Here's How to Do Mommy & Me Manis/Pedis (Sans Toxic Fumes!)

Kids can't help but be drawn to mom's bathroom vanity, and who can blame them? With all those mysterious potions, fragrant bottles, and colorful palettes, the place is a goldmine!

Little ones love to observe and imitate mom as she gussies up and gets ready. Nail polish is especially intriguing . . . there's just something so alluring about shiny, painted nails. Besides, it's not all frivolous — nail painting is a great way to  hone those fine motor skills,  learn about colors and patterns, and get creative. Oh, and it's the ultimate way to bond and share secrets.

But before you grab any ol' bottle of polish and plan a mani/pedi session with your kiddo, consider the safety of your products. Nail polishes can be dangerous, with their toxic ingredients and harmful, heady fumes. No worries! We found five wonderful companies—all founded by fellow mothers—that make safe, non-toxic polishes with little ones in mind. Now onto the real problem: color choices.

Priti NYC

These luxury polishes are 5-free, vegan, fast-drying, chip resistant, extremely durable, ultra-glossy, and contain a UV inhibitor. Priti NYC has created custom colors for many runway shows including Stella McCartney, Acne Studios, Thakoon, Proenza Schouler, Rachel Roy, Monique Lhullier, among many others. To top it off, these polishes are proudly made in the USA.

This line carries a ton of gorgeous, opulent colors; it's hard to pick favorites! My Flutter By is a gorgeous glitter polish with silver, violet, magenta, and lavender specks. String of Hearts has that multifaceted effect on a gray base. Think of an iridescent oil slick.

From their Princess collection (named by a 9-year-old creative director), we love Unicorn’s Horn, with white and silver glitters, Mermaid’s Hair, a salmon metallic shimmer, and Treasure Island Gold, a metallic, shimmery yellow-gold.

While you're at it, grab their Soy Nail Polish Remover which is simply infused with soybean esters and lemongrass essential oils.

Piggy Paint

With the tagline Natural as Mud, Piggy Paint polishes are water-based, low odor, hypoallergenic, and cruelty free. Ingredients include water, acrylates copolymer, and neem oil.

Simply paint on your nails and set for about a minute with a hair dryer on low heat. Once it dries, it'll harden and wear quite well. Remove with Piggy Paint Nail Polish Remover, made with corn alcohol, Aloe Vera extract, Vitamin E, and an embittering agent (to prevent ingestion).

We adore Sometimes Sweet, a deliciously shiny, candy apple red, LOL, a really fun, neon magenta with a shimmery finish, and Midnight Pansy, a deep, dark purple.

Suncoat Girl

Suncoat Girl polishes are made with water, acrylic polymers and polyurethane (plastic), mineral-based pigments, plastic glitter, and carmine. Rather than releasing those stinky chemical fumes, these release water vapor, making them odor free.

What makes these water-based polishes extra awesome? They peel off when you're done! Simply soak your nails in water for a minute or two and start peeling the polish from the corner. No hassle and no need for those icky nail polish removers.

We love Going Green, a metallic hunter green that reminds us of forest fairies, and Mermaid Blue, a stunning, two-tone sea blue with green undertones.

Keeki Pure and Simple

These water-based polishes are 100% biodegradable and completely non-toxic. They don't even contain acetone, which most (supposedly) safe 5-free polishes do. Ingredients include water, acrylate copolymer emulsion, and glycol ethers.

Get Orange Sorbet, a vibrant, neon orange, and Earl Grey Tea, a near-black steel with shimmer.

These polishes wear quite well, so you'll have to use a polish remover. Keeki makes their own corn alcohol-based remover, formulated with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, to nourish and protect your nails and cuticles.

Hopscotch Kids

These biodegradable, water-based, vegan, toxin free polishes are free of all the harsh chemicals that solvent-based nail polishes contain. Ingredients include: water, acrylic polymer emulsion, +/- CI15850, CI77492, CI77499, CI77289, CI77891, and/or mica.

These long lasting polishes come in three colors: You Are My Sunshine, a sparkly sunny yellow, Ice Cream, Soda Pop, a pale, shimmery pink, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, a pretty, light silver.

They also carry their own soy polish remover, which can even remove your solvent-based polishes. Make the switch now!

Which nail polish will you choose for your mani / pedi bonding session?

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