Best Vegan Nail Polish Brands

How To Make Your Cruelty

One of the major frustrations many people have with nail polish is that it simply doesnt seem to last! You might find that after washing the dishes a couple of times, the damage on your fresh manicure is incredibly obvious.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can make your manicure last longer without gel polish.

Ultimate List Of 80 Cruelty

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

Here is an updated list of cruelty-free and vegan nail polish brands. Ive been compiling this list since 2015, and what started as only forty vegan nail polish brands have now doubled to eighty in 2023!

This list of 80+ cruelty-free brands offering vegan nail polishes can be overwhelming, so Ive included a few of my personal recommendations for the best vegan nail polish. As well as, options for vegan gel polish, water-based, and the most sustainable nail polish brands available!

This way, you can find exactly what youre looking for!

First, lets start by asking what makes traditional nail polish not vegan?

Is Nail Polish Toxic

If youre wondering if nail polish is toxic, the short answer is no, nail polishes are not inherently toxic. And, as we mentioned, the best nail polish brands are 3-free and up to 10-free, meaning they avoid using any toxic ingredients.

That being said, some nail polishes can cause skin irritation, so its important to opt for brands that focus on using ingredients that are not toxic. Also, nail polish is toxic if ingested, so be sure to keep your fingers away from your mouth when painting, avoid chewing your nails, and always keep polishes out of reach of children and pets.

Don’t Miss: How To Treat Yellow Nail Fungus

Where To Shop For These Cruelty

You can shop and purchase directly from any of the above brands websites.

Shopping at Ulta? Find China Glaze, Londontown, ORLY, Pacifica, Nailtopia, Zoya, and Seche at some retailers.

2023 Update! Added more recommendations for the best cruelty-free nail sets, press-on nails, vegan nail strengtheners, dip powders, nail wraps, and vegan nail glue.

Kure Bazaar Nail Lacquer

Kure is a premium brand making 10-free vegan nail polishes. Obviously the most pricey among our list of lacquers. But Iâm telling you, it has impecabble resistance and the ultra-shine result is unforgiving. It is smooth, strong, and healthy. Nothing else is needed to make this brand stand out. Loved the brandâs outlook as well â a new philosophy that preserves the vitality of nails respecting their natural cycle of regeneration. I think no one could have put it any better than Kure.

Free of: Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate, Synthetic Camphor, TPHP, Paraben, Xylene, Styrene, Benzophenone-1, and Benzophenone-3

Don’t Miss: How To Whiten Yellow Nails

What Makes The Best Vegan Nail Polish Brand

Before we unveil the best cruelty-free nail polish of the year, we want to explain what you should look for when shopping for the best vegan nail polish brand. By following this advice below, you’ll be sure to end up with the best quality vegan nail polish. It just comes down to the ingredients label, results, and variety offered.

Dimension Nails Vegan Gel Nail Polish

Dimension Nails is an indie cruelty-free and vegan nail polish brand with a collection of over 100+ premium gel polish colors that are also 10-free. Dimension Nails gel polish claims to last weeks without losing shine, breaking, chipping, or smudging.

Additionally, Dimension Nails has confirmed their mica is ethically sourced without child or forced labor.

Recommended Reading: What Nail Salons Are Open

Ncla Vegan Nail Polish

If youve been following me for awhile then its no surprise that NCLA is in my top 5. I purchased my first nail polish by NCLA on NailPolishCanada.com and was instantly hooked. Beautiful color pay-off, stunning color range, and I cant go without their Gelous? Top Coat!! They also have some nail wraps which are super fun to apply!

All of NCLA nail polish are vegan and 7-free.

The Best Vegan And Cruelty

by Emily | Dec 20, 2022 | Veganism FAQ’s

OPI is a vegan and cruelty-free nail polish brand that has been around since 1981. Their popular nail lacquers are free of harmful chemicals like toluene and dibutyl phthalate, and theyre not tested on animals. OPI is also a member of PETAs Beauty Without Bunnies program, which ensures that their products meet the highest standards of animal protection.

Over the last decade, the demand for cruelty-free, vegan, and cruelty-free products in cosmetics, skin care, and fragrance has steadily increased. Its well-known cosmetics company, OPI, develops and markets a wide range of popular nail products. Many customers appreciate the brands diverse product offerings, which include a wide range of products for various body types. PI products are manufactured in North Carolina. It is not possible for the brand to manufacture any products in China. Monofunctional plastics contain no toluene, dibutyl phthalate, or formaldehyde, according to OPI. Some nail polish brands do not contain formaldehyde and camphor, which are also toxic.

You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus With Baking Soda

Live Love Polish Nail Polish

This is the newest nail polish brand Ive tried and Live Love Polish has the BEST selection for shimmer, glitter, and holographic nail polish! Ive tried a bunch of their glitter and holographic nail polish and the color pay-off is unlike anything Ive ever tried before. I have not been disappointed with any of their polishes so far!

All of Live Love Polish nail polish are vegan.

Let me know what are some of your favourite cruelty-free and vegan nail polish brands are in the comments below!

