BellaSugar

Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP-Free Nail Polishes

BellaSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:00:58 -0700

Ask and you shall receive. I read your comments on yesterday's post about nail polishes that contain formaldehyde, and I wanted to respond by giving you a few safer suggestions. Brands such as Butter London and Priti Polish are free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP - and here are some other options.

Some "three-free" polishes
Avon	Peacekeeper
China Glaze	Rescue Beauty Lounge
Elizabeth Arden	Revlon
L'Oreal	Rimmel
Lippmann Collection (newer formula)	Sally Hansen
Maybelline Salon Expert
Nars (newer formula)	Spa Ritual
OPI (newer polishes are safe, but some hardeners use formaldehyde)	Zoya

For a few of my favorite safe-polish picks, read more.

Nars Nail Polish ($16) has developed an improved formula. The varnishes are now enhanced with UV protection, have a glossier finish, and supposedly last longer without chipping (I haven't reached a verdict on this just yet). They are also free of formaldehyde, DBP and toluene - which I think makes the smell less severe.

The polishes in the Lippman Collection ($15) are now not only free of DBP, formaldehyde and toluene, but they also contain green tea and biotin (protein) to help your nails grow stronger. The formula dries quickly and has a really nice shine. I personally love the two new spring colors. Have you had the chance to check out Dream a Little Dream of Me yet?

Adorée Professional Nail Polish ($5) has more than 140 different nail colors in its range. While they are free of the "big three" polish no-no's, they do contain hardeners to help strengthen nails, and they claim to provide a high-shine finish.

Definition: Formaldehyde

BellaSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:00:52 -0700

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent, unpleasant odor. It is found in many household products such as glues, adhesives, paper product coatings, and in some insulation materials. It is used as a bacterial disinfectant and embalming fluid, and it's a common treatment for warts since it dries out the skin.

Formaldehyde is also a preservative often found in nail polish. It helps harden the lacquer and prevent it from chipping. Unfortunately, it is highly flammable, toxic and is proven to be carcinogenic in animals (with studies linking it to human cancer too). Breathing in formaldehyde can be detrimental to your lungs, eyes, throat and nose when inhaled. It can also lead to headaches, fatigue and dizziness.

Since there are many formaldehyde-free nail varnishes on the market, it's important to be aware of labels and to choose your products wisely. And I would stay far away from hair-straightening treatments that use formaldehyde. After all, beauty products are intended to enhance your body, not harm it .

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Beauty Byte: Consumer Group Questions Carcinogenic Chemicals in Johnson & Johnson Products

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 12:00:02 -0700

No more tears, but something more harmful lurks inside? That's what the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics would lead you to believe. The coalition of health, environmental, and consumer groups - armed with a letter signed by nearly 50 groups totaling some 1.7 million members - approached Johnson & Johnson to ask that the company reformulate its products to be free of chemicals suspected of causing cancer.

The substances in question are 1,4-dioxane (a byproduct of the manufacturing process) the preservative formaldehyde, which is slowly released by a chemical called Quaternium-15, both probable human carcinogens . . . and both found in the much-loved Johnson's Baby Shampoo, marketed as the "number-one choice of hospitals." Um, eek. According to a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson:

The trace levels of certain compounds that were noted by the Campaign For Safe Cosmetics can result from processes that make our products gentle for babies and safe from bacteria growth. Many regulatory agencies around the world consider these trace levels safe.

The quantity in question in the baby shampoo is 210 parts per million of formaldehyde and a "low level" of 1,4-dioxane, amounts thought to be absorbed by the skin. But if the two chemicals were food additives, they'd have to be tested before being sold to prove they didn't contain dangerous chemicals . . . and these two would fail. Since the FDA is not involved in cosmetic product regulation, the point is (somewhat) lost but shocking nonetheless. Does this news change your views or do you consider it just a drop in the bucket?

Is Your Favorite Polish "Three Free"?

BellaSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:01:38 -0700

Eliminate one more question to ask yourself when picking your polish - not only choose the right shade, but know if the bottle you grab is free of the toxic trio! We've talked about the chemicals - toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate - when greening our home manicure. And now there's an cheat sheet to know which brands are safe at the shop or salon.

The National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance surveyed product manufacturers and found that 74 percent of polishes were entirely "three free." Yay. If you're curious whether your favorite brand is in the clear, print the downloadable card - it's as easy as one, two, three when you cut, fold, and save the wallet-sized sheet as a reference.

