Review (4/5): Good nail polish, but still has the nail polish smell
TL;DR: Good choice if you're looking for polish with fewer harmful chemicals and a less intense nail polish scent. Not for you if you need allergy-free or scentless polish.
My partner has always been sensitive to the smell of nail polish and it seems I've developed a sensitivity as well. I tried painting my nails a few weeks back and was super dizzy and lightheaded before I finished.
After a lot of research to find polishes that don't require a HazMat suit, I came across this brand and one other. I liked the color range of Zoya better (400+!), so I ordered this kit and the color lock kit (remover, basecoat, topcoat, and dry drops - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IDHCSM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1).
Pros:
- The basecoat and topcoat both went on super easily.
- The dry drops are a little oily, but my nails were completely dry in under 15 minutes (dry enough to do things in under 5).
- The colors are gorgeous. Mia, the second shade, had almost full coverage after one coat and full coverage after two. The color also went on super easily.
- I'm only on day two, but typically by this time I've chipped even anti-chip polish really badly. So it's impressive to me that it's holding out. This kit claims 14 days, I'll update with how long it actually lasts.
Cons:
- The bottles in the Color lock kit are super tiny. The remover is travel size and the basecoat, topcoat, and dry drops are somewhere between travel and sample size.
- While they don't smell quite as bad as other polishes I've used, they still have that nail polish scent. It didn't make me dizzy, light-headed, or cough, so that's a bonus. Nor did the scent hang around or cause my partner to seek me out to ask why I was doing my nails when he was home. But it's stronger than I was expecting and was nowhere near being scent-free.
All in all, I'd recommend this. It's at least somewhat healthier than other brands, the color palette can't be beaten, and the application is great. Just know what you're getting yourself into.
Update: the polish started chipping after 4 days. Not the worst, but not the best either.