I am that random girl you always see actually trying out the different tester nail polish options. Not just a small dab of colour on my pinkie. No, I will even awkwardly do my right hand with two different colours to see how it matches. This little habit has lead to some sideward frowns from posh V&A shoppers and curious stares from small children. But it has also produced some beautiful colour combinations – seashell green and cherry red being my most recent favourite.

My collection includes names such as Glow Baby Glow and Vintage Rose, but even with all this enthusiasm my nails sometimes just needs a rest. I must be honest – I have never really put much thought into WHY, I just accepted that when your nails start going a bit wayward (to the discolouring side of things) it’s your body’s way of saying “Hi there, I need some fresh air”. Well, I guess that is half of the truth, but the other half (and primary problem) is the cocktail of toxic ingredients that we are actually smearing on our nails.

It is unpronounceable names like formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate that makes that particular shade of pink stick and shine. The harmful compounds in nail polishes put more than our health at risk. When tossed into the trash they can leech their toxicity into the soil and groundwater.

I think that’s quite a big price for a pair of perky paws. I wouldn’t throw house paint in the garbage, so why am I doing it with nail polish – that is just paint after all? In the search for an alternative to going au-natural we have come across Tip Top nail polish that is now proudly toxin free. I don’t know how they do it, but they are producing the same vibrant colours without the harmful chemicals. As they call it – Beauty, without the Beast!

But the process does not stop there – what about when your nails do finally scream for a breather? Well, conventional nail polish removers are made with acetone and other dangerous chemicals, so a natural alternative is to use rubbing alcohol.

There does not need to be a price for the environmental on your pamper party – it is just about rethinking your approach and treasure hunting for more responsible products, such as Tip Top!

TIP TOP GIVEAWAY
Win one of ten hampers from Tip Top nails. Please email melissa@lifeinbalance.co.za with the headline Tip Top – and you will be entered into a lucky draw.
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