Frequently Asked Questions

Many people argue that nails need a break from polishes. However, when you treat your nails to a manicure, you don’t disturb the living cells of the nails … as they are located under the cuticle in the nail matrix, where they are supplied with blood-enriched oxygen, The nail itself is dead cells composed of protein and keratin, and the nail plate does not ‘breathe’ the air — so it is possible to cover our nails with nail polish and not harm them. In fact, yellow nails are a sign that your nails are stained by you nail lacquer’s pigments. To combat this manicure woe, make it a habit to layer on a base coat and use a non-staining natural nail polish like Earthy Nail Polish. Earthy base coat is not only 79% natural it is also instant drying thus ensuring your manicure is ready in minutes. That being said, harsh ingredients in many regular nail polishes and gel polishes such as toluene, formaldehyde and DBP can cause your nails to become weak, which can turn your nails from long and strong to dry and prone to breakage. But there are some situations that might require a break from nail polish. From harsh nail polish chemicals to the removal process, we can be pretty rough on our nails. If you notice your nails are dry and brittle or prone to breakage, changing your nail polish to a natural version would be a good idea. If your nails are thin to the point that you can bend them easily, it’s time to take a break from nail polish. To help, add a natural nail strengthening polish. However, traditional nail strengtheners can sometimes do more harm than good because of the harsh chemicals found in their formulas. Therefore natural nail strengtheners are your best option. Earthy Strengthener contains Bamboo extract - one of the great natural sources of silica which helps restructure nails keratin. If you consistently wear nail polish, your nails may become susceptible to what’s known as keratin granulation. Keratin granulation is caused by nail polish drying out the nail beds, which can lead to keratin clumping together and forming white spots or stains on your nails. If this is the case, try using Earthy Nail Polish Green SOS between nail applications to restore the condition of the nail. Peeling nails can happen for a few reasons, but one of the main causes is dehydration. If you are experiencing peeling nails, take a break from the polish and focus on moisturising with cuticle oils. Earthy Cuticle Oil is 99% natural and made with intensely nourishing vitamins E, F and C. Peeling nails are also a sign of weak nails. Skipping a manicure or two — and using a nail strengthener instead — can allow them to regain their strength. Instead of exposing your nails to the harshness of acetone, reach for an acetone-free nail polish remover, which often uses hydrating ingredients like oils to nourish and protect while lifting away nail lacquer. Earthy Remover is made without acetone, 99% natural origin and is gentle enough to rub into your nails and cuticles for some added hydration.

Traditional nail polish has acquired a bad reputation, and with good reason, largely due to chemical ingredients and a harsh odour. Besides irritating your senses with a pungent scent, nail polishes contain solvents and some ingredients that can potentially cause health issues and irritation if inhaled in large quantities. The strong aroma may not be the only thing that's harsh about some nail polishes: Chemicals in common nail lacquer formulas could potentially enter the body through your nail beds. The good news: many advancements have been made in nail polish formulations recently. There are options without that particular harmful chemical and other potentially dangerous ingredients, which brings us to so-called "nontoxic" or "natural" nail lacquers. "Natural," much like "clean beauty" is a marketing term that is unregulated so the term itself doesn't have a solid definition when it comes to beauty products. That said, most non-toxic nail polishes are 3-free, meaning they do not contain formaldehyde, toluene or dibutyl phthalate, three known disrupters. You can find more information on what these terms mean below. Products are crossing off 'toxic' ingredients from formulas at rapid speed, and some brands offer vegan and gluten-free options. Many "non-toxic" polishes are 3-free, which means they're formulated without formaldehyde, toluene and Dibutyl phthalate. Here's why: Formaldehyde, an intense smelling and colourless gas, typically used as a nail hardener in nail polishes, has been linked to some types of cancer, including leukaemia in humans when exposed in high amounts. Though formaldehyde does occur naturally in the environment and is present in small amounts in most living organisms, it is recognised as a carcinogen. Toluene is a colourless, sweet-smelling industrial solvent that temporarily affects the nervous system and can cause strong eye and nose irritation as well as dizziness and fatigue when inhaled. It is not characterised as a carcinogen, but is a teratogen, an agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or foetus after prolonged exposure. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is commonly used as a plasticiser to promote material flexibility and reduce brittleness, and it can cause irritations, headaches and dizziness when inhaled. Beyond that, polishes go as far as being 10-, 14- 16- and in the case of Earthy Nail Polish 21-free.

