Not too long ago, I was given four Priti NYC polishes to test for Sassy. It got me thinking how ‘Green’ beauty has come a long way since ecologically conscious types first shunned mass-produced, chemically saturated beauty products. Case in point: nail polish.
Who would have thought it possible that nail polishes could be eco-friendly? While manicured nails and embracing the earth don’t seem hugely compatible, it is a sign of the times we live in that ordinary women now recycle, believe in climate change and are far more clued up about chemical compounds.
Priti NYC polishes are made without toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and formaldehyde – all known carcinogenic ingredients. The press release states that they are also “completely safe for use on children and moms-to-be.” This explains why the range includes a Princess collection, which comes in kid-sized 8ml bottles and named by the founder Kim D’Amato’s 9 year old daughter.
The idea behind Priti NYC came to D’Amato while she was pregnant. It seemed simple enough to find organic foods – but nail polish was another matter. She launched Priti NYC with one simple mission: to support organic farmers and to decrease the amount of chemicals poisoning the earth.
So now we have established its green credentials, how does the polish actually wear? Surprisingly well, it must be said. The glitter polish I tried, Hardy Water Lily, goes on smoothly, with no visible lines. The consistency is perfect and one coat is more than enough. The glitter is refined and wears more like a shimmer, so can easily be worn for day.
On my other hand, I wore Magic Man Iris, a smooth burgundy which was oh-so-easy to apply. I liked the finish of this a lot, but found that it required an extra coat to give it that truly rich colour.
Overall this compares well to the other luxury nail polish brands, with an easy to manipulate brush and colours that last from 2–5 days, depending on the finish. Green-conscious, manicure-loving ladies can finally rejoice: Priti NYC apparently carries 120 different shades.
And when you’re ready to switch up your colours, their 100% natural soy nail polish remover whips it off a treat, whilst being biodegradable, non-toxic and non-carcinogenic. Better still, it doesn’t have that alcohol, chemical based smell that taints your hands, instead it leaves the moisturised and chemical-free.
I don’t think nail polish will ever be safe enough to ingest (who would want to do that anyway?) but at least you know that when you lick your Priti fingers, you’re not sucking in a whole lot of formaldehyde. That stuff is meant to preserve, sure, but you’ve got to be pickled first.
Priti nail polishes cost HK160 each and are available at:
Priti NYC Show Room (By appointment only)
Rm1005 10/F, Workingview Commercial Bldg, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2836 6210
Priti NYC Authorized Online Store
Nail One, 14/F, C Wisdom Center, 37 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2537 2991
Nail Me Professional Nail Service, 1/F, 46 HaiPhong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2311 0337
The Nail Gallery, Shop 99, UG/F, Olympian City 3, 1 HoiWang Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2758 0090
Nail & Waxing @ LKF, 11/F, No.1, Lan Kwai Fong, Central. Hong Kong, 2530 2022
