Fun fact. Nail polish originated in China, dating back to 3000 years BC. Empirical women would soak their nails overnight in a peculiar mixture of beeswax, gelatin, and egg whites. Natural dyes made of orchids and roses were then applied to nails. This nail color was used by the ruling class only, to distinguish themselves from the lower classes. If commoners were caught with colored nails, they would be executed.
Well okay, not such a “fun” fact. However, ancient manicures were natural and leaned in the direction of “clean” beauty standards today. Not all processes and polishes are completely clean, but the nail industry is getting there. So, while we no longer need to worry about being picked off for painting our nails, we should at least be concerned about keeping our nails healthy.
Appliqué Nails are an instant nail-art manicure. Clean nail-art gels made with vegan polish are toxin and cruelty-free, non-damaging, with no dry time, and they are removable with warm water. Aquamarine by botanist Jen Wonders for Appliqué, $18. Available at Welwythn in the Prairie Village Shops.
Les Mains Hermes Nail Enamels is intense color containing a high concentration of ultra-fine pigments. Its formula, made in France, is composed of at least 71 percent ingredients of natural origin. $50 each.
Gelcare is an exceptional Canadian line of DIY gel nail-art products, including full kits with tools, LED lamps, and moisture-rich oils, softeners, and solutions. The Gelcare Dotting Tool allows for creating fun designs, $11.
Gucci’s Vernis à Ongles line contains none of the 12 toxins commonly found in nail polishes, including xylene, ethyl tosylamide, and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP). $30 each
The new French manicure is dressed up with metallic sparkle on 1950s shaped long nails. Gelcare Silver Velvet is a unique polish that features particles that come to life with the stroke of a magnet. $21 for polish and magnet by Gelcare.
Bachca Paris Precision Nail Clippers, $12, available at The Grove Spa in the Brookside Shops. Zwilling Twinox Combination Scissors have a precise and ergonomic design, with extra sharp blades to trim nails with meticulous accuracy. $40.
TIPS from the AMERICAN ACADEMY of DERMATOLOGY
Choose soak-off gel nails instead of acrylic nails so your own nails will be less likely to crack. Go to a salon that uses LED curing light rather than a UV curing light. It cures more quickly and emits less damaging UV radiation. Ask your technician to skip the cuticle trimming to protect your surrounding skin from infection. Reserve artificial nails for special occasions to give you natural nails a chance to repair themselves.
MANICURISTS TO FOLLOW ON INSTA