The Safest and Healthiest Manicures are: 1. Natural Manicure 2. Standard Nail Polish Manicure A natural manicure is done to clean and neaten up your nails. It usually doesn’t require the use of any harsh nail products. A natural manicure includes: 1. Fixing and making your cuticles look clean and neat 2. Trimming and shaping your nails 3. Buffing the top of your nails with a fine grit nail file to make them look extra glossy. 4. Applying a top coat to give your nails a glossy sheen but this is optional. Natural manicures tend to be better for your nail health because they: 1. Don’t require the use of any acetone which can damage and dehydrate your nail plate 2. Don’t require too much filing or buffing which can weaken your nail plate – Natural manicures require only gentle buffing with a fine-grit nail buffer 3. You may apply a ridge filler or a top coat to give your natural nails a nice smooth glossy look. Earthy Top Coat is 78% natural origin and gives a beautiful high shine finish and is gentle on your nails. A standard nail polish manicure is one of the simplest and easiest manicures to do. And once you use safe and healthy nail polishes a standard nail polish manicure can be extremely healthy and gentle on your nails. If you want to make your standard nail polish manicure even safer you can: 1. Use a non-toxic or natural origin nail polish such as Earthy – these nail polishes are extremely safe and much gentler on your nails. 2. Use a Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover – Non-Acetone nail polish removers are just as effective as acetone-based ones except they are more safe and gentle on your nails, check out our award-winning 99% natural origin Remover at Earthy Nail Polish.

Regular nail care results in healthy nails and your nail care routine can be pretty simple as well as inexpensive. In fact, being overly aggressive with cleaning and maintaining nails might actually put your normally strong nails at risk for yeast or bacterial infections. You won't need frequent manicures to maintain good-looking nails if you follow these simple tips. As part of your home manicures, make sure you choose acetone-free nail polish remover such as Earthy Remover made with sweet almond oil. Wear gloves for better nail care when working with your hands, such as when you're gardening or housecleaning, to protect the polish and keep dirt out of your nails. If you cut your cuticles back too far or push them around too aggressively, you damage them. That, in turn, leaves your nail bed open to infection. As part of regular nail care to maintain healthy nails, moisturise cuticles and gently push them back and only trim if needed. Earthy Cuticle Oil and Berry Oil provide intense nourishment to help hydrate and protect your nails. Trimming nails regularly helps you to maintain healthy nails and helps to avoid snagging or breaking. How frequently you trim will depend on how fast your nails grow. Use a fine file to smooth out the edges of your nails. As part of your manicures, you can also lightly buff the surface of your nails, especially if you tend to get ridges. When cleaning under the nails, scrub gently with an old-fashioned nail brush for healthy nails instead of using long sharp tools that cause damage. Frequently immersing hands in hot, soapy water to wash dishes can weaken even strong nails, mostly because this process dries them out along with the rest of the skin on your hands. Protective nail care calls for wearing gloves to protect your hands while you scrub. Keep manicures simple to preserve healthy nails.

Plant-based nail polish relies on plant extracts and other natural origin ingredients to create: · Thicker, Stronger, More Durable Nails · Brittle-Free Nails · Chip-Resistant Nails · Moisturised, Hydrated Nails · Break-Resistant Nails · Longer Wear Plant-based nail polish colours do not contain known chemicals such as the carcinogenic "toxic trio": Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate, which are known harmful chemicals. Toluene, used in conventional nail polish for smooth application, and can cause: · Dry or cracked skin · Headaches · Dizziness · Numbness · Eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation · Damage to the liver and kidneys · Harm to unborn children during pregnancy. Formaldehyde acts as a nail hardener in conventional nail polish and can cause: · Difficulty breathing · Coughing · Asthma-like attacks · Wheezing · Allergic reactions · Eye, skin, and throat irritation Formaldehyde has even been linked to causing cancer; some people are more sensitive to Formaldehyde exposure than others. Finally, Dibutyl Phthalate, the plasticiser in conventional nail polish used to prevent brittle nails, can cause: · Nausea · Eye, skin, nose, mouth, & throat irritation Earthy Nail Polish is 21-free, which means that our formula has been created without these harsher chemicals.