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How-To: "Green" Your Manicure

BellaSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:00:51 -0800

Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate - all chemicals considered dangerous for our bodies and the environment, and yet they are still found in many nail products. Sophie Uliano is the author of Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life ($15.25), where she discusses everything from choosing an earth-friendly lipstick to preparing eco-conscious treats.
Last year, Uliano appeared on Oprah with her friend Julia Roberts to celebrate Earth Day. And now, she has some tips for greening your manicure, along with specific product suggestions she shared with me. Uliano recommends mixing up a "gorgeously green" bag to take with you to your next manicure. Find out her suggestions when you read more.

Non-toxic polish: Try No-Miss Nail Polish ($7), which can be found at Whole Foods. Uliano also recommends Spa Ritual Nail Lacquer ($12).
Paraben-free lotion: Uliano likes SpaRitual products. Try Instinctual Moisturizing Lotion ($28) or Cuti-Quench Cuticle and Skin Conditioning Creme ($15).
Soy-based polish remover: Uliano calls Priti's Soy Nail Polish Remover ($22.50) "awesome."
Tea tree oil: For a foot and hand soak try Desert Essence Organic Tea Tree Oil ($9).

The Liquid Keratin Diaries: Part I

BellaSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:00:08 -0800

I've had Liquid Keratin ($69) on my to-try list for a while now, and its time has come. If you're unfamiliar with this product, the 30-day home treatment starter set should smooth, strengthen, soften, and give you frizz-free manageable hair that lasts up to six weeks . . . according to the box, that is. All of that sounded fantastic, so I was ready to test it out on my chemically relaxed tresses to see if those words rang true.

The first step requires washing hair only with the provided shampoo and spraying the treatment on damp hair afterward. After letting this sit for 30 minutes, hair must be blow-dried and flat-ironed to activate and seal in the treatment with heat. This was a change for me, as I usually commit to adding product and air-drying or blow-drying, so I was expecting my hair to get bigger by the moment. It actually was less poofy than it would have been normally so that's a good sign, right? Instead of taking you through all the notes I took along the way, find my major pros and cons from step one when you read more.

Pros:

Its mild, soapy smell was pleasant but not overwhelming.
The product is safe for colored, chemically treated, and different hair types and textures (with no formaldehyde).
My hair was noticeably softer afterward.

Cons:

The treatment bottle's raindrop shape causes the pointy part to hit right between my thumb and forefinger while spraying . . . which meant after about a minute my hand was throbbing.
Sadly, for my hair texture, "softer" translated to fluffier with more flyaways. I can't say for certain if that's unique to my texture - I have thick but not coarse biracial hair - or just because of the variation from my normal routine.

A couple points to note: You can't put on any other products when blow-drying hair (heat protectant is built in) but this can be difficult if you're used to the serum-smooth look. So far my hair's looking OK, but nothing outstanding yet. However, you must wait 48 hours before washing hair again to neutralize the treatment and start to see the real results, so I'll be updating you again then!

How To Strengthen Your Nails

BellaSugar — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:00:14 -0700

With my nail polish collection rapidly growing, I've been switching polish colors as often as possible - which, of course, causes problems with my nails. So I thought it would be a good idea to give you some tips on how to protect your nails from damage, as well as help fix already-damaged ones. Vertical ridges, white marks, spots, peeling and brittleness are normal signs of neglected nails. Anything else strange going on with your nails could be an indication of a health problem. There's no need to freak out, but keep an eye on it and see a doctor if you suspect there's something funky going on there.

To see how to protect and strengthen your nails, read more.

Use a base coat: Using a base coat before applying color will protect your nails from any harmful chemicals in your polish, and also help prevent the polish from staining your nails. I like Butter London Nail Foundation, especially because it's formaldehyde-free.
Keep it short: Long nails are more likely to snag and tear. The best shape for your nail's health is square and slightly rounded on the top (some call this "squoval"). Clean under the nails regularly, and file any snags as soon as they happen.
Just say no ...to toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP, that is. These common nail polish ingredients can dry out and damage your nails, and formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. To see which nail polish brands are "three-free," check out this post.
Reduce remover: Ideally, you should limit your nail polish remover usage to twice a month. I know that sounds difficult, but try extending your manicures with a rock-solid top coat, like my personal favorite, Seche Vite. When it's time to remove your polish, use a non-acetone remover, and let nails breathe for a few days in between applications.
Soak: If, despite your best efforts, your nails end up a brittle, peeling mess, treat them to a warm oil soak. Just heat some bath or olive oil in the microwave, then dip your fingertips in for about 10-15 minutes. When you're finished, rub generous amounts of lotion or a good cuticle cream into your nails and cuticles. I'm a fan of Kiehl's Imperiale Cuticle Treatment ($19.50).

