Côte - A Toxic Free Nail Polish For a Great Pedi/Mani

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So if you have been reading my blog posts over the last month you are hopefully beginning to see a pattern. My journey to a cleaner lifestyle is discovering products and services that are free of toxic ingredients which are harmful to my health and products also safer for our environment.

For years I went to the local strip mall nail salon to get acrylic tips. My nail tech and I were on a first name basis. I loved the way my nails looked when I wore acrylic tips. But each time I would take a break and remove them, my real nails looked horrible, not to mention they were sometimes painful to the touch. So the tips did not stay off long because my nails simply looked ugly. Each time I considered removing the tips, I quickly returned to the bi-weekly routine of acrylic nails.

About a year ago I was told by my nail tech that dip nails were a healthier option for me since the dip powder contained calcium powder. I thought "why not" and so I changed from acrylic tips to full on dipped nails. Surprisingly my nails seemed to grow great while they were covered with the dipped gel concoction. I thought I could stop using the dipped gel since my own nails were looking great. However, once I took them off again I found my nails were now soft, brittle and peeling exactly the same way as when I had used acrylic tips. Even worse, now my cuticles were in horrible shape and I had developed a nail fungus. Looking back the nail fungus was probably due to the fact that the nail tech would often cut my cuticles to the point of bleeding, which probably exposed my nails to bacteria.

After discovering the nail fungus, I decided enough was enough. I treated my nail fungus with Everything Spray from Primally Pure. I am happy to say that the nail fungus is just about totally cleared. Bottom line - no more fake nails for me!

Côte - Cleaner Safer Beauty™

Most nail care products contain harmful ingredients that are considered endocrine disruptors and actually mimic hormone estrogen in your body. Three chemicals called, "The Toxic Trio" (Dibutyl Phthalate (DPB), Formaldehyde and Toluene) are found in most nail care products. The European Union has recognized Toluene as hazardous to pregnant women. California has also included Toluene on their Prop 65 list of harmful chemicals.

I was recently introduced to Côte nail products when Côte participated with Beautycounter as part of a limited time promotion during Valentine's Day called "Be Mine Valentine's Day Duo." Beautycounter used this promotion to introduce Côte as another company focused on creating nail care products free from many of the harmful ingredients normally found in other nail care products.

Côte is a California company. Founders Mary Lennon and Leah Yari have created a safe, quality nail care product, along with an elegant nail care experience at each of their two salons (Los Angeles and New York). Their focus is to create a product that removed all the major toxins harmful to health. Côte nail polishes are free of allergens, formaldehyde, DPB, toluene, camphor, TPHP, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, and is also gluten free.

Recycling Program

Côte even offers a recycling program that works in conjunction with an environmental services company with services specific to nail polish. If you live in either Los Angeles or New York simply bring your empty bottle of polish to one of these salons and you will receive 10% off your next purchase.

Côte - A Nail Salon I am Happy to Recommend

Côte nail salons will provide you with an enjoyable, relaxing experience for your mani or pedi. They only offer manicures, pedicures, and hot stone massage using their clean nail care products. For use in their salon, as an added safety measure, Côte offers a "personal shop box", where you keep your own set of tools, to be used by the nail tech only on your own nails. And, when you are finished with your nail experience, Côte then sanitizes your personal tools in their hospital grade autoclave, ready to go for your next appointment. The only add-on Côte offers in their salons is nail jewelry.

I really wished they had a nail salon in Portland. I would definitely book an appointment. Their website also offers a large selection of nail colors, nail treatments, nail care kits, and even gift cards. Each one of their nail polish bottles are made from Italian glass and include a high quality applicator brush.

My favorite color is a pearlized camel color. I also love their nail polish remover pads. Just one small square polish remover pad actually cleans all ten nails completely!

All of their products are made in the US. They are also cruelty-free and vegan. Be sure to check out their website, go here.

And, be sure to start following me as I will be discussing why we need to stop using single use plastic products.

Have a healthy day!