Beauty Reporter.(Acquarella Water Colors, nail color)(Brief Article)

Beauty Reporter

IN THE NEWS

Nail safe

Like the sting of a bikini wax, nail polish's noxious smell has been one of beauty's necessary evils. Now a new fume-free nail-color line called Acquarella Water Colors is floating into salons like a breath of fresh air. The polish is water-, not oil-, based and devoid of many chemicals commonly found in nail polish, such as formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates. "The polishes are nontoxic, so -- while we're not recommending this, of course -- you could even drink them," says Polly Deason, marketing director for Acquarella. "They're great for women who have sensitivities to chemicals or are pregnant." Dermatologists see their benefits, but some smell a whiff of hyperbole. "Sensitivity to the chemicals in nail polish is extremely rare -- in 28 years I've probably documented three cases," says Lexington, Kentucky, dermatologist Joseph P. Bark. For most women, Acquarella's real value may be that it requires fewer toxins to take off: Unlike regular removers, which can thin the nail plate, Acquarella's formula of water, rubbing alcohol, and aloe significantly reduces drying and damage. Bottom Line: Since the polish is odorless, we painted all ten fingers without our husband detecting a thing.

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ROBYN FORMAN

Beauty Reporter