Non-toxic beauty trend: Jamberry Nails - Rochester Natural Beauty

Non-toxic beauty trend: Jamberry Nails - Rochester Natural Beauty

As someone who focuses solely on the green and natural beauty industry, it can be really hard for me to find products that are completely safe, but that leave my nails looking beautiful. I always have viewed by nails as a reflection on my personality-of my creative side.

Karley Ziegler Mott While you typically will find me sporting black, charcoal, and the occasional navy or chocolate brown, I do not tend to wear lots of color unless it is in my accessories. I like to treat my nails as accessories. In fact nail tech Elizabeth West from the Michael Spitale Salon in Rochester, NY once told me that nails are "jewels, not tools." I believe this!

I have always had a love-hate relationship with nail polish. I don't have a steady hand. I can spend an hour painting my nails to have them looking pretty on a Sunday night only to have them chipped by Monday afternoon. Then there are the chemicals in most polish--and the fact that I need to use more chemicals in nail polish remover.

When I was sent some sheets of non-toxic nail wraps last winter from Jamberry Nails, I was skeptical. I assumed they were just nail stickers. I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried them!

Jamberry Nails apply very easily with heat from your hair dryer and pressure.

Jamberry Nails look professional and are durable.

Jamberry Nails are long-wearing. In fact, they can last up to 2 weeks.

Jamberry Nails are made in the USA and are cruelty free, vegan, and gluten free.

There are over 300 designs of these nails wraps. As opposed to stickers made from nail polish--you have seen these at the drugstore, no doubt--these do not chip. These are made of a special material that is heat and pressure-activated. By following some easy steps, you will be able to enjoy a nontoxic, professional looking manicure in about a half hour.

Make sure your nails are free of any traces of nail polish. Clean them with a brush.

Lightly buff nails.

Push back cuticles with an orange stick.

Wash nails with a non-greasy soap to remove natural oils.

Swipe an alcohol pad over clean nail. This helps ensure natural oils aren't left behind.

Now that you have prepped your natural nails, you're ready to apply. I am always able to get two nails per adhesive wrap. I cut each in half. Then I warm the back side of the wrap for a few seconds.

I press it firmly into my nail and apply pressure with the Jamberry rubber cuticle pusher. I then add more heat to seal. I cut excess with sharp cuticle scissors and rarely need a file. If I do, I use a glass file, such as those sold at Ulta and Sephora.

One reason I simply adore these nail wraps is the fact that I never, ever have to use nail polish remover again. Of course you can, if you so choose. However, if you soak your fingernails in a natural oil such as grapeseed or olive, you can gently rub the oil underneaty the wrap and gently peel up. Simply peel off the wrap, scrub nails with a nail brush, wash, and get rid of any residue with an alcohol pad.

With over 300 designs from which to choose, the toughest part of the process is deciding which ones to pick next!

Jamberry Nails are sold online and in person through independent consultants in the US and Canada. If you absolutely MUST use polish, Jamberry just released a brand new high-end Nail Lacquer. I'll talk about this later in a separate post, but my peers in the beauty industry have said it rivals even thoe most exclusve 5-free brands!