The Best Non Toxic Gel Nail Polish

Gel Nail Polish lovers, Rejoice!! I’ve found the Best Non Toxic Gel Nail Polish and its no-damage formula easily removes in 1 minute! Read my Full Manucurist Green Flash LED Gel Polish Review HERE!

What is Gel Polish?

Gel polish is used during manicure service that uses a gel-based polish and requires a UV light to cure the polish and lock it onto your nails, similar, but different from acrylic nail enhancements. Gel polish is more durable than regular polish where regular polish can chip as quickly as two to three days, gel manicures typically stays chip-free for up to 2 weeks.

Is Gel Nail Polish Toxic?

Gel nails seem like a good idea, because they are long lasting but did you know that virtually all gel nail polish formulas and most traditional nail polishes available at your local salon are chock full of extremely toxic chemicals?

Gel nail polishes are notoriously loaded with more toxic chemicals and know carcinogen ingredients than regular polishes, that’s what gives them the staying power that you are willing to pay extra for.

How I found the Best Non Toxic Gel Polish

As someone who’s done my own manicures at home for most of my adult life, I’ve tried nearly every type of nail polish; traditional polish, gel polish, dip powder, etc.

And since I am passionate about finding better options that are both eco-friendly AND are non-toxic (or less toxic) formulas to help us all lead healthier lives as a part of my own clean beauty movement, of course I’ve spent significant time and money testing products calming to be free from controversial ingredients as a part of my beauty routine. Have you read my The Best Non Toxic Nail Polish post, yet?!

You may already know that for the past several years I’ve been primarily focused on non-toxic traditional style nail polishes BECAUSE there were no truly non-toxic gel polishes systems available AND every other brand of gel polish I’ve tried over the years ultimately left my nails very damaged.

Wait, let me clarify….. I feel like that is a little vague. Gel polishes (as applied at spas & salons) start with roughly buffing your natural nail surface with a drill then with the application process you are exposed to UV light to cure the polish that contains harsh chemical (ever notice the toxic odors and burning sensation, yeah that’s not healthy) then after +/- 2 weeks you return to the nail salon have the gel removed by soaking your nails in 100% pure acetone for 20 minutes to start breaking down the gel polish that ALSO needs forcefully scraped (or drilled) off, which is very damaging to your natural nails.

So the toxic exposure comes from not only the gel polish itself BUT also in the removal process. AND the damage comes from the scraping/drilling involved in removal. Is that clearer??

When Manucurist “Green Flash” LED Gel Polish started popping up on my Instagram feed, I assumed it was just another ‘better’ brand of non-toxic nail polish. I have a favorite traditional nail polish brand, that offers a healthy 15-free formula AND a week+ chip free wear, so why would I need to try another brand?!?!

I had written gel polish off something I didn’t need in my life but secretly I wanted an even longer lasting and more durable nail polish option than traditional style polish. Apparently instagram knew what I wanted even though I wasn’t looking for it!

Is Green Flash a Non-Toxic gel polish?

Green Flash, is the green GEL nail polish solution that you have been searching for! Green Flash has been formulated using natural ingredients with no known endocrine disruptor or allergenic molecules. It is guaranteed to contain no sensitising monomers or hydroquinone. Unlike other brands, being a 3-free nail polish formula isn’t enough; Green Flash is 12-free! As it’s up to 84% bio-sourced, Green Flash has minimal impact on the environment.

Here are the blacklisted toxic ingredients you will NOT find in Green Flash nail polishes or nail polish removers:

• Toluene 
• DBP 
• Camphor 
• Xylene 
• Formaldehyde resin
• Hydroquinones 
• Ethyl tosylamide 
• Triphenyl phosphate 
• Benzophenone 
• Styrene 
• Monomer 

And as a bonus you Green Flash is a vegan and cruelty-free brand, with no animal-derived ingredients, animal products nor animal testing. Unlike other vegan polishes and non-toxic nail polishes, In addition to avoiding animal ingredients, harmful ingredients, carcinogen and toxins, their formulas are also gluten-free and free of other harsh chemicals like dibutyl phthalate, parabens, tphp!

Manucurist Green Flash LED Gel Polish Review

I realized Green Flash is something entirely different! It’s a Gel Polish, that instead of being cured with a UV light and using toxic chemicals & damaging techniques for removal, it’s formulated with healthy living in mind AND takes only 1 minute to remove with ZERO damage.

Take My Money!

Yes, I purchased my own starter kit, with my own money and did tons of experimenting on my own. And I researched other brands of less-toxic gel polishes, again spending more of my own money, to test them head to head.

SHOCK is the only word I can use to describe my experience with Green Flash LED Cured Gel Polish. I was totally shocked that a non toxic gel polish could last so long but even more shocked at how easy it was to remove!

Does a truly damage free, non toxic Gel Manicure exist? yes it does, and its called Green Flash!

Green Flash offers 60+ shades of their non toxic gel polish; which includes a variety of both classic colors, brights/neon and glitter polishes, for both solid manicures and fun nail art options!

Their chip-resistant formula applies smoothly and has a round brush that makes it easy get that professional manicure (sans the messy polish all over your nail bed!) The only down fall for some of you may be that the green flash nail polish remover does contain fragrances however, it dissipates quickly and I’ve not heard any complaints of headaches or dizziness by those with fragrance sensitivities in other beauty products.

How To apply Manicurist Green Flash Gel Polish

Applying Green Flash Gel Polish is nearly identical to applying any other gel polish that is cured with a light. The only differences are that (a) you must use a LED light instead of a UV light and (b) the curing times are slightly longer. For the base coat and color coats, you will cure each coat for 2 minutes and for the top coat you will cure it for 3 minutes.