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How-To: Healthy Nails

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:00:20 -0700

I've been a nail-biter for two solid decades and what remains of my once elegant hands are so very sad. My nail beds are short and stumpy and my cuticles are pink, jagged and puffy. Every year I make a resolution to stop gnawing my nubs, and this time I'm going to do it. If you're wondering how to keep your hands healthy and looking their best, here are a few tips to help you along the way.

A nail should ideally have smooth skin folds (the area around your nail), flesh-colored cuticles (not raised or puffy) and a white lunula (half-moon shape at the bottom of your nail bed). Nails should also be consistent in color and free of horizontal ridges and dents. If your nails have any of these conditions, it could be indicative of illness.
White spots on your fingernails are OK. They are caused by injury and will typically grow out. However, red, black, green and yellow spots should be brought to the attention of a physician.
Avoid picking at your cuticles. This can lead to cuts and infection. Have a manicurist push them back manicures with clean tools (you don't want to contract a fungus).
Moisturize your cuticles and nails often. Whenever possible, apply a hydrating cream and wear white, cotton gloves before bed (as a deep conditioning treatment).
Short, square shaped nails (with rounded edges) are the easiest to maintain. Keep them covered with a hardener, polish or treatment that is free of toluene, DPB and formaldehyde. Also, I recommend an acetone-free polish so you don't dry out your nails and cuticles.
Did you know that nails grow around 0.1 millimeters a day? This means that your nails take about four to six months for full re-growth. So be patient if you don't see results instantaneously.

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A Little Slice of the Italian Riviera Right Here at Home

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:00:11 -0700

Recently, I introduced you to the new world of Borghese nail lacquers and their awesome double brushes. Since I'm such a fan, I thought you'd like to hear about the most recent Summer 2008 launch called Portofino Del Sole. The collection includes six shimmery shades that were inspired by the breathtaking landscape in Portofino, Italy - a Mediterranean port and destination for the rich and lavish.

I'm not much of a shimmer fan when it comes to my nails (especially reds or lavenders), but I'll rock just about anything on my toes. After trying out Florentine Gold, I'm smitten. Not only do I love the authentic, yellowy pale gold color, but I gave myself a quickie pedicure last night and was pleased that it didn't streak at all and that the polish dried relatively quickly. Also, I'll remind you again that the lacquers are free of DBPs, toluene, and formaldehyde - and they leave you with a long-lasting shine. What else is there to say besides, bellissima!

To read a description of each of the shades in the collection, read more.

Florentine Gold is a medium-toned, frosty gold.
Portofino Gold is a shimmery pinky-gold.
Bronzatta Gold is a pale bronze.
Siena Gold is a gingery, pink-copper.
Rubioso Gold is an icy, frosted ruby shade.
Amethysta Gold is a mauvey-lilac.

Trend Alert: Grenadine-Colored Beauty Products

BellaSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:00:11 -0700

Grenadine is a sugary, pomegranate-colored syrup often used in cocktails to give them a sweet flavor and a pink tint. It's a popular mixer that has been around for ages, so it's really no surprise why cosmetic companies are inspired by its allure. Here are a few new Summer 2008 grenadine beauty products for you to check out.

Chanel Sheer Lip Colouring Pencil ($27) is a bright, yet sheer poppy (coralish-red) colored lip liner that glides on creamy and stays moist. It's great to wear alone (I like mine with a clear gloss on top, so it looks more like a stain) or under a lipstick to create depth and definition. Also, I love that it comes with its own sharpener.

Nailtini Grenadine Nail Lacquer ($12) is a bright pink DBP-, toluene-, and formaldehyde-free nail polish that can be layered with either a black- or white-base coat to make nails lighter or darker. I love this concept and the fact that Nailtini polishes dry so quickly. To check out more cocktail-inspired shades from this line, click here.

L'Oreal Infallible Lip Color in Grenadine ($7.99) is a shiny brick brownish-red lip color that is intended to last all day long without having to be reapplied. It involves a two-step process - first you apply a slick color and wait for it to dry and then you apply a clear topcoat. Check out pictures of my lips to judge for yourself if this is something you'd be into.