DESCRIPTION ▾

It wasn’t so long ago that I was a huge fan of REALLY long acrylic nails, religiously visiting the nail bar every two weeks!

When I found out I was pregnant I decided to stop getting them done for various reasons, mainly the fumes that are omitted.

I also opted against using shop bought nail varnish due to their toxic ingredients. Please find a list that is often found in these products,

Dibutylphthalate (Endocrine disruptor. Irritation of the eyes (lacrimation, conjunctivitis) and upper respiratory tract (nasopharyngitis, bronchitis possible), if ingested or inhaled: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hematuria, dizziness, photophobia (sensitivity to light) and nephrotoxicity)

Toluene (Neurotoxic. Its vapours may be irritating to the upper respiratory tract and eyes above 100 ppm. Following repeated or prolonged contact, this product has a degreasing effect on the skin. It can cause redness, peeling and cracking. Inhalation of vapours may cause central nervous system depression.)

Formaldehyde (Carcinogen. In 2004, IARC has classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen to humans (Group 1). In Europe, it is classified as “category 3 carcinogen” (possibly carcinogenic to humans), but after a more severe proposal of France, this classification is under review.)

Xylene (Irritating and nerve: This product causes mild eye irritation and moderate skin irritation. Inhalation of vapours may cause central nervous system depression. Exposure to vapours may cause irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. Following repeated or prolonged contact, this product has a degreasing effect on the skin. It can cause redness, scaling and cracking.)

Colophony (rosin) (Irritating / respiratory disorders: Several cases of skin sensitisation are also reported. The cases are isolated but quite varied: beauticians who applied depilatory waxes containing rosin, as well as artists who reacted to their stage makeup.)

Synthetic Camphor (Irritation: eyes, upper respiratory tract if inhaled: decreased frequency of breathing, slow heart rate, worsened symptoms if inhaled in large doses.)

Source: CSST – Toxicological directory service (HTTP://WWW.REPTOX.CSST.QC.CA/)

Then I discovered the Zao nail care range! My nails are not as long as when I used to don the acrylics, which would not be ideal with a baby they are however really strong and a good length.

I use the hardener at least once a week as part of my nail care routine. It has really helped strengthen my nails due to the silica.

I you are struggling to grow your nails or suffer from brittle nails, this will aid getting your nails in stronger shape.

Midz top tip

Use as an undercoat as part of your nail care routine.

BRAND ▾

About Zao

Co founder, David Reccole is very passionate about Asian countries, much of his inspiration coming from his travels to India, Vietnam and China.

Upon one of his travels he was visiting a Taiwanese friend who presented him with a bamboo mechanical pencil and a bamboo pen. A brainwave soon followed, if it is possible to make a pen surely the same concept can be used to create lipsticks and other packaging specifically for make up.

In 2012 David Reccole, and 2 of his friends, Philippe Donnat and Yvan Rouvier decided to develop an organic make up brand.

Taking their deep values, their love of nature and awareness of our consumption on the environment, Zao was born. The only make brand that is 100% natural and certified organic by Ecocert.

Bamboo was their first choice of material to use when it come to their brands packaging, a natural carbon storer with an exceptional growth rate, it allows Zao products to display a reduced carbon footprint.

Not satisfied with using bamboo for just their packaging they also incorporate formulas in the form of sap
powder, leaf hydrosol or bamboo rhizome macerate within certain Zao products.

Rich in silica, naturally present and produced in the body, it participates in the process of producing collagen, helping preserve the elasticity of skin tissue.

Whilst some packaging is not 100% plastic free, Zao make up may not be perfect but it is the next best thing on the UK market!

HOW TO USE ▾

Unscrew the bamboo handle, attached is a brush.

Remove any excess product, lightly brush on the nail area.

Start with a stroke in the middle followed by a stroke either side.

INGREDIENTS▾

ETHYL ACETATE

BUTYL ACETATE

NITROCELLULOSE

ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER

ISOSORBIDE DICAPRYLATE/CAPRATE

ALCOHOL

N-BUTYL ALCOHOL

PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) FRUIT EXTRACT

CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT

CITRIC ACID

AQUA (WATER)

DISODIUM EDTA

GLYCERIN, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN PG-PROPYL SILANETRIOL

METHYLPROPANEDIOL

METHYLTHIOPROPYLAMIDO ACETYL METHIONINE

POTASSIUM SORBATE

HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE

TRIMETHYLPENTANEDIYL DIBENZOATE

HEXANAL, BAMBUSA VULGARIS SAP EXTRACT

PHENOXYETHANOL

PISTACIA LENTISCUS (MASTIC) GUM

PROPYLENE GLYCOL

SODIUM BENZOATE

SPINACIA OLERACEA (SPINACH) LEAF EXTRACT

TOCOPHEROL

ETOCRYLENE

CI 60725 (VIOLET 2

PACKAGING ▾

Glass bottle.

Synthetic brush.

Bamboo lid.

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