Step 1: To prep your nails for Green Flash Gel polish by very very lightly buffing to remove any surface shine. This is the ONLY part of a non toxic gel manicure with Green Flash Polish that has the potential to do any damage to your natural nails. I want to stress that you need to just barely buff the nail surface to give the gel polish something to grab onto. Use the finest grit buffer you can find.

If your nails are naturally ridged, like mine, it’s actually a good thing (for once) because your nails are already textured and may not need any buffing at all!

Step 2: Use Green Flash Dissolvant Doux (aka their nail polish remover) on a lint free nail wipe and wipe each nail surface to clean and remove any debris.

Step 3: Apply a 1 thin coat of Base Coat, being careful to avoid contact with your cuticle or skin. Use an orange wood stick to clean up your edges as needed. (Don’t forget to cap the free edge of your nail, to avoid chipping)

Step 4: Cure your base coat (using the base/color setting on your LED lamp) for 2 minutes.

Step 5: Apply a thin coat of Green Flash Color, again being careful to avoid your cuticle and skin. Use the Nail Polish Corrector Pen, as needed. All clean up must be done before curing!! (Don’t forget to cap the free edge of your nail, to avoid chipping)

Step 6: Cure your color (using the base/color setting on your LED lamp) for 2 minutes.

Step 7: Apply a 2nd thin coat of Green Flash Color, if desired. Again being careful to avoid your cuticle and skin. Use the Nail Polish Corrector Pen, as needed. All clean up must be done before curing!! (Don’t forget to cap the free edge of your nail, to avoid chipping)

Step 8: Cure your color (using the base/color setting on your LED lamp) for 2 minutes.

Step 9: Apply a 1 thin coat of Green Flash Top Coat, being careful to avoid contact with your cuticle or skin. Use an orange wood stick to clean up your edges as needed. (Don’t forget to cap the free edge of your nail, to avoid chipping)

Step 10: Cure your Green Flash Top Coat (using the top setting on your LED lamp) for 3 minutes.

Step 11: Apply cuticle oil for the ultimate spa-like experience and reapply daily for healthy & strong nails!

How to remove Gel Polish in 1 minute

Perhaps the best part of choosing to wear a non toxic gel polish from Manucurits’ Green Flash line is that their formula is designed to be removed in 1 minute with NO DAMAGE.

While it SEEMS like the removal will be as disastrous as traditional/conventional gel polish removal, trust the process. You will still start by saturating a cotton pad or removal sponge with Manicurist Remover then secure them in place with clips.

After 1-2 minutes the Manicurist polish will completely lift from your nail and can be wiped away.

How Long does Non Toxic Gel Polish Last?

Manicurist LED Gel Polish lasts up to 10 days but to be completely honest there are many factors to getting your non toxic gel mani to last long and be chip-free, beyond simply choosing a brand of nontoxic nail polish!

In my experience with Green Flash, I have found with NORMAL wear I can easily & consistently go 7-10 days with a non toxic gel mani at home. If you find that you are NOT getting at least a week out of your mani here are a few tips:

• Make sure that your Pre-Prep includes removing all invisible cuticle from the nail surface. This can include using a cuticle removing solution along with a cuticle pusher and/or a glass cuticle stick.
• Avoid exposing/soaking your hands/nails to water for at least an hour before your manicure. This includes bathing, shower, swimming, washing dishes, etc…however I personally have NOT found an issue with a quick soapy water scrub with a nail brush and throughly drying my hands with a towel as a part of my pre-mani prep routine. But as a general rule, less is more when it comes to pre-mani moisture.
• Do not let any of your nail polish come into contact with your cuticles or skin! Use an orange stick for clean up, a Green Flash Clean up Pen or a brush dipped in Green Flash remover BEFORE curing each layer to ensure your mani not only looks perfect but has the best longevity.
• Cap the free edge of your nail with each coat of polish, this helps to seal the edge and avoids chipping. To ensure that the undersides and tip of your nails are properly cured you can repeat curing with your hands turned upside down OR simply place a mirror under your hand while curing so that the reflection reaches those capped edges too.
• Keep your cuticles and nail beds hydrated both from the inside (drinking lots of water) and outside by applying cuticle oil multiple times a day. This helps to ensure nail health AND it prevents your nails from peeling, which is the main reason for most nail lacquers peeling and polish chipping. Not to mention it keeps your hands looking hydrated and healthy beautiful nails too!

How to Get Started with Green Flash Gel Polish

Unfortunately for the vast majority of us, we can’t just grab some Green Flash from the shelves at our local store so you’ll have to place an order online. (which most of us who’ve tried all the popular non-toxic polish brands like Zoya and dazzle dry are already familiar with, right?!?)

I got started with the Green Flash Holiday Starter Kit that came with all the essentials (base, top, remover, LED light and removal clips) PLUS 2 colors: Hortencia and Red Cherry. Since this was a seasonal offering, it may not be available when you are looking to get started… don’t worry there are other starter kits to choose from

Although you CAN purchase each item individually, it’s not going to save you money. The starter kit bundles are the best deal!!!

Use code: NAILSHAYLEY for an extra 15% off your order + Free Shipping on orders over $49!

In conclusion, I want to remind you that although it might seem like a simple task, doing a professional style manicure at home takes practice. Most often if you are experiencing peeling or chipping, there is room for improvement in your prep routine. When in doubt always feel free to reach out, I’m glad to help!

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