or tissue.
• Leave the gel on your nails for at least five minutes.
• Scrape the nail polish and gel off your nails with a cuticle stick.

Using the Suncoat Remover Gel with Water Based Nail Polish:

The first time I tried the nail polish remover gel with Piggy Paint water-based nail polish it required multiple applications to fully remove the polish. Then I learned some helpful tricks, and the next time it worked much better.

Tricks for Good Results with the Remover Gel:

• Apply a generous glob of remover to each nail. If you don't use enough the remover may dry out while sitting on your nails. 
• Leave the remover gel on your nails for 5-10 minutes, instead of the recommended 2 minutes.
• After allowing the remover to soak on your nails, push the polish off with a cuticle stick. This works much better than rubbing or wiping with a cotton round.

Suncoat remover gel is a natural alternative to acetone-based nail polish remover, and it works with both regular solvent-based nail polish and water-based nail polish.

Do you like the idea of using a gel nail polish remover, instead of a liquid remover?

 

 

5 Brands of Long-Lasting Non-Toxic Nail Polish

Looking for a nail polish that is long-lasting but also safe for your health? Here is a list of 5 brands of long-lasting non-toxic nail polish.

1. Scotch Naturals (for adults) and Hopscotch Kids (for kids),
2. Keeki Pure & Simple (for kids, tweens, and adults),
3. Acquarella (for adults, including pregnant women),
4. Suncoat (for everyone under the sun), and
5. Piggy Paint (for kids, adults, and pets).

All of these brands are non-toxic and free from the Big-3 (dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene and formaldehyde). Also, because they are water-based formulas, they do not contain any harmful chemical solvents. Instead, their main ingredient is water!

If you are looking for a safer option to regular nail polish, try one of these toxic-free nail polish brands, for safe and long-lasting results!

Which brands of non-toxic nail polish have you tried?

Water Based and Regular Nail Polish Compared

Water based nail polish is a fairly new invention, having entered the market in the 2000's, so many people do not know what it is. Regular solvent based nail polish has been manufactured since the 1920's, having been inspired by car paint. Here is a comparison of water based and regular nail polish.

• The primary ingredient in water based nail polish is water. Regular nail polish contains volatile chemical solvents that quickly evaporate when the polish in painted onto your nails. These solvents give nail polish its unpleasant smell. Since water based nail polish does not contain such solvents, it has very little smell.
• Water based nail polish dries to the touch in about 15 minutes, but takes up to 6 hours to fully dry. You can speed up the drying process with a hair dryer. Regular nail polish reaches a fully dry state in about 15 minutes.
• Water based nail polish comes in both long-lasting and peel-off formulas. Regular nail polish comes primarily in long-lasting formulas. Water based nail polish which is properly applied lasts around one week on fingernails. Many regular nail polishes lasts for a similar amount of time.
• Water based nail polish becomes more difficult to remove over time. It requires special nail polish remover meant for water based nail polish. Regular nail polish can be removed just as easily if it is worn for one week or one day. Regular nail polish requires acetone or acetone-free nail polish remover.
• All water based nail polishes are not only "3 Free" but also free of other harmful chemicals. Some regular nail polishes are "3 Free," while others still contain carcinogenic and other toxic ingredients. 
• Water based nail polishes do not dry out the nails, since they allow water to reach the nail bed and hydrate the nails. Regular nail polish forms a hard layer that does not allow water through. Also, the ingredients found in regular nail polish and remover are very drying. 
• Water based nail polish in non-flammable, while regular nail polish is highly flammable and should not be used near open flames. 

Is there anything else you would like to know about how water based and regular nail polishes compare?

Easy Polka Dot Nail Art Design

Polka dots are a fun and easy nail art design. Dots are one of the simplest forms of nail art, but they can really make your nails look fun and festive! You can do all the polka dots in one color, or different colors on each nail. Or for a fun sprinkles look, use many colors of dots on each nail.

Polka dots only take a few minutes to add, but they make your nails look so much more exciting!

How to do easy polka dot nail art:

1. First, paint your nails with a clear base coat and allow it to dry.
2. Paint your nails with 2-3 coats of colored nail polish and allow it to dry.
3. Add dots with a toothpick dipped in nail polish. Let dry.
4. Finish with a clear or sparkly top coat.

