All Lacquered Up - A Nail Polish Fanatic's Resource

Big 3 Free. Non-toxic. Chemical-free. Water-based. Pregnancy Safe. Healthy. Eco-conscious. These are all buzz words that the polish industry throws at us to make their product look healthier, more eco-friendly, safer, etc. but, what does it all mean and who makes what?

If you haven't read my post about Big 3 Free nail polish, I suggest you start there to familiarize yourself with the ingredients the term refers to. I use "healthier" in quotes to describe these lacquers since the jury is still out as to whether traditional formulas are really a health risk.

OK so you want a polish with less chemicals for health or environmental reasons. Which one is right for you? It all depends on the ingredients you want to avoid. Here I've broken down the brands according to what is excluded. I tried to cover the majority of the big and cult brands but if I missed one and you have ingredient info to share, please post it in the comments.

Of course, if you have allergies I suggest you still read the labels before buying. And remember, older formulas are still out there for brands that have made the switch to Big 3 Free.

Formaldehyde and DBP Free - Carolyn New York, CND (Creative Nail Design), Misa and NYX

Big 3 Free - butter London, Calvin Klein, China Glaze (black label), Color Club, Hard Candy, Maybelline, Nicole, OPI (green label) and Sally Hansen

Big 3 Free, No Formaldehyde Resin - MAC, N.Y.C. Colors, Nailtini (except Vodka), NARS, Nocti, Orly, PeaceKeeper, Rescue Beauty Lounge, SpaRitual, Wet n' Wild and Zoya

Big 3 Free, No Formaldehyde Resin, No Camphor - Chanel, Dashing Diva, Estee Lauder, Lippmann, L'oreal, No-Miss, Nubar, Revlon, Sante and Sinful Colors

Water based, Big 3 Free, No Formaldehyde Resin, No Camphor, No Ethyl Acetate - Acquarella, Honeybee Gardens and Suncoat

So, how do these brands compare to their more chemical laden competition? Have you made the switch to less toxic polish? What has been the big difference in doing so?

While you're at it, head on over to Total Beauty and give them a review. You could win a Saturn Vue Hybrid filled with eco-beauty products OR one of the many Daily Instant Win prizes.

24 comments:

Jennifer said...: When I heard that formaldehyde was in certain nail polishes, I freaked. I'm so glad you broke down which brands don't contain ingredients that are harmful to humans and the environment. Thanks for this!; April 23, 2008 7:08 AM
Anonymous said...: It may be more expensive than other brands, but Chanel is among the best in quality (in my experience), in terms of application and duration. Plus its big 3 free, which just goes to show that those chemicals don't necessarily make better NP.

I just wonder though, whether the replacement chemicals they use are much safer. How do we know?

Its an interesting topic though, and fascinating to see just how many brands have ditched the big 3...; April 23, 2008 9:19 AM
sarasotagirl said...: Isn't it amazing how polishes that are equally "big-3-free" or whatever can apply and wear so differently? Some of my faves and some of my least-faves are in the same categories.

Goes to show it might not be the big bad chemicals that are doing good ... or bad. I do wish OPI would improve its new formula, though.; April 23, 2008 9:28 AM
vbie3714 said...: Thank you so much for posting this! Very interesting, but also good to know!; April 23, 2008 10:34 AM
Anonymous said...: How does Boundless Color match up? They carry my favorite shade of red.; April 23, 2008 10:44 AM
firepail said...: wait, so ButterLondon is saying that it is better [chemically] than OPI but both of them are currently in the same category? Where does Essie fit in? Does Essie have all the bad stuff?; April 23, 2008 3:22 PM
Andie said...: i believe essie's formula still contains some of the bad stuff...; April 23, 2008 4:44 PM
firepail said...: Crud! I was just admiring Essie's summer 2008 collection!; April 23, 2008 5:30 PM
Laura said...: Thank you SO much for this - as someone trying to avoid DBP this makes the task SO much easier! (and thanks for your earlier big 3 free post, too!); April 23, 2008 7:01 PM
Sigrun said...: What do you mean by the labels in "China glaze (black label) and OPI (green label)"? Are there any OPIs with a green label?; April 24, 2008 2:59 AM
msnotty said...: Thanks for this very, very useful entry! I loved it!; April 24, 2008 4:32 AM
Anonymous said...: Sigrun-

If you look on the bottom of OPI bottles the name and bar code will be either in green or black. If you buy your OPI in a store that sells alot of it, most of the bottles will be green.; April 24, 2008 8:36 AM
Emelie said...: Thank you so much for this entry! I've bookmarked it because it was so good.; April 24, 2008 1:14 PM
CincyFan said...: Sarasota Girl - I suppose it's no different than having formula preferences with any product. Just because they are 3 Free doesn't mean their bases are all alike.

Firepail - I'm waiting for confirmation but I believe Essie has made the transition as well. I received their summer collection yesterday and the labels are now missing the Big 3. I'll update you when I know if the change is permanent.

Sigrun - Sorry for not being more specific. The China Glaze polishes with the new formula have bottom labels that are black with white writing. And like Anon said, OPI started using green lettering instead of black when they made the switch.; April 24, 2008 1:21 PM
firepail said...: oh good, because I *need* Essie's Guilty Pleasures =); April 24, 2008 1:57 PM
Sigrun said...: Thanks for getting back to me about the labels :) And thanks for a great blog!!; April 25, 2008 1:09 AM
Anonymous said...: where can i buy china glaze? there is no retailer locator on the website. is there any possible way i can buy it in a store because i like looking at the bottle b4 i buy which i can't do online.

thanks(:; April 25, 2008 2:49 AM
kyutie said...: Wow, I love the colors! It made me so happy looking at them... I'm glad that its safe even for pregnant women..

take care...
love lots,
http://www.kyutie.com; April 25, 2008 3:12 PM
Anonymous said...: Just wanted to let you know that Go Natural is another brand of water-based nailpolish that should be in that last group.

Thanks for the great article!; April 26, 2008 3:17 PM
Ms Moore said...: After I read this, I e-mailed CHI (which I've been wearing rather obsessively lately). They say: "Yes, our product is 3 FREE; No Formaldehyde, No Toluene, No DBP. We have great products that are healthy for the environment, professional technician, and end user." Thought someone else might find that useful!

I hadn't really thought about the implications of being a nail tech and having long-term, extended exposure to polish/fumes...; May 2, 2008 10:22 PM
Anonymous said...: I was just wondering, do they new OPI and China Glaze formulas only apply to new colors, or are all colors now being made with the new formula? Also, which is first big 3 free OPI collection? Thanks.; May 5, 2008 11:56 PM
CincyFan said...: anon #6 - OPI and China Glaze are reformulating all their colors but it takes time for it to reach the shelves. Some stores may have old stock so be sure to check the labels.; May 7, 2008 5:08 PM
Kathy said...: Hi All, thanks so much for your very useful info. I'm re-entering the nail biz after taking a break from it for several years. I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help me with.
When doing a pedi on an older person their nails tend to be thick and rough. How do I apply polish smoothly to a nail that has a very rough or uneven texture even after I have buffed it?
Also, have you found that some of the "Big 3 Free" polishes are a thinner consistency which makes it even more difficult to cover a nail of this type?

Thanks for your help!; May 7, 2008 8:04 PM
Anonymous said...: formaldehyde and other "dangerous" chemicals are nearly everywhere: in your car, carpet, paint, plastic, laminates, glue, air pollution, bottled water, car exhaust, synthetic clothing, computers, we all breathe and ingest them everyday...; May 13, 2008 12:05 PM