Let’s review the main types of polish, and consider the pros and cons of each with an eye toward nail health and safety. Traditional nail polish Classic nail polish is painted onto the nail plate, usually in multiple coats, and then air-dried. Conventional nail polish is a polymer dissolved in a solvent. During the drying process, the solvent evaporates, and the polymer hardens. Pros: Quickly and easily removed with an acetone-based nail polish remover. Because acetone can be harsh, drying, and damaging, less contact time may mean less damage to the nail plate, skin, and cuticles. Cons: Some colours, especially darker colours, can cause non permanent discoloration of the nails. The verdict: We do recommend taking intermittent breaks from polish, and keeping nails and cuticles well-moisturised between manicures. “Natural origin” nail polish Natural origin polishes do not contain specific ingredients: formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. There are also brands that market themselves as being free of more substances, such as 10-free or even 21-free as in the case of Earthy Nail Polish. Formaldehyde is a preservative that has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute as a potential cancer-causing substance. It is also among the most common substances that cause allergic contact dermatitis. Formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene can also cause allergic contact dermatitis. Camphor is an oil that has been long used as a topical remedy for various conditions, but can be toxic if consumed by mouth. Studies have shown that chemicals in nail polish can be absorbed into the body. But the exact amount of absorption, and whether it is enough to have negative health effects, are not well established. Pros: Easy removal process akin to regular polish and contains fewer chemicals that can cause contact dermatitis; may be a good option for those with sensitive skin. Cons: As with regular polish, darker shades may cause non-permanent discolouration of the nails The verdict: This may be a good alternative to conventional polish for those wishing to avoid those particular chemicals. Gel polish Gel polish is painted on and then “cured” under a lamp, which dries and hardens the polish almost instantly. Curing of nail polish means photopolymerization, which is a process during which a liquid absorbs energy from UV or visible light and undergoes cross-linking to become a solid. Most curing lamps emit ultraviolet A light, which is a known cause of cellular damage and aging and increases risk of skin cancer. There are some alternative lamps available that emit LED light; however, they may still emit some UV light. Pros: Longer lasting Cons: Exposure to UV light Removal process of gel polish can be destructive to nails. Removal involves soaking in acetone, and aggressive buffing, scraping, and peeling of polish, which can injure the nail plate. Wearing gel polish for long periods may result in severe brittleness and dryness of the nails. The verdict: Gel polish is unlikely to have long-term negative effects on nail health if used sporadically or for special occasions. Remind your nail technician to avoid aggressive buffing (always avoid electric buffing), and not to scrape the nail plate forcefully. Never peel or pick off gel polish; doing so may peel off layers of the nail plate along with the polish, resulting in brittleness. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes prior to the UV treatment, or wear fingerless gloves while under the lamp. Powder dip polish This manicure entails application of a bonding polish (composed of a resin that is often made up of chemicals used in superglue) that serves as an adhesive for the polish. Next, a finely milled acrylic powder is applied, either by dipping the nail into the powder or brushing it onto the nail. Finally, an activator is applied. This is a liquid containing chemicals that induce polymerization of the resin-containing bonding polish, leaving a hard shell. Pros: No drying lamp needed, therefore no UV exposure. Cons: Sanitation is the major potential issue here. Communal jars of powder may be used for multiple people, which could become a reservoir for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Harsh removal process similar to that of gel, often with use of an electric file, can damage the nail plate and cuticle. The verdict: Unless a salon is transferring the powder into smaller, individual containers for each client, or using a clean brush to apply the powder, we recommend avoiding this type of manicure.