Sula Peel-Off Nail Polish Demo {Video}

Today is all about peel-off nail polishes! Earlier I posted a video about Suncoat peel-off nail polish. Now, for your comparison, here is a video demonstrating Sula peel-off nail polish.

Have you ever tried Sula Paint and Peel nail polish? What do you think of Sula?

Suncoat Peel-Off Nail Polish Review {Video}

So, I have already mentioned Suncoat peel-off nail polish on My Polish Collection a few times. But since it is my favorite brand of peel-off nail polish, it's okay if I go on and on about it :). Today I have a Suncoat peel-off nail polish review in video format to share with you. Instead of having to read anymore, just sit back and relax and enjoy the video.

After watching the video review, do you think you might try Suncoat peel-off nail polish?

How Many Brands of Water Based Nail Polish Can You Name?

Do you know any brands of water-based nail polish that you can name off of the top of your head? What about naming brands of water based nail polish from their bottles? If you are familiar with many water based nail polish brands, you may be able to ace this quiz! But even if you don't know a single brand, take this quiz as a fun introduction.

I saw a similar quiz, asking you to name main-stream brands of nail polish from their bottles, but there was not a single water based brand listed. I thought it would be fun to put a twist on this idea and make a quiz with only water based polishes.

So, here is how it works. Below you will find 10 numbered images of nail polish bottles. Jot down the brand that comes to mind when you see each bottle. If you have no idea, just make something up! Have fun with it! After you have written down your 10 answers, keep scrolling to reveal the answer key. Don't sweat it, you won't be getting a grade. :) But I would love to hear how you did in the comments!

Name These Brands of Water Based Nail Polish

 

And now, for the answers!

*
*
*
*
*

1. Honeybee Gardens WaterColors
2. Suncoat
3. Keeki Pure & Simple
4. Acquarella
5. Hopscotch Kids
6. Piggy Paint
7. Sula Paint & Peel
8. Suncoat Polish & Peel
9. AQmore
10. Scotch Naturals

Were you able to name any of the water based polish brands from their bottles?

AQmore Peel-Off Nail Polish for Grown-Ups

Yay! I was excited to get to review AQmore, another brand of water-based peel-off nail polish! This is the third brand of peel-off nail polish for gown-ups that I have tried. Thank you to UNIQSO, for sending me a colored AQmore nail polish and a top coat with stars.

I tried out Catherine, which is a pinkish bronze color with a very sparkly finish. It becomes a pinker color if you add the top coat. I love the stars in the Super Star Pink top coat, but I don't love that the top coat smells like regular solvent-based nail polish. Next time I would just get the colored polish.

AQmore is a peel-off polish, so it is just meant to be worn for a day or two. I painted my nails with three coats of Catherine and wore the nail polish for two days. The polish had an unpleasant smell while painting it on, which is too bad. If you are looking for an odorless peel-off polish, take a look at Suncoat Polish and Peel.

To remove AQmore nail polish, I simply soaked my hands in warm water for five minutes, loosened the polish around the edges, and peeled the polish off! Easy-peasy!

Overall, the smell of the nail polish is a turn-off. But the sweet bottles and girly colors might be enough to get me to add some more AQmore peel-off polishes to my collection.

Have you heard of AQmore nail polish before? Are you interested in trying this peel-off nail polish?

Piggy Paint Water Based Nail Polish

Piggy Paint is a water based nail polish for kids. It is also an excellent choice for adults who want to use a safe and long-lasting nail polish. I tested Piggy Paint water based nail polish on my fingernails.

If you are using Piggy Paint nail polish on your kid's piggies or fingernails, the colored polish is all you need. If you want to wear Piggy Paint on your own nails and have it last a long time, you should also use the new base coat and new top coat. With the base, color, and top coat the nail polish was almost permanent! It lasted well on my fingernails for a week, with only tip wear, even though I was hard on my hands.

I bought Piggy Paint online in Sea-quin (turquoise). I love the Sea-quin color! It is a beautiful bright aqua/ turquoise color that is perfect for summer time. It is shown above with a mint chip truffle.

The only difficulty I had with Piggy Paint was removing it. Make sure to use one of the Piggy Paint nail polish removers. You may also want to read some advice on removing water based nail polish.