Why Is Beautygarde The Best Vegan Quality Nail Polish Of The Year

There is no doubt about it – BeautyGarde is the best non-toxic cruelty-free nail polish of the year. This polish is good for animals, good for the environment, and good for you. They are never tested on animals ever, including any stage of development. Plus, they’re entirely free of ingredients derived from animals.

But that’s not all. This polish goes beyond being cruelty-free. It’s also 7-free. What does this mean, you ask? It means the formulation is free from the seven most carcinogenic toxins and chemicals. This includes:

• Dibutyl phthalate

Recommended Reading: What’s Good To Strengthen Nails

Best Vegan Nail Polish Overall

We love Zoya vegan nail polish. It is toxin-free and reliable. with professional salon quality. The polish is long-lasting, full-coverage, and easy to apply.

The nail polish is free of all major toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, camphor, DBP, TPHP, parabens, xylene, and ethyl tosylamide.

Pick your favorite vegan Zoya from a range of impressive colors.

This vegan nail polish remover is so gentle on your nails. It removes nail polish with just one swipe without drying out or ruining your nail surface.

This natural vegan nail polish remover is mineral-enriched and acetone-free as well as free of other unnecessary chemicals.

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color In Skinny Dippin’

A lavender lattethat’s what comes to mind after taking one look at this pastel hue. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann is known for her nail-nurturing formulas, so you know this pigment will deliver intense color without sacrificing the health ofthose tips . Healthy, happy claws, all dressed in light lavender.

Read Also: Can Nail Salons Treat Fungus

Are Manicures Bad For The Environment

Yes and no: If youre doing your nails at home, and properly disposing of your nail polish, chances are its not a huge environmental or health concern.

However, if you get your nails done at a salon, several salons tend to have poor ventilation which is potentially harmful due to the nature of nail polish fumes. These fumes can lead to indoor air pollution thats potentially harmful to human health.

Some of the fumes, like toluene a common ingredient in many nail polishes, can cause a condition known as painter syndrome. This is a permanent condition that can cause memory loss, mobility issues, and speech problems.

Toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate are sometimes referred to in the industry as the toxic trio. In a study run by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, a limited number of nail salon products claiming to be free of one or more of the toxic trio tested positive for the chemicals of which they claimed to be free of.

Nail salon workers are the ones most exposed to solvents, fragrances, and hardeners that could be volatile. These chemicals are inhaled when they evaporate into the air. For example, the dust created when filing artificial nails may contain glues, silica and benzoyl peroxide. Nail salon workers should wear gloves and masks for this reason, and I highly recommend you look into going to an ethical nail salon.

Best Vegan Nail Polish Brands

Last Updated on September 18, 2021 by

Hello, Better Ingredients

Toxic ingredients are becoming a thing of the past. With a rising demand for natural beauty products, nail polish brands are stepping up their game to deliver something we arent afraid of putting on our bodies.

You have likely been seeing terms such as 5-free and 7-free while browsing nail polish colors. This phrase means certain ingredients known to be toxic are not in the product. While the omitted ingredients vary from brand to brand, for the most part, they are the same.

Don’t Miss: How To Prevent Nails From Splitting

How We Chose The Best Base Coat Nail Polishes

To make an educated decision about the best base coat nail polish for you, we asked the experts for their recommendations on the best options for normal nails, weak and brittle nails, and nails with peeling or ridging. Then we sifted through thousands of reviews to see what real users had to say, and even tested some on our own nails to see if they made the cut.

Whether youre looking for the best non-toxic nail polish, gel nail polish, or something that can help strengthen your nails, weve found the best base coat nail polish for you. And dont forget to add this $8 nail product to your cart for serious salon-level resultsespecially if youre trying out nail art.

Vegan Nail Polish: The Best Cruelty Free Brands

A number of companies produce nail polish thats both vegan and cruelty free. Even the industrys largest players are entering this niche. In 2019, Sally Hansen launched an all-vegan line under the Pure brand name. And in 2021, OPI released its Nature Strong line of vegan nail polish.

Nail polish is among the least natural of all cosmetics. Its more akin to fast-drying paint than to any conventional sort of makeup. Manufacturers mix pigment into an opaque and glossy blending agent. Next, they use a strong solvent to dissolve this mixture. Except for perhaps coloring agents, no ingredients typically present in nail polish are animal-derived.

No longer is vegan nail polish a niche product. Accordingly, the market abounds with excellent vegan brands formulated without animal testing. Whatever sort of look youre seeking, you can find high quality cruelty-free brands. From restrained shades to outrageous colors, youll have no trouble finding a product that suits you.

Don’t Miss: Pedicures In St George Utah

What Makes A Nail Polish Brand Vegan

A vegan nail polish brand does not do 2 things: it does not use animal ingredients and it does not test its products or ingredients on animals.

The most common ingredients that make a nail polish not vegan are animal-derived shine agents or pigments .

Also, often its the nail care and makeup products that make the nail polish brand not vegan. For instance, Zoya nail polishes are vegan but the brand has non-vegan cosmetics.

