By Sarah Miller, Intern, Women’s Foundation of California
You might think that we Ivory soap lovers here at the Women’s Foundation of California don’t spend much time thinking about beauty products. I’m here to tell you that it’s so not true. We really care about nail polish. No, I’m not talking about the newest shade for charity “Non Profit Nude.”
I had no idea that when I go to my local nail salon, and choose one of those major players’ products I have a 50 % chance of getting a formaldehyde pedicure. I have been helping plan the Momentum Awards 2011 and one of the honorees is the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative. You might not care what’s in your favorite polish, but what about the health of your favorite nail technician? It turns out that it’s not just that stuff you gassed bugs with for your high school biology collection that you have to worry about showing up in your “Pretty in Pink” nail polish.
The Collaborative has identified the toxic trio of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as the polish ingredients posing the biggest health risks including a negative impact on the central nervous system, eye, throat and lung irritation, and potential reproductive repercussions. Hey guys, going for your manly mani? Be sure to check you sperm count afterward.
If you attend the Momentum Awards in Beverly Hills this Friday you will not only have the opportunity to honor those who spark change and meet some of the most influential women and men in Los Angeles, you will also receive a swag bag containing a Big 3 Free summery shade by major California based nail polish manufacturer.
Oh, and I highly recommend Ivory soap. I use it and my nail technician insists that I have “baby skin.”
Tickets are still available for this year’s Momentum Awards where we will honor inspiring women leaders and organizations, including the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative. Learn more.