Nail Trends for Summer 2012

Nail trends for summer 2012 include gradient manicures, accent nails and bead textured nails. Let's take a look at these three summer nail polish trends. You can use any nail polish to create these fun manicures.

Gradient Manicures

Here is how to get the gradient manicure nail trend for summer:

1.  Choose 2-4 colors of nail polish to use for the gradient. They can be in the same color scheme or contrasting colors.
2. Apply one layer of clear base coat.
3. Let nails air dry for at least one minute
4. Apply 1-2 layers of the palest colored nail polish, until opaque. 
5. Let nails dry completely.
6. Paint the next palest color of nail polish onto a make up sponge. 
7. Gently press the sponge onto a nail. Continue lightly pressing the sponge onto your nail, working from the top of your nail downward. Stop when some of the base color is still showing. Paint the same color polish onto the sponge and repeat on the next nail.
8. Let the polish dry.
9. Paint another makeup sponge with the next color of nail polish in your gradient. Press the sponge onto your nail, working your way to half way down your nail. Repeat on next nail.
10. Let the polish dry.
11. Repeat with the next color, but only press this color onto the top part of your nail.
12. Let the polish dry.
13. Finish with a large helping of clear top coat.
14. Allow nails to dry.
15. Marvel at your work of art.

Accent Nails

The accent nail manicure is one of the easiest forms of nail art. Simply paint your ring fingernails with a different design, color or texture of nail polish. You could use cremes on most of your nails and a glitter on your accent nail. Or keep with the same finishes, but use a contrasting color.

Here is how to get the accent nail trend for summer:

1. Paint all of your nails, expect for your ring fingernails with the same design or color of nail polish.
2. Paint your ring fingernails with a different finish, color, or design.

Let your imagination run! There are many ways to interpret this nail polish theme. Pretty much anything goes.

Bead Textured Nails

For the bead textured trend you can use the Caviar Manicure set from Ciate, or you can DIY.

Here is how to get the bead textured nail trend for summer:

1. Paint your nails with one layer of colored nail polish.
2. Let your nails dry. 
3.  Next, work one nail at a time. Paint another layer of polish onto one nail. Immediately pour micro beads onto the nail. Or carefully place them into a particular pattern.
4. Move onto the next nail.
5. Once all nails have beads on them, allow them to dry.
6. Then apply 2-3 thick coats of top coat to glue down the beads.
7. Show off your spectacular beaded nails right away (they don't last long!).

What are your favorite nail trends for summer 2012?

Natural Nail Polish Remover Brands

Along with nail polishes, my collection also contains natural nail polish removers. So far I have tried eco-friendly nail polish removers from Acquarella, Scotch Naturals, Keeki Pure & Simple, and Suncoat. I have not yet found a perfect natural nail polish remover. Some come close, but still have at least one thing wrong with them. Here's what I think of these four brands of natural nail polish remover.

These are all options if you are looking to avoid acetone while pregnant, or just want a safer remover.

Acquarella Water Based Nail Polish Remover

Acquarella water based nail polish remover works well with Acquarella nail polish, but it doesn't perform so well with other brands of water based nail polish. I tried to use it to remove Piggy Paint that had a top coat on it, and the remover did nothing. It also takes a while to remove polish, but that is the norm with removers meant for water-based nail polish. The two best things about Acquarella remover are that it doesn't smell bad and it works great to clean your nails right before painting them.

Scotch Naturals Soy-Based Nail Polish Remover

Scotch Naturals soy-based nail polish remover is one of my favorite brands of natural nail polish remover. It quickly removes water-based nail polish. It is also supposed to work on regular nail polish, but I haven't tried that yet. It leaves nails shiny and moisturized. I don't love that it sprays out of the bottle. I end up breathing in some of the remover. I'd rather it just pour out of the bottle like normal remover. The bottle is made of glass, which seems classy, but it can also be dangerous. I accidentally knocked over my bottle and it shattered on the floor. So be careful!