Orly Nail Color In Confetti

And for pink lovers everywhere, you can’t go wrong with this bubblegum shade. The full-coverage pigment provides extra-long wear and for the not-so-confident nail painters among us: Each bottle comes with a patented gripper cap, so it’s easier to wield the brush without accidentally painting your cuticles.

Also Check: New Montclair Nails And Spa

What Makes Nail Polish Vegan

Nail polish is vegan if it does not contain animal products or byproducts. Also, vegan nail polish must not be tested on animals.

The most common animal-derived components in nail polish are shellac, guanine, carmine, and oleic acid.

• Shellac high-gloss ingredient produced by female lice
• Guanine aka pearl essence, shine agent made from fish scales
• Carmine deep red dye made of crushed red beetles
• Oleic acid nail polish thickener made out of animal fat

Which Of The Best Nail Polish Brands Are Trending

Having leafed through our list of the best nail polish brands, chances are you at least know of OPI, Sally Hansen, or Essie. As it turns out, theres a good reason so many shoppers have carts overflowing with these polishes.

Well versed in the classics and the trends, these brands have it down pat when it comes to new releases, the coolest colors, and the most popular finishes and designs. No matter what youre looking for, these three brands are on top of it and are sure to have the shades and textures that are poppin in the world of nails.

Don’t Miss: How To Take Off Acrylic Gel Nails

What In Nail Polish Isnt Vegan

Any nail polish that contains animal-derived ingredients isnt vegan. Heres a list of animal-based ingredients found in cosmetic products, including but not limited to nail polish. An ecofriendly nail polish will often avoid animal-based ingredients, as these tend to have a higher carbon footprint and arent always ethically harvested.

The animal-based ingredients commonly found in nail polish include:

• Guanine: Usually listed as pearl essence, which comes from fish scales. Gives nail polish shine.
• Carmine: Often found in red shades of nail polish. Carmine is made from boiled and crushed beetles.
• Shellac: Used in nail polish which is a dark brown resin from the excretions of lac scale insects, collected from the branches the insects live on.

Dont Miss: How To Treat Nail Fungus

How We Chose The Best Nail Polish Brands

Before choosing any brand, we scour the web and all the biggest e-tailers to ensure we know all the available options on the market. We look at customer reviews, star ratings, brand ethos, processes, materials, accessibility, and so much more. We weigh the pros and cons, so you dont have to, helping you make informed shopping decisions.

Check out other curated lists of top brands:

Read Also: How Do You Get Gel Nail Polish Off

What Is Vegan Nail Polish

Its easy to get confused by the onslaught of terms used in product marketing today, so figuring out what exactly is vegan can be challenging. For starters, dont be fooled by labels like clean, green, or non-toxicproducts with this wording can still include the use of animals, animal by-products, or animal testing. In order to be considered truly vegan, a product must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.

The Problem With Conventional Nail Polish

Theres no robust regulation in the US that restricts the use of dubious chemicals in cosmetic and personal care products, meaning nail polish typically contains a whole bevy of nasty chemicals. These can do damage to your nails, cause respiratory irritation, and even harm hormonal health. Find out more about what to watch out for in nail polish.

Its also a good idea to avoid nail polish that contains acrylate copolymers or other microplastics. These usually end up in wastewater and are persistent pollutants. They can seriously affect the health of fish, birds, frogs, and other wildlife and can also accumulate in human tissue where they continue to cause health issues. The Leaf Score recommended nail polish brands above have gone the extra step to minimize microplastics and other problematic ingredients.

Finally, when its time to remove your nail polish, dont just pick away at it or reach for the acetone and disposable wipes. Consider using the following products instead to make things a bit healthier and more eco-friendly all round:

• Organyc Organic Cotton Rounds in biodegradable and compostable packaging
• Sephora Organic Cotton Rounds with GOTS certification view on Sephora
• TL Cares Nursing Pads made with organic cotton made for nursing but great for removing make-up and nail polish!
• Priveganic organic cotton make-up removal pads come with a convenient washbag to stop them getting bunched up or stuck in a dryer vent .

Recommended Reading: How To Grow Nails Faster

The Best Vegan Nail Polish Brands To Check Out This Year

Now that you know a little bit more about why most nail polish isnt vegan, Im here to tell you the good news. There are plenty of great cruelty-free vegan nail polish brands!

Ive tried most of the top-rated vegan nail polishes on the market. While most of them have been decent, a few have really stood out. Below, youll find my favorites.

Opi Natural Base Coat

via amazon.com

If you want a base coat that checks all the boxes, then OPIs Natural Base Coat is it. Not only was this base coat at the top of our list, but it was Dr. Garshicks number one recommendation as well. This easy-to-find and easy-to-use base coat is a great option to prevent staining of the nails, and it helps to enhance the overall appearance of the nails, she says. This relatively thin base coat applies smoothly and evenly thanks to the large application brush, and it dries in under a minute. Once your manicure is completely dry, keep your hands looking beautiful with one of these hand creams that have nearly perfect reviews.

Pros:

Don’t Miss: How To Make Nails Healthy Again