Our Product Review - Nail Polish

Nail Polish

Brand Name: Suncoat

Product Name: Water-based nail polish - Golden Peach (05), Rose (07)

Cost: $9.99 for 15ml/0.5 oz

Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Planet Botanix, The Big Carrot, Natural Health food Stores

Tester: Patti and Claire

Rating (out of 5): 2 for hands and 5 for toes

Comments: This is the first water-based polish I tried. My daughter and I each picked out a colour and were set for "girl time". We applied and you definitely need 2-3 coats as it goes on a bit streaky. It looked good when applied in the evening but after a shower, it started to chip off at the ends. I touched up and by the end of day was chipped again. I love the idea of water-based nail polish, so when I use this polish again I'll apply a topcoat as it can extend the wear of polish. This Canadian made product was developed by a mother who was concerned about her daughter using acetate-based polish - and Suncoat is a viable alternative. There are many of colours to choose from.

Ingredients: Aqua (water), acrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylate copolymer, Glycol ether, Benzoate ester, [+/- mica], [+/-iron oxide], [+/-titanium dioxide], +/-ultramarine blue], [+/-Ferric Ferrocyanide]
*Certified organic

Brand Name: Suncoat

Product Name: Water-based nail polish - Peach lover (03), Red N'red (18)

Cost: $9.99 for 15ml/0.5 oz

Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Planet Botanix, The Big Carrot, Natural Health food Stores

Tester: Ally (7 yrs old) and Tamey

Rating (out of 5): 4.5 for Toes

Comments: As with Patti and Claire this was the first time that Ally and I used a water-based nail polish. On a monthly basis Ally and I have pedicure night and this polish passed with flying colours! Ally was very happy with her colour, as she doesn't like it too dark. I must mention that I did apply three coats on our toes, where I generally put on two - not a large price to pay for a less toxic product. The other huge perk with this product is the smell - yes there is still a scent but it is so mild - a real bonus.

On a final note it has been on our toes for about 2 weeks as I have yet to buy the Suncoat nail polish remover!

Brand Name: Honeybee Gardens

Product Name: WaterColors - Water-based Nail Enamel, Goddess

Cost: $ 6.99 for 1.4 ml

Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: On-line from Honeybee Gardens

Tester: Patti

Rating (out of 5): 4

Comments: I was excited to try another brand of polish as an alternative to solvent-based nail enamel. I tried it on my toes. The Honeybee Gardens website said "You may find this product is a bit more difficult to remove from toe nails, because toe nails are naturally more dry and have less natural oils." Yikes - was it ever. It took a good soak and scrub (and pick) to remove this polish from my toes. On the good side - it LASTED for weeks. So if you're like me - and want to coat the toes for the summer - you will only have to do it a few times. I purchased this polish on-line and received the product with 2 weeks - which seemed a bit long but I assume was due to Customs.

This polish is rated a low risk - in fact ranked the lowest by the Environmental Working Group Skin Deep cosmetics database.

Ingredients: water, water-miscible acrylic, polyurethane formers and thickeners, non-ionic soaps. May contain: ultramarine blue, carmine, mica, iron oxides, and/or titanium dioxide.

Remover

Brand Name: Suncoat

Product Name: Natural Nail Polish Remover - 100% Soya & Corn Based

Cost: $6.99 for 30 ml / 1 oz

Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: Planet Botanix, The Big Carrot, Natural Health food Stores

Tester: Patti

Rating (out of 5): 3

Comments: This made-in-Canada remover reportedly works for both water-based nail polish and conventional nail polish. I used it to remove the Suncoat water-based nail polish from my toenails. It had a scent, not as strong as conventional removers but enough for hubby to ask, "What is that you're using?" You must hold a moistened cotton swab on the polish, as it needs to soak in to work (as per directions). Holding and holding and holding some more - Eventually the polish comes off - but not without a lot of scrubbing and swabbing.
This product uses d-limonene, a chemical sourced from natural citrus products. It is used as a solvent in many cleaning products to replace more toxic substances. Strong concentrations may irritate eye and skin and vapours may trigger respiratory distress. See Ingredients to Avoid in our cleaning pages.

Ingredients: methyl lactate (soya ester), vegetable glycerine, d-limonene.

Brand Name: Honeybee Gardens

Product Name: Odorless Nail Polish Remover 4 oz.

Cost: $1.99 for 38ml. (sample sized)

Where did we get it? Where have we seen it?: On-line from Honeybee Gardens

Tester: Patti

Rating (out of 5): 4.5

Comments: This "odourless" polish remover is just that - odourless! I didn't have to hide out in the bathroom with the door closed, like I would of if I was using traditional acetate remover. The product did remove the polish - but like the Web site said "It may take a few swipes longer than you're used to, but the product will come off." Is it worth the time and effort - to reduce the chemical exposure for my daughter and I? I'd say yes. Remover must be used with the Honeybee Gardens nail polish.

Ingredients: methanol, methyldiglycol, trimethyl hydroxypentyl isobutyrate, equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, denatonium benzoate (bittering agent).