Keeki Pure & Simple Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover

Keeki Pure & Simple Non-Toxic nail polish remover seems great right at first. As soon as you open the child-safe bottle you are greeted with a coconut scent. As you start to use the remover you sense a cool sensation. But pretty soon the skin around your nails starts to get dry. It starts to feel uncomfortable to hold the cotton round soaked in remover. Sometimes I don't even finish removing my water based nail polish before I cannot take it anymore. I wash my hands and apply jojoba oil to my fingers immediately. Sometimes I try again later and sometimes I just wait for the flecks of nail polish to fall off.

Suncoat Natural Nail Polish Remover

Suncoat natural nail polish remover could be great, if only it did not smell so bad. It has all natural ingredient and is made from corn and soya. It works to remove both water-based and regular nail polish. But it smells terrible! Not the acetone smell of regular nail polish remover, but a different smell. I cannot stand using it due to the odor. Suncoat recently released a nail polish remover in a gel form, which I hope smells better. I will be reviewing it soon.

Have you found the perfect natural nail polish remover? Which brand of nail polish remover do you use?

Peel-Off Nail Polish Has Its Limitations

As I have experimented with water based nail polishes, I have grown to appreciate peel-off nail polishes. Removing water based nail polish can be tough and time consuming. It is nice to have the option to just soak my nails in water and then peel the polish off.

I decided to try wearing peel-off water based nail polish on my toenails. I thought this could be useful for times when I want to change my toenail polish frequently or while I'm traveling. I painted my toenails with a purple color from Suncoat. It looked great on my toes. You couldn't even tell that it was a peel-off polish. But when it came time to remove the polish, it was more stubborn than expected. I soaked my nails in warm water, as usual. Then I tried to peel off the polish, but it didn't want to come off. I loosened the polish with a cuticle stick and tried again. The polish did come off, but so did the top layer of my toenails. I was left with dry nails with uneven surfaces.

So end the end, even though peel-off nail polish can be fun and fast to remove from fingernails, it is better to skip the peel-off formulas for toenails.

Have you ever worn a peel-off nail polish on your toenails?

Brands of Water Based Nail Polish in My Collection

I have been accumulating quite a few water based nail polishes lately. There are only a few brands that I have not tried yet. Here is a list of the brands of water based nail polishes in my collection so far:

• Acquarella
• AQmore
• Honeybee Gardens
• Scotch Naturals
• Sula Paint & Peel
• Suncoat
• Hopscotch Kids
• Keeki Pure & Simple
• Piggy Paint

Which brands of water based nail polish have you tried?

Scotch Naturals Review {Video}

Scotch Naturals review explaining what I like and dislike about Scotch Naturals nail polish. Sometimes it's just easier to watch a video than to read a written review.

Summer Nail Polish Colors from Acquarella

I just added three new summer nail polish colors from Acquarella to my polish collection! Acquarella was so kind to send me all three of the new colors! Yippy! I am so glad to have more Acquarella water based nail polishes.

I love the green, blue and purple color palette! I much prefer these types of colors over the ordinary reds and pinks. I have been excitedly awaiting 30 Love (lemon lime green) ever since I saw a photo of it. 30 Love just screams summer time!

It was harder to tell what Date Night and Dream Car would look like. As soon as I took those two out of the boxes I could see that they were shiny metallic colors. When I first saw Dream Car I thought "Ooh, lah lah, I would like to have a car this color!" I wear clothes that are mostly blue, teal, or aqua, so this greenish blue nail polish will match my wardrobe! The purple Date Night polish looks grape flavored to me. I like the silver shimmers in the purple base color. 

I swatched all three new colors right away, so I could see what they look like on my nails.

I think all three colors are awesome, but I definitely recommend wearing 30 Love during the summer. The metallic purple and blue will still be good choices into the fall.

Keeki Pure and Simple Nail Polish in Cherry Pie {Video}

Video review of Keeki Pure and Simple nail polish showing the Cherry Pie red color. Watch this video to see what I like and dislike about Keeki Pure and Simple. The Keeki brand may be meant for kids, but I still enjoy using the nail polish and lip shimmers!

Find more Keeki nail polish reviews on the Pretty Painted Nails Water Based Nail Polish Blog.

Nail Polish Remover for Water Based Nail Polishes

Along with water based nail polishes, I have recently been accumulating complimentary nail polish removers. Regular acetone and non acetone nail polish removers do not work on all types of nail polish. To successfully get water based nail polish off your nails you need a remover intended for water based nail polish.

So far I have tried water-based, soy-based and alcohol-based removers with water based polishes. I am planning to compare the various removers soon. For now, just know that your regular old smelly remover is not going to work with water based polishes.

Perhaps my biggest frustration with water based polishes is how hard they are to remove. One time it took over 30 minutes for me to get the polish off my nails! Since then I have learned some useful tid bits about removal. I will share with you what I have learned. If you have any more suggestions, please share in the comments below. It will save us all some time and scrubbing.

Removing Water Based Nail Polishes:

1. Select one of the brands of remover intended for use with water based polishes.
2. With water based polish, timing is always key. The best time to paint your nails is right before bed. The best time to remove your polish is right after a shower or bath.
3. Cotton balls will not do the trick. Go for something with more texture, such as cotton rounds or piece of old cloth.
4. Soak the cotton round in remover and slather a good helping of remover onto each nail. Allow it to soak in for a minute. Be patient. Sitting and letting the remover soak in is easier than scrubbing away forever! 
5. Starting with the first nail, hold the cotton pad drenched in remover on the nail for a few seconds.
6. Then wipe off some of the polish.
7. Move onto the next nail and wipe for a bit, then the next.
8. After you have wiped at all of your nails for a short bit, go back to the first and repeat. 
9. Continue this process until all or almost all of the polish is removed.
10. If there are still stubborn bits left, immerse your nails in warm water and scrape off the bits with a wooden cuticle stick.
11. Wash, dry, and moisturize your hands with jojoba oil.

Removal may take longer than you are accustomed to with regular nail polish, but at least you are avoiding the dangerous fumes found in regular polish and remover!

Honeybee Gardens Water Based Nail Polish

In the past, I hardly ever wore black nail polish. Now that it's a main stream trend, I decided to give black a try. I chose Abyss from Honeybee Gardens water-based nail polish line.

I tried out Abyss on my toenails. First I painted on a layer of clear nail polish from Honeybee Gardens. Then I used 2-3 layers of black polish, allowing it to dry in between. The black nail polish went on nicely and kind of looked like a jelly until it reached opacity. It dried to a nice glossy finish.

I really liked the finished black toenail polish look, especially for a formal event with heals. I think it looks very classy.

I was happy with my pedicure until I went to ballroom dance class a couple days later and the polish started chipping off left and right. After a week the polish looked awful. It was chipped off halfway down my nails!

I also tried out Honeybee Gardens nail polish on my fingernails and had a bit better luck using a coat of clear on top as a top coat. You can read a full review of Honeybee Gardens water based nail polish on the Water Based Nail Polish Blog Pretty Painted Nails.

Acquarella Nail Polish Review and Demonstration {Video}

Acquarella is one of my favorite brands of water-based nail polish! It has hardly any smell and lasts nicely on my fingernails for a week. It stays on my toenails for a full month!

Watch this video to learn more about Acquarella water-based nail polish and see a demonstration of applying the nail polish in Mahalo (blue) and Wicked (green).

You can also see the original video review of Acquarella and a written review of Acquarella nail polish on the Pretty Painted Nails Blog.

Jojoba Oil for Cuticles and Hands

Along with water based nail polishes, I have recently added some nail care products to my collection. My hands get dry easily, especially my cuticles and the skin right around my nails. At first I was unsure which moisturizing products would work with water based nail polishes. I avoided using regular hand lotion the day before and day after applying water based nail polish. I did not want the oil and emollients in the lotion to cause the polish to chip.

I finally found a moisturizer for cuticles and hands that is natural, organic, vegan and works with water based nail polishes! It's called jojoba oil. It is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant, which grows in the South Western United States. Jojoba oil is the plant based substance that most closely resembles oil found on human skin. Since it mimics out natural oils it is easily absorbed into the skin and helps lock in moisturizer.

There are two main ways to use jojoba oil with nail polish. First, you can use it when buffing your nails. Add a drop of jojoba oil to each nail and rub it in. Then use a three sided nail buffer to buff your nails. This helps drive the oil deep into your nails and leaves them looking healthy and shiny!

The second way to use jojoba oil is as a cuticle oil and hand moisturizer. Take a few drops and massage it into your cuticle and the skin near your nails. Then rub your hands together and distribute the rest of the oil over your hands. Let it soak in a bit to minimize the residue.



