Nail Talk: 3 Free

If you're not a big nail fan, you may not be knowledgeable on "3 Free" polishes. 


Here's some info on the big 3....


What is the "Big 3"?
The big 3 are 3 chemicals that are in some nail polishes. The 3 chemicals are Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) and Toluene.


What do they do?
DBP is an oily liquid that is a plasticiser that helps to prevent cracks and chips. It also makes the polish more flexible. 
The formaldehyde is a resin, and helps harden the polish. Once the formaldehyde becomes a resin, it is chemically changed and the formaldehyde is no longer existent. It is also a cheap preserver and is found in many beauty items.
Toluene is a solvent that helps make the polish apply easily.


There are many arguments on each side about whether polishes with the "3" are safe to use. It is a personal decision that everyone needs to make for themselves. Many companies are now coming out with ranges that are free of the big 3. Some companies do great ranges, while others are new to using polishes without the 3 and their quality isn't as great as more established 3 free brands. 


Some great brands that are 3 free include Butter London, Adoree, Pret a Polish and Zoya. OPI has been 3 free from 2008. You can identify if it is 3 free by the green lettering on the bottom of the bottle. If it has black text, it is the old formula.  


What are your favourite "3 Free" brands?
XO