A great way to extend your love for animals to your actions is by using vegan and cruelty-free cosmetics and personal care products. These days, numerous companies at all different price points make great products that are completely free of animal by-products and aren’t tested on animals, meaning it’s easier than ever to have a cruelty-free beauty routine! Why Isn’t Nail Polish Vegan? When nail polish includes animal-derived ingredients, it’s not considered vegan. Animal-based ingredients commonly found in nail polish include: guanine, sometimes listed as pearl essence, which is derived from fish scales and can give nail polish a shine; carmine (aka cochineal), made from boiled and crushed beetles, which is often found in red shades of nail polish (and other red cosmetics); and oleic acid, made from animal fat or tallow, which helps thicken formulas. Additionally, shellac nail polishes are typically made from shellac, a resin that female lac bugs secrete. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to achieve effects like shimmering and the colour red without hurting any animals. What Is Vegan Nail Polish? Vegan nail polish is a nail polish that does not use any animal-derived ingredients. While many major nail polish brands are not vegan, there are also plenty of vegan brands on the market that make colours that are just as vibrant as nail polishes that use carmine and other animal ingredients. A great way to find out if the nail polishes you already own or are considering purchasing are vegan is simply to google “is [brand] vegan?” and if the answer doesn’t autofill, check out the company’s website for more information. What Is Cruelty-Free Nail Polish? When a nail polish is cruelty-free, it means the company has not tested (or paid a third party to test) its products or ingredients on animals. Unfortunately, animal testing is a much more inhumane process than it may seem. But luckily, in 2023, we have plenty of ways of proving that nail polishes are safe to use without hurting any animals. Earthy Nail Polish is certified vegan and is signed up to the gold standard of the cruelty free international leaping bunny program.

Vegan nail polish is defined as being produced without any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products. This means no fish scales, bat faeces, carmine beetles (a common ingredient to make red) or shellac beetles! However, if a product is Vegan it is not necessarily cruelty free as they can still test on animals. Vegan polishes are often made with plant-based ingredients, such as resins, clays, and waxes can be found in a variety of colours and finishes and are just as durable and long-wearing as traditional nail polish. Vegan nail polishes are a great choice for anyone who wants to avoid using animal products, as well as for those who are concerned about the environmental impact of traditional nail polish. If your nail polish has a logo from a recognised body such as The Vegan Society or is certified CFI-Approved, it is vegan and cruelty-free. This means that it has no animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals – making it perfect for vegans. If a product states it is ‘cruelty-free’, you should still check whether it has animal-derived ingredients. It could be that the product is not tested on animals, which is excellent, but it does contain an ingredient such as honey. This, unfortunately, means it is not suitable for vegan clients. Similarly, if a nail polish states it is vegan without the approval of a recognised vegan or cruelty-free organisation, you might want to check whether it has been tested on animals. To adequately cater for vegans, the nail polish you use in your manicure should neither be tested on animals nor contain any animal-derived ingredients. Another issue to be aware of is whether a more giant corporation owns your nail polish brand. Many brands offer single products that contain no animal products and aren’t tested on animals, but the company that owns it does. This is still a no-go area for many vegans, so. Finally – to add further confusion! – there is another term often used in conjunction with vegan nail polish. ‘Non-toxic’ nail polishes are sometimes combined with vegan nail polishes, but they are not the same. Non-toxic nail polish is made without using any strong chemicals traditionally used in lacquers. This means they are less harsh to apply to the nail but again does not mean they are vegan or cruelty-free.

Earthy nail polish was born from a frustration towards unsustainable cosmetic products that do more harm than good to your nails. Our mission is to provide the highest quality product with the least impact on the environment. This is achieved by using natural origin and bio-sourced materials with sustainable packaging. To this end, we have produced a 21 free, natural origin nail polish that is vegan and cruelty free accredited by The Vegan Society and and is signed up to the gold standard of Cruelty Free International leaping bunny program. In addition, we have developed a unique and highly sustainable bamboo cap that is decomposable. We also operate a return reuse programme. This programme allows for a circular economy with the materials used. The program works by returning the used nail polish bottles and bamboo caps to us. We then clean, sterilise and reuse the materials.