Have you used jojoba oil? What else do you use it for, other than as a hand and nail treatment? 

Peel Off Nail Polish is Perfect for Traveling!

I finally found a water based peel-off nail polish for adults that is perfect for traveling! I'm so excited! The first peel-off polish I tried was Sula Paint & Peel, which was very disappointing. But now I have found one I really like- Suncoat Polish & Peel. Shown above is Suncoat in Mulberry (purple).

For a nail polish to be perfect for traveling it should be non-flammable, odorless, and removable without nail polish remover. Suncoat peel-off polish is all three! Since Suncoat nail polish is water-based, it is non-flammable. Traditional nail polish has nitrocellulose as the main ingredient, which is highly flammable. Technically, you are not supposed to take flammable paints on an airplane, even in checked luggage.

Suncoat polish hardly has any smell at all. I could only smell the polish when I took the lid off and stuck my nose up to the open bottle and took a deep breath. I do not have to worry about the smell bothering me or anyone else when I use the polish. And best of all, I can leave the nail polish remover at home. To remove Suncoat Polish & Peel, I simply soak my nails in warm water for five minutes and then peel the polish off. It is best to remove it after one or two days, so it does not get too stuck to your nails.

Suncoat peel-off nail polish is definitely going on my packing list! I liked it much better than the Suncoat mineral non-peel-off formula that I reviewed.

To see more swatches of the peel-off formula and how it holds up over five days, see a complete review of Suncoat Polish & Peel on the Pretty Painted Nails Blog.

What do you think of Suncoat nail polish? Which formula and color did you try?

Suncoat Mineral Nail Polish in Beige

The latest additions to my nail polish collection are two mineral nail polishes from Suncoat. The one shown above is the non-peel-off water based formula in Beige. I also bought one of their peel-off polishes in Mulberry, which I will try next.

This was the fifth brand of water based nail polish that I have tried and not my favorite. I got both the colored polish and the top coat, but even with the top coat my manicure did not last as long as I would have liked. It is awesome that the Suncoat polish has no smell, but there are other brands that last much longer which are also odor free.

The beige color is okay, but not what I was expecting. Sometimes I order a polish not caring too much what the color is. I wonder why others get so bent out of shape that the color is a shade lighter or darker than expected. This time I was trying to order a particular color. I wanted a pale nude color that matched my skin. The descriptions and color chart on the Suncoat website are horrible. Many of the polishes look quite different than expected, as I found from reading other reviews. Too bad I read them after I got my polish. The beige color ended up being a dark metallic copper color. I wonder what the polish they call Copper looks like!

Removing the polish was not a pleasant experience. It came off after 25 minutes, which isn't bad for a water based polish. However, the Suncoat remover smelled awful! One reason I prefer water based polish over conventional polish is the lack of smell. This remover ruined that. I'm looking forward to trying the Suncoat peel-off polish, since it does not require remover.

Find more Suncoat nail polish reviews on the Pretty Painted Nails blog.


Have you tried Suncoat nail polish? What did you think?

Subtle Shades of Nail Polish

Subtle shades of flesh toned nail polish are always in style. They are acceptable for any work environment and look good on short nails. A bonus to wearing a subtle shade of polish is that chips will be less noticeable.

Bright purples, blues and greens may be fun occasionally, but for everyday wear I like a more natural nail polish color. Red and pink have always been popular, but to give the illusion of longer fingers, try a polish that matches your skin tone and undertones.

 

Suggested Subtle Nail Polishes

• Almond Nude or Sparkling Sand from Suncoat
• Bikini, Bliss or Sleek from Acquarella
• Neat or Heather Blush from Scotch Naturals

If you choose a sheer nail polish, be sure to start by buffing your nails. Also apply a clear base coat to help the colored polish paint on more smoothly. 

Keeki Pure and Simple Water Based Nail Polish

Keeki Pure and Simple was the second water based nail polish for kids that I tried. After testing it out, Keeki is now one of my favorite brands of water based nail polish. And even though it is safe for kids, women can wear it too!

Keeki offers a base and top coat, which helps that polish last on fingernails for a whole week. Keeki is one of the longest lasting water based polishes that I have tried.

