I Tried 3 Vegan Nail Polishes Created By WOC
Over time, I'm learning that a lot of favorite products aren't really good for me.
In fact, a lot of brands use harmful chemicals in their products that can have some serious effects on our health. Lately, I've noticed that my nails were becoming super brittle and broke off with the slightest touch. In efforts to achieve good nail health, I cut out tips and acrylic and took it back to simple manicures. While on the hunt for ways to heal my damaged nails, I came across vegan nail polish. If you're like me, then you're probably wondering, what's the difference? Well, many vegan nail polishes contain vitamins and minerals that can help your nails become stronger and more durable, helping it to serve as a more suitable option. It doesn't contain any of the toxic ingredients found in regular nail polish, like DBP (Dibutyl phthalate), Toluene, Formaldehyde/Formaldehyde Resin, and Camphor. These ingredients can cause skin damage and irritation among many other harmful effects.
Vegan nail polish is a healthier and safer way to do your nails. If you're thinking about making the switch, check out these vegan nail polish brands created by women of color and what I thought about them.
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Pear Nova
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Pear Nova is a vegan-friendly and cruelty-free nail polish brand created by mompreneur Rachel James. Pear Nova is the perfect mix of function and fancy and is committed to celebrating the strength and beauty of women everywhere.
Nail Color: Ginzaholic
Price: Originally $11.50 | On sale for $9.75
Thoughts: I tried the Ginzaholic, which is a mixture of grey and purple, and I loved it. Usually, when I shop for this color combination, it's either too light or it blends in with my skin complexion without any pop. But this wasn't the case. Ginzaholic is a soft color that works for the fall and winter season. So if darker colors aren't your cup of tea, then this is a great option.
As for the formula, it is five-free, meaning it doesn't contain five of the most toxic nail chemicals. Pear Nova polish has a long-lasting shine and applies very easily. While I wore it, I didn't experience any dullness or color fade. I learned that when I apply the Pear Nova top coat, after getting it done the first time, it will extend your nail polish wear. That top coat is a must if you want your nails to last even longer.
Breukelen Polished
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Breukelen Polished (which I assume is the luxury way of saying Brooklyn) is a luxury vegan nail polish brand straight out of Brooklyn. They cater to the the health conscious while also representing the grit and evolution of Brooklyn.
Nail Color: Cocoa Bread
Price: $10.00
Thoughts: Cocoa Bread is a really pretty dark nude color. I don't usually do nude because it's hard for me to find a shade of nude that fits me and my skin complexion, but this is the perfect nude! It seems like it has more hues of brown in the formula and it has a really shiny finish. Speaking of the formula, this is an 11-free polish, which means it doesn't contain the standard five toxins nor Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, Acetone, Parabens, Wheat and Eggs. Breukelen Polished is also pigmented, chip-resistant, and I really loved how fast the nail polish dried. The website didn't claim to be a quick dry, but I was out of the salon in no time and you know regular polish takes a bit longer.
As for shipping, I think they can improve a bit. I understand this is a small business but I ordered all my nail polishes on the same day and this one was the last to arrive. I order my polish on October 12 and received it on October 19. The website said it will take 1-3 business days and I paid $7.05 for shipping (their shipping cost was also the most expensive). Don't get me wrong, I will still shop with them again, I was just a bit surprised by the shipping experience.
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Law Beauty Essentials
Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
Law Beauty Essentials is a vegan polish line that encourages self-love and woman empowerment. The founder, Tanisha Lawrence, made it a mission to create pigments that are high shine, chip-resistant, and serve as a healthy alternative for self-care.
Nail Color: NETWORTH HOW MUCH?
Price: $7.00
Thoughts: When I first saw this color, I immediately thought of fall and Christmas. It's such a pigmented and smooth green— it catches your eye instantly. The name is also very catchy and cute, it's like each polish comes with its own vibe. As for the formula, I can attest to it being chip-resistant and shiny and it is also five-free. This polish also takes a bit longer to dry.
I think it's only right to include my shopping experience because I was very impressed. The shipping is very quick (my products came in two days) and they keep you informed of each step via text and email. And, what I loved the most is that shipping was only $3. I mention this because, due to this not only being the most inexpensive one, the shipping cost was low and it influenced me to buy more.
Overall, I loved all of the nail polishes. Each brand has a unique vibe and set of colors. All three are definitely inclusive, and every nail color is perfect for all skin complexions and shades. This is my first time trying any vegan nail polish and I will most likely use this moving forward. I initially thought using vegan polish would be more expensive, but it's the same price as any good quality polish.
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Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Tyler James Williams Explains Why His And Quinta Brunson 'Abbott Elementary' Characters Should Remain Friends
While Abbott Elementary fans are hoping that Janine and Gregory end up together, the show’s star has another take. Tyler James Williams plays Gregory on the Emmy award-winning sitcom, and he recently stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show to share his point of view on his storyline with Janine, which Quinta Brunson plays.
“I hate to say it. I know that everybody’s always mad at me for this. I don’t necessarily want to see them together,” he revealed. “It’s partially an actor’s choice, but also somebody who, like, I read a lot of scripts all the time. I watch a lot of TV, a lot of film. I don’t think that we see displays of platonic love between two people often. I think it’s really easy to go right to they have feelings for each other, therefore they should be together. I like this dynamic of exploring withholding that and just actively loving each other where they are. That I like to see more.”
If you recall, they were co-workers who became friends but were secretly crushing on each other. They’ve had many awkward run-ins during and after school, like the unforgettable club scene where they were dancing nervously with each other in season one, and in season two, they finally kiss. However, it only made things even more awkward, and they decided to just be friends. Tyler further explained why he thinks it’s important to showcase that type of relationship on screen.
“I think it’s time for that. I think TV allows people to see things that could be their lives for the first time, and I think seeing a healthy friendship that is deeply caring about one another in a work atmosphere needs to be shown more than the relationship,” he concluded.
Abbott Elementary comes on every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images