Vegan nail polish can easily be removed using any regular remover. However, the key ingredient in regular nail polish remover is often acetone, a liquid solvent that has the ability to break down substances. For that reason, it's also used in products like paint removers or degreasers. However, while the solvent is powerful at getting the job done (i.e., removing varnish from your nails), it's not always the best for nail health. Because acetone is dehydrating, it can leave nails feeling dry and brittle and many people don’t realise that the damage that we do to our nails is not from the polish but rather the remover. While many professionals still use acetone on gel polish or acrylics, at home, it's easy to find acetone-free options. Earthy Nail Polish Remover is acetone and acetate free and doesn't have the harsh odour that normal Removers have. As well as solvents, nail polish removers can also include animal ingredients. Lanolin, for example, is often added to try and reduce the amount of moisture lost by using acetone. A popular emollient in the cosmetics industry, lanolin comes from sheep. The waxy substance, secreted by the animals' sebaceous glands, helps to keep their wool fluffy and dry. But while it may be moisturising for humans, lanolin is a by-product of a cruel industry. Another animal ingredient often used in nail polish is collagen, which usually comes from bovine sources, although it can also come from fish. It is extracted from bones, hooves, and hides, and is used in nail polish remover for its nail-strengthening properties. However, neither collagen nor lanolin are needed in nail polish remover. In fact, brands now sell vegan versions of the product. Earthy Remover is not only animal-free, but also cruelty-free. Animal testing has no place in the beauty industry.

Vegan nail polishes are for everyone. If you are thinking about making the change but have not as yet, read on to find vegan nail polish switch reasons that will leave you in no doubt of the benefits of such a move. FREE FROM TOXIC INGREDIENTS One of the main benefits of switching to vegan polishes is that you are not exposed to harmful chemicals which are found in regular nail polishes. Vegan nail polishes use the term ‘paraben free’ which lets you as the consumer know that harmful chemicals are not part of their formula. They also do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or pigments. Traditional nail polish uses three main chemicals, Toluene, Formaldehyde and Phthalates, that are known to be harmful with long term use. For nail polishes key ingredients also include the compounds that give them their colour. These pigments can be both carbon-based/organic or inorganic, which includes the use of iron oxide for reds and oranges, chromium oxide for greens and ferric ferrocyanide for blues. Vegan nail polishes use the carbon based or organic option. CONTAINS NO ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS Even today, sadly, most traditional nail polishes do still include animal-derived ingredients. Many top brands are working to reduce these in their products, but they have not been eliminated completely. However, a plant-based nail polish contains no animal by-products as everything used is predominantly natural and sourced from plants so there are no synthetic harsh ingredients to cause harm or irritation to your skin. Using animal derived ingredients to manufacture cosmetics is a form of animal cruelty. BETTER OPTION FOR SENSITIVE AND ALLERGY PRONE SKIN With no animal products or by-products or toxic chemicals vegan friendly nail polishes are genuinely gentler on your nails and skin. This makes them safer for continuous use especially because they are organic and contain natural vitamins that counter nail damage. Further the natural benefits of the plant-based ingredients help nourish nails and keep them healthy and strong. This is why an increasing number of nail salons offer vegan friendly nail care for customers. QUALITY Most top vegan brands go through stringent vetting processes to be certified as a Vegan product, so consumers can be assured of their quality. If you see the Vegan Society certification or any other recognised vegan certification on a product you can be assured that you are buying a quality product. Earthy Nail Polish are proudly accredited by the Vegan Society as well as signed up to the gold standard of Cruelty Free International leaping bunny program. NO DAMAGING EFFECT ON NAILS No harmful or toxic chemicals especially the lack of the five most toxic chemicals found in traditional nail polishes, that of dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resins, toluene or camphor, means that your nails will not suffer when you use vegan nail polish. You can use vegan nail polish as often as you like without worrying about your nails becoming weak or brittle. Earthy nail polish contains added magnesium and calcium which improves the condition of your nails with extended use.

