Manucurist a touch of clean Parisian chic Manicures
Clean Beauty for Nails?
We've embraced clean beauty in skincare and makeup, but what about our nails? For many, concern over toxic ingredients has led to a break from regular salon appointments. This week I was invited to a private event with Manucurist, a French clean nail care brand, and had the pleasure of meeting co-founder Gaëlle Lebrat-Personnaz. The brand is known for using naturally sourced, plant-based ingredients in its formulas.
The French brand Manucurist introduces a new concept: skincare for your nails. Just as you wouldn't apply makeup without first prepping your skin with a good skincare routine, Manucurist believes the same logic should apply to nail care. Why invest in expensive nail sets without first nourishing your nails? The brand offers a complete range of nailcare products, including exceptional treatment sets. These sets are formulated with ingredients you might find in skