Today, more and more nail addicts are looking for nail polishes that are as beautiful as they are safe. But whether with classic nail polish or gel polish, is a beautiful manicure possible without risk to the nails ? And conversely, can a bio-based nail polish offer the same wear time and finish as a traditional nail polish? At Manucurist, we believe yes, and we’ll prove it to you in this ultimate guide to new-generation nail polish.
First, let’s remember that, like hair and skin, nails absorb what is applied to them. It is therefore important to be very careful when choosing cosmetic products. A new-generation nail polish is a natural nail polish with a formula that respects your nails and has a controlled environmental impact. Here is how, at Manucurist, we put this vision of responsible beauty into practice.
A bio-based nail polish
Looks can be deceiving: "bio-based" does not mean "organic". An organic ingredient comes from certified farming, without pesticides or GMOs, whereas a bio-based ingredient refers to a plant-derived material. At Manucurist, Green™ nail polishes are up to 83% bio-based and Green Flash™ nail polishes are 84% bio-based. The goal is to find plant-based alternatives to petroleum-derived solvents and plasticisers. And yes, it’s possible—here are a few examples:
- 🌽 Corn is used to produce acetyl tributyl citrate, which helps nail polish form a smooth, glossy layer.
- 🎋 Sugar cane provides ethyl acetate, which ensures fluidity and easy application of our nail polishes.
- 🍠 Cassava is used to extract butyl acetate, which also thins the polish and makes application easier.
- ☁️ Cotton provides the nitrocellulose that gives nail polish its strength.
These ingredients are not necessarily from organic farming, but they help reduce the product’s carbon footprint, use renewable resources and offer a biodegradable product and more nail-friendly formulas.
Cassava, sugar cane, cotton, corn, potato… our plant-based alternatives to replace petroleum-derived solvents and plasticisers.
A nail polish with natural active ingredients
A new-generation nail polish is a polish in which plant-based ingredients not only replace synthetic molecules but also bring numerous benefits to your nails. At Manucurist, we are constantly looking to harness the extraordinary powers of plants for manicures. You’ll find them especially in our Active™ care nail polishes and our base coat, top coat, nail polish remover and other nail care formulas. Here are the ingredients we use to:
💧 Moisturise : raspberry extract, Moringa seed extract, plant collagen, pomegranate extract, coconut oil, rapeseed oil...
🍽️ Nourish: sweet almond oil, avocado extract, castor oil, peach extract...
💪 Strengthen: green tea extract, spinach extract, lemon extract...
🛡️ Protect : pistachio gum, hibiscus flower extract, ginseng extract...
🍇 Natural antioxidants: beetroot extract, grape extract, cranberry extract, blueberry extract, walnut oil…
Treat your nails to the power of plants.
A vegan nail polish
Choosing a new-generation nail polish also means choosing more ethical and responsible beauty. All Manucurist nail polishes are vegan, meaning they contain no animal-derived ingredients in their formulation, production or manufacturing (goodbye carmine, pigments derived from cochineal insects and animal keratin). You may not realise it, but animal-derived products can hide in unexpected ingredients such as certain colourants or plasticisers. This is the case with shellac derived from cochineal insects, widely used in the cosmetics industry and in many gel polishes to improve wear time. Not at Manucurist, where product ranges are certified by The Vegan Society.
Easy and safe application and removal
As we’ve seen, a bio-based formula does not make nail polish harder to apply. Thanks to carefully selected plant-based alternatives, it retains all its fluidity and flexibility and dries quickly. At Manucurist, we have chosen LED lamps over traditional UV lamps often used in salons. They cure gel polish faster, while emitting less intense UV rays and using less energy. To bring together the LED lamp and application essentials, you can also choose a Green Flash™ gel polish kit, designed for a complete at-home routine.
A new-generation nail polish also means removal that respects the nail. No more acetone removers or removal with an electric file or nail file that leaves nails in poor condition! We favour gentle methods, using a bio-based remover enriched with plant oil, to remove colour easily and quickly while hydrating the nail plate.
LED lamp and gentle remover for smooth & easy nail polish application and removal.
👉 More information on removing classic nail polish here and gel polish there.
A nail polish that does not compromise on performance
Here too, a new-generation nail polish has nothing to envy traditional nail polish and should be just as high-performing! Green™ and Green Flash™ nail polishes tick every box:
✨ Mirror shine, gel effect.
🌈 Over 90 vibrant nail polish shades, from delicate nudes to iconic reds, plus pop, pearlescent and glitter shades.
⏱️ Flawless wear for up to 7 days (with Green™ nail polish), up to 12 days (with Green Flash™ nail polish).
A bio-based nail polish formula that is always ultra-desirable!
An eco-friendly nail polish from start to finish
At Manucurist, our responsible commitment is comprehensive: from what goes into our nail polish bottles to packaging, accessories and logistics practices. Here are a few concrete examples:
♻️ Nail polish, care product and remover bottles in recyclable glass, compostable boxwood sticks, biodegradable nail art glitter.
🌲 Pouches in GOTS-certified organic cotton (Global Organic Textile Standard) and FSC wooden brush handles (from sustainably managed forests).
📦 FSC-certified cardboard packaging, no excess plastic packaging, packing peanuts made from 100% corn starch, optimised logistics chain.
A greener manicure also means making better choices, from formulation to the last mile. There is still much to do, but every action counts!
In short, choosing a new-generation nail polish means opting for formulas made with naturally derived ingredients, safe for you and without giving up the style and pleasure of a beautiful, easy, long-lasting manicure. It would be a shame to miss out, wouldn’t it? 🌳🐰💅
