Acrylic Nails, Baby Shower Games and Painted Rocks!

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I received a pop up on my phone today showing the trending searches for this week on Pinterest were acrylic nails, baby shower games and painted rocks. I found it interesting that acrylic nails were trending at the same time as baby shower games. After seeing this Pinterest post, I decided to dedicate today's blog to -- why it is SO IMPORTANT to rethink what we put on our nails.

My ultimate goal with this post and my focus overall on my Clean Living by Judith Raye website is to simply start a dialogue, which will then open a door for you as a consumer to do your own investigation into the products you use.

There is plenty of debate on both sides of the fence as to what is deemed toxic. After all, many companies tout the fact that while their products might contain very small amounts of certain chemicals known to be carcinogenic, the exposure to you as a consumer is so low it that does not pose any health risk. The problem with that notion is that as consumers we are using a numerous variety of personal care products on our body at any given point in time. Add several of these products with low level toxins together -- you now have a much larger toxic load on your body.

You might ask why is it so important to choose a nail polish that is free of toxic chemicals. Research has shown that Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde and Toluene act as an endocrine disrupter and are linked to infertility. The European Union restricted the use of Toluene in their personal care products and warned pregnant women that exposure to nail polish with Toluene can be harmful to their unborn babies. In addition, California has included Toluene on their Prop 65 list of harmful chemicals.

During my mid-20’s, I began suffering from a variety of health issues, including missed periods and infertility. At one point I was told that I would never have children due to some of these medical conditions. None of the doctors could tell me why I suffered from these conditions – it just happens to some women but we don’t know why. I was even told by some doctors that my infertility issues were in my head. REALLY?

When I finally was able to conceive, both of my pregnancies resulted in premature births. My first daughter was born two months premature, and my second daughter was born one month premature. Both of my daughters spent their first 20-30 days of life in the pediatric ICU. Looking back during that same time frame, it would not be uncommon for me to spend at least an hour every two weeks getting my acrylic nails refilled. It was part of my Saturday routine. It never occurred to me that my great looking nails would someday pose a significant health risk to not only me but to my children.

I recently came across an interesting article on Marie Claire’s website posted in 2018, “How This Woman’s Acrylic Nails Reportedly Caused Melanoma.” Check it out - it is a quick read. The story is about Karolina Jasko, a young woman who was diagnosed with a melanoma on her thumb after continual use of acrylic nail polish.

I am sure by now you figured out there isn't anything in this post about Baby Showers or painted rocks! In the last 9 months I decided to stop using artificial nails. My nail of choice was dipped nails which was promoted to me as a healthier option. One of the main ingredients in the dipping powder is cyanoacrylate, a chemical used in Krazy glue. When I removed these nails, my nails were soft, brittle and I also discovered a nail fungus under my right thumb. It has taken several months to resolve this nail fungus. Suffice it to say, I now do my own nails. And, if I do go to a nail salon, I take my own nail polish and tools with me.

A Cleaner Nail Polish -Côte

Côte is a company based out of California. They have created a nail polish that is free of ten toxic ingredients -- formaldehyde, toluene, DBT, formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP, xylene, ethyl tosylamide/epoxy resin, parabens, and gluten.

They are also vegan, cruelty-free and hand poured in the USA. Join the clean beauty movement when purchasing your next nail care product.

Côte has also been featured in Goop, Vogue, The Zoe Report and Allure.

All I have to say is WOW!!! Not only does the Côte polish go on smooth, it looks beautiful. The price of Côte is a little higher than some of the other 5-free brands but it is well worth the price. Even after seven days of getting my hands into my herb garden and getting my hands into painting art, this polish did not chip. Côte has many great colors to choose from. I tried "Adobe Clay." This color is subtle and compliments my shorter nails.

I highly recommend Côte nail products. In addition to their nail colors they have amazing other products like their "Takeoff Towel." I was skeptical that these towels would a. actually work but wouldn't need the whole box to take off all ten fingers. I am happy to say my skepticism was WRONG. One towel took off all ten fingers. It probably could have done more (toes) but I didn't have any polish on mine at the time.

As an added bonus, Côte recycles all of its used polish bottles. If you live in either Los Angeles or New York City be sure to take your empty bottle to one of these locations and you will receive 10% off your next Cote purchase.

If you do not live in Los Angeles or New York City and you are interested in purchasing any Côte nail care products check out there site here to find a location near you!