There are fun and playful colors like green and blue, but there are also classic colors like red. Shown above is Cherry Pie, which is a sparkly red.

I tried the Spicy Gift pack, which came with base and top coat, nail polish, remover, and an Organic Shimmer stick for lips. The Organic Shimmer Stick in Sophisticated has a nice minty tingle to it and gave my lips a subtle red tint.

Find out more about Keeki and other water based nail polishes. 

Hopscotch Kids Water Based Nail Polish

Just because a nail polish is marketed towards kids, who says us grown-ups can't use it? I decided to give Hopscotch Kids water based nail polish a try. I love trying out any and all water based nail polishes.

This bright orange color, called Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, immediately caught my eye on the Hopscotch Kids website. Orange is not a very common nail polish color, except around Halloween, but I really liked the way this looked on me.

Unfortunately the polish started to chip the first day and was super chipped by the 5th day. Oh, well. Maybe I would not want to wear orange nail polish for too long of a time, anyway.

If you are interested in this safe, non toxic polish, you can read a detailed Hopscotch Kids review or find out about water based nail polish for grown-ups. 

How to Get Rid of Old Nail Polish You No Longer Want

I tend to keep my old nail polishes since I collect them as a hobby. But sometimes, like when you are moving, it might be a good idea to get rid of some nail polishes.

That brings up the question of how exactly to dispose of nail polish. It is pretty obvious that pouring it down the drain is not a good idea. If you do that it can contaminate the waste water treatment facility. You may think it is okay to throw polish in the trash, but it is not. If nail polish ends up in a landfill it can leak and contaminate the ground and water supply with chemicals.

Nail polish and remover are considered household hazardous waste. The correct way to dispose of them is to drop them off at your local household hazardous waste collection facility. Find one near you at Earth911.com.

Peel Off Nail Polish- Sula Beauty Review

I recently tried Sula Beauty's water based peel-off nail polish. This polish is not intended for kids, but for grown ups!

My test of Sula Paint and Peel got off to a bad start. First off, the nail polish is advertised as water based, but the top coat that comes with the duo is regular solvent based nail polish. They should make that more clear! Secondly, I prefer polish with very little or no smell, but they add perfume to the nail polish! Thirdly, the polish painted on very unevenly. I tried to use three very thin coats. It still added up to a thick texture with ridges all over.

But then my experience with Sula got a bit better. I loved the color! Modern mauve is a cheery purple color. I got compliments on it right away. I wore the polish for two days, and the annoying perfume smell did go away once it dried. The polish started peeling after showers and while washing dishes. It looked okay the first day, but by the second day it had peeled back to reveal the tips of some of my nails. That's okay, I thought. It is meant to be a temporary polish.

So after wearing it for two days I removed the polish. I had already read other reviews complaining that peeling off the polish peeled off bits of the nail plate. So I started by only taking the polish off one nail. It did peel the nail plate off a bit. So next I soaked my nails in warm water for five minutes. After that it peeled off like a charm, without damaging my nails!

If you don't mind the gloppy texture and the perfume smell, Sula Paint and Peel is a fun novelty. I'm am thinking of getting a single bottle of polish in Azure, a pretty aqua.

Has anyone tried the single bottles of polish? If so, can you tell me if the ingredients also include perfume on those ones? 

Non Toxic Nail Polishes: Acquarella and Scotch Naturals

Looking for a non toxic nail polish that is not just for kids? It is scary to think of all the harmful chemicals present in traditional nail polish. A safe option is getting a long-lasting water based nail polish.

If you are ready to try water based nail polish but not sure which brand to choose, here is a helpful comparison of Acquarella and Scotch Naturals.

Things I like about Acquarella:

• I has good lasting power for a water based nail polish. It looks good on fingernails for about 5 days and easily lasts a month or more on toenails. 
• It only takes two thin coats of polish, so you do not need a base coat or top coat.
• I do not smell a thing while painting my nails! What a contrast to solvent based nail polish!

Things I like about Scotch Naturals:

• It is easy to remove with their soy based remover. Only takes about 15 minutes. Much shorter than the 30-50 minutes of scrubbing to remove Acquarella with Acquarella remover.
• The colors are sophisticated and appeal to a more mature crowd than just tweens. 
• The base coat helps the polish paint on smoothly and the top coat adds shine. 

