Ava Monroe
Conventional nail polishes often contain toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, phthalates, and toluene, which can pose health risks. As a result, many people are opting for natural, DIY nail polishes made with ingredients like olive oil, vitamin E, and beeswax. These polishes can be customized with eyeshadow, glitter, or natural dyes like alkanet root and henna powder to create unique colours and finishes. Making your own natural nail polish is a fun and inexpensive way to achieve your desired nail colour while avoiding potentially harmful chemicals.
Characteristics and Values of Natural Nail Polish
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Olive oil, vitamin E, beeswax, jojoba oil, mica pigment, mineral eye shadow, alkanet root, henna powder, cornstarch |
| Tools | Pan, heat-safe bowl, cheesecloth, fine mesh strainer, funnel, small clean brush, toothpick, popsicle stick, mixing stick |
| Process | Heat oil and color powder, strain, add beeswax and other oils, blend, cool, apply to nails |
| Benefits | Natural, non-toxic, cheap, customizable color, matte and shimmery finish |
| Precautions | Avoid toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, BPA, and toluene found in conventional nail polish |
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What You'll Learn
Using natural dyes like alkanet root and henna powder
Natural dyes like alkanet root and henna powder can be used to create a range of nail colours, from subtle blushes to deep reds and browns. These dyes offer a natural alternative to traditional nail polishes, which often contain harmful chemicals.
Alkanet root is a natural dye that imparts a ruby red colour. To use alkanet root as a nail polish, combine it with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, in a double boiler. The longer you heat the mixture, the stronger the colour will be, so heat for around 5-10 minutes to achieve a pinkish or burgundy hue. Once the desired colour is reached, strain the mixture to remove the alkanet root, then reheat and add beeswax and vitamin E oil to create a varnish. Paint this mixture onto your nails, allowing each layer to dry before applying another coat for a deeper colour.
Henna is another natural dye that has been used for centuries to tint hair, skin, and nails. It comes in a variety of natural earth tones, and the longer it is left on the nail, the deeper the colour will be. To use henna as a nail polish, mix the powder with an acidic liquid, such as lemon juice, and leave it to activate for a few hours or even a day. You can also add olive oil or water to create a paste. Once the dye is released, apply it to your nails and keep them warm and moist to ensure the dye sets properly.
Both alkanet root and henna are permanent stains, so it is important to be careful not to get any on your skin. These natural dyes offer a safe and non-toxic alternative to traditional nail polishes, but it is important to note that they may be difficult to remove and can only be removed as your nails grow out.
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Combining clear polish with mineral eyeshadow
Combining clear nail polish with mineral eyeshadow is an easy way to create your own natural nail colour. The process is simple and allows you to create a unique shade of nail polish.
Firstly, ensure your nails and nail beds are clean and tidy. Prepare your workspace by gathering your chosen clear nail polish, a paper towel, and a plate. Choose your favourite mineral eyeshadow, or a combination of two or more shades, and place the powder on the plate. Using a disposable container, mix a small amount of clear nail polish with the mineral eyeshadow powder. You can adjust the shade by adding more pigment to the mixture if it is too sheer.
Once you are happy with the colour, dip your nail polish applicator brush into the mixture and apply it directly to your nails. After applying the polish to each nail, wipe any excess on a paper towel to prevent the clear nail polish from taking on the colour of the eyeshadow. For consistent colour across all your nails, repeatedly dip the brush into the polish and then into the eyeshadow pigment.
Finally, allow your nails to dry completely. Follow up with a clear coat of polish to seal in the colour and add shine. This step also helps protect the colour from appearing dull.
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Making a natural base with olive oil and vitamin E
Conventional nail polishes contain toxic chemicals and endocrine disruptors such as formaldehyde, phthalates, BPA, and toluene. These can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, endocrine disruption, asthma, and neurotoxicity, and can harm the fetus of anyone who is pregnant.
A natural alternative to these conventional nail polishes can be made at home with olive oil and vitamin E. Olive oil can penetrate the skin and nails, providing repair to damaged nails and cuticles. It is also a great moisturising agent for our nails and helps our nails absorb the necessary vitamins and minerals that help strengthen nails.
To make a natural base with olive oil and vitamin E, follow these steps:
- Place olive oil and your choice of coloured powder (for a natural base, ginger root powder is recommended) in a small pan on low heat. Stir until well-blended.
- Once the ingredients are very warm but not hot, remove from heat.
- Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, strain the olive oil back into the pan. It should be tinted according to the chosen colour.
- Add beeswax and allow it to melt. Beeswax is great for moisturizing the skin and treating eczema.
- Add vitamin E oil and jojoba oil. Jojoba oil helps moisturize the nails while helping to fight infections.
- Blend the ingredients by stirring.
- Allow the mixture to cool.
- Apply a thin coat to your nails using a small clean brush while the mixture is still slightly warm. Be careful not to apply it while it is too hot to touch.
- Allow the first coat to dry completely.
- If desired, apply another coat.
- For storage, pour the mixture into a clean, heat-safe jar or an old sterilized nail polish container. You may need a small funnel to do this.
- To use the nail polish again, reheat the mixture.
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Adding cornstarch for a matte finish
Cornstarch can be used to create a matte finish for your nails. While there are non-toxic polishes available on the market, creating your own natural nail polish can be a fun DIY project.
To make your own nail polish with a matte finish, you will need a suspending nail polish base, empty nail polish bottles with tops and nail polish mixing balls, miniature funnels, popsicle sticks or miniature scoops, and cornstarch.
- Place the nail polish mixing balls into the empty polish bottles, and insert a miniature funnel into the bottle’s neck.
- Use a popsicle stick or miniature scoop to add cornstarch to the funnel. You can add other cosmetic glitters or colourants to create your desired shade.
- Seal the bottle and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds, or until the colours are well blended into the base.
- Apply your custom polish to your nails, using a good base coat and top coat to make the colour last.
It is important to note that creating your own nail polish with cornstarch might not be as durable as conventional nail polish. Additionally, be cautious when applying the polish to ensure it is not too hot.
Cornstarch can also be used to create DIY acrylic nails or fake nails. When combined with clear nail polish, you can build and shape your own acrylic nails. This method may not be as long-lasting as professional acrylics and may pose a risk of breakage if not properly strengthened.
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Using mica pigments for colour
Mica pigments are a great way to add colour, texture, and shimmer to your nail polish. They are nontoxic, natural minerals that are ground into a fine powder and can be used to create a wide range of dazzling colours with a pearlescent sheen.
When creating your own nail polish with mica pigments, it's important to first select the correct nail polish base. The base helps to distribute the colour pigments evenly and gives the nail polish a consistent finish. There are various types of bases available, including clear nail polish, a suspending base, and a luster base. The type of base you choose will depend on the desired finish and opacity of your nail polish. For instance, a suspending base will produce less opaque results than a luster base.
Once you have selected your base, you can choose your desired mica powder colour. If you want a sheer and transparent finish, you can simply mix the mica powder with a clear nail polish or a suspension base. However, if you prefer a more opaque appearance, you can add liquid pigments along with the mica powder. The liquid pigments act like paint, providing colour and opacity, while the mica powder adds shimmer and some colour.
When mixing multiple mica pigments, start with a small amount of each colour and adjust the quantity based on the desired intensity and opacity. You can use a funnel to pour the mica powder into an empty nail polish bottle, add the clear nail polish or suspension base, and then mix with a toothpick. Shake the bottle well to ensure all the components combine smoothly.
It's important to note that mica pigments may settle at the bottom of the bottle over time, so remember to give your custom nail polish a good shake before each use. Additionally, proper storage is crucial to maintain the longevity and quality of your custom nail polish. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and always screw the cap tightly to prevent air from entering the bottle, which can cause the nail polish to thicken.
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Frequently asked questions
Conventional nail polishes often contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, phthalates, BPA, and toluene. These can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, as well as endocrine disruption and reproductive issues. Making your own natural nail polish allows you to avoid these harmful ingredients and create a product that is safe and non-toxic, especially if you are pregnant.
You can make natural nail polish using a variety of ingredients, such as olive oil, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, and natural pigments like mica powder or alkanet root. You will also need a pan, a heat-safe bowl, a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, and a small clean brush for application.
First, heat the olive oil and your chosen natural pigment in a pan until warm, but not hot. Pour the mixture into a heat-safe bowl and strain the olive oil through a cheesecloth back into the pan. Add beeswax and allow it to melt, then add the vitamin E oil and jojoba oil. Blend well and allow the mixture to cool. Apply the polish to your nails using a small clean brush while it is still slightly warm. You can also create nail polish using eyeshadow or glitter. Simply combine the eyeshadow or glitter with a clear polish base and mix thoroughly until you achieve your desired color and consistency.