One of the main benefits of switching to Earthy Nail Polish is that you are not exposed to harmful chemicals which are found in regular nail polishes. Earthy Nail Polish is derived from natural plant-based ingredients which lets you as the consumer know that harmful chemicals are not part of our formula. Our products do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or pigments. Even today, sadly, most traditional nail polishes do still include animal-derived ingredients. However, our plant-based nail polish contains no animal by-products as everything used is predominantly natural and sourced from plants so there are no synthetic harsh ingredients to cause harm or irritation to your skin. Using animal derived ingredients to manufacture cosmetics is a form of animal cruelty. With no animal products or by-products or toxic chemicals Earthy Nail Polishes are genuinely gentler on your nails and skin. This makes them safer for continuous use especially because they are organic and contain natural vitamins that counter nail damage. Further the natural benefits of the plant-based ingredients help nourish nails and keep them healthy and strong. Earthy’s formula does not include the most harmful chemicals especially the lack of the five most toxic chemicals found in traditional nail polishes, that of dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resins, toluene or camphor, means that your nails will not suffer when you use Earthy Nail Polish. You can use our nail polish as often as you like without worrying about your nails becoming weak or brittle.

Earthy Nail Polish is a 21 free, vegan nail polish, which means that our formula does not include the most toxic chemicals that most regular nail polish brands may contain. Our vegan nail polish is derived from plant extracts and natural ingredients. In fact, using our nail polishes on a regular basis can help improve your nail health and appearance. Colouring and binding is still used to get the 40 shades.

Earthy Nail Polish is a 79% natural origin vegan nail polish, which means that our formula does not include the most toxic chemicals that most regular nail polish brands may contain. Our plant-based nail polish is derived from corn, sugar cane and cassava. The colouring elements of our formula do have a slight odour which is harmless and disappears once the nail polish has dried.

We pledge to continuously improve the sustainability of our products and are proud to offer a return reuse programme. This programme allows for a circular economy with the materials used. The programme works by returning the empty nail polish bottles and bamboo caps to us. We clean, sterilise, and reuse the materials. Anything that is beyond use is processed through our recycling management partner. ​ Please return your used bottles and caps in person or by post to: Red Brick Market 119 Floodgate Street Digbeth Birmingham B5 5SR

Pregnant women who are concerned about exposure to chemicals in nail polish can choose Earthy Nail Polish that is 21-free and does not contain the potentially worrisome chemicals.

We supply our products to spas, zero-waste shops and vegan stores and are happy to provide wholesale pricing, if you would like more information, please contact us at info@cosmeticconsultingcompany.com

Earthy Nail Polish is a 21 free formula and does not contain the potentially harmful chemicals that many polishes contain. Therefore, it is safe for children to wear, however you may avoid nail polish in younger children, under the age of 3 due to this age group sucking fingers which may cause accidental ingestion of the nail polish.

Our award-winning Remover is 99% natural and 100% acetone and acetate free. The main ingredient is a nourishing almond oil that gently removes the polish whilst hydrating the cuticle and nails. See video below for instructions on how to use;

Earthy Nail Polish is made with natural origin ingredients and is therefore kinder and gentler on your nails. To ensure your manicure lasts longer, always use our top and base coats, this will not only give you a perfect high shine finish but will allow your polish to last longer. Our plant-based treatments such as Strengthener, Cuticle Oils and Green SOS help to repair damaged or brittle nails and provide nourishment and hydration with our vitamin packed vegan formulas.

No, there is a common misconception regarding plasticisers. Nail polish contain plasticisers which help form the film of the nail polish. Plasticizers can be added to plastic to make them more softer and bendable but plasticisers are not in itself plastic. The polymer bonds made by the plasticiers in nail polish break down and dissolve once in contact with remover.