Have you tried Acquarella or Scotch Naturals? What do you think of these two non toxic nail polishes? Can you recommend any other water based nail polishes?

I Love Water Based Nail Polish Even if If It Is Not Natural

Lately my nail polish obsession has been collecting water base nail polishes. I love that they are non toxic and do not contain strong smelling solvents like traditional nail polish.

Some brands of water based nail polish advertise themselves as being natural, which got me thinking. Is water based nail polish natural? I can read the label on the back of the bottle, which says "water, acrylic polymer emulsion, non-toxic colorants." I know what water is and that it is natural-check.

Now what is acrylic polymer emulsion? I looked up each part of the term. An emulsion is a suspension of one liquid in another liquid that it is not soluble in. A "polymer" refers to a compound that has a chain of repeating units. Okay. But what about acrylic? I know that some clothes are made out of acrylic, but what is it?

After lots of research I came to the conclusion that acrylic is a synthetic plastic produced by a chemical process. So, water based nail polish is not natural after all.  Oh, well, I still love it!

And even though water based nail polish contains plastic, it is still safe for kids and people of all ages.

Nail Polishes I Would Wear During Pregnancy

Stack of Safe Nail Polishes for Use During Pregnancy

A good number of females are probably wondering if it is okay to paint their nails while they are expecting. It turns out, you can paint your fingernails and toenails while expecting. But I would advise to do so with caution. Listed here is my approach when it comes to selecting a safe nail polish during pregnancy.

It's Best to Paint Your Nails Outside if Using Traditional Nail Polish

Consider where you are going to do your nails. The best place is somewhere with lots of fresh air. It is smart to stay out of nail parlors while expecting. The biggest risk presented by nail polish and various other nail treatments is smelling injurious fumes. The ingredients in nail treatments could furthermore be soak into your nail bed or mistakenly be eaten when you place your nails up to your lips.

In the event that you visit a nail salon to have your nails painted, you will be vulnerable to the harmful substances in the nails products not only applied to your nails but also those used for everybody else getting their nails painted at the same time. People may recommend bringing along your own less risky nail polishes to the beauty parlor. Unfortunately, you will continue to be around any other chemicals in the parlor.

Stay Away From the Big Three

It is preferable to wear a water-based safe nail polish during pregnancy. If perhaps you might not be willing to shift to a water-based nail lacquer, at the very least select a conventional nail lacquer that is 3 free. A good number of labels of varnish presently are 3 free, which means that they do NOT contain dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, or formaldehyde.

DBP is certainly perilous to expecting females since it is a developmental and reproductive toxicant. Toluene is also dangerous during your pregnancy and may trigger developmental injury to the fetus. Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer and might cause discomfort or an sensitivity on your skin.

When you buy a classic nail polish that is 3 free, it will nonetheless include smelly vapors, so ensure there is reasonable air flow while you are polishing and drying your nails!

I would Only Wear Water Based Nail Polish While Pregnant

Why not pick a water-based safe nail polish during pregnancy? Some advisable safe nail polish labels are Acquarella, Keeki Pure & Simple, and Scotch Naturals.

Avoid Traditional Nail Polish Remover While Pregnant

Traditional nail polish remover, which is acetone based, is often applied to take off solvent-based nail polish and fake nails. Shellac polish is removed utilizing 100% acetone. The possible health impacts of acetone can include eye discomfort, drying of the skin and nails due to frequent or prolonged exposure, and breathing in high levels may trigger nausea, headache, dizziness, unconsciousness, and lung irritation.

A few substitute types of safe nail polish remover are Scotch Naturals soy based remover, Acquarella water-based remover, and Keeki Pure & Simple non-toxic remover.

I Would Not Get Acrylic Nails While Pregnant

The safety concerns regarding wearing fake nails while pregnant entail smelling the dust and fumes and acquiring a bacterial or fungal problem between the acrylic and real nail. Even if you have worn fake nails before getting pregnant, you may be extra sensitive to the fumes and more likely to develop a hypersensitivity.


I say, stay on the safe side while pregnant and only use water-based nail polish and the safe remover that goes with it!

Click here to find additional information about safe nail polish during pregnancy and water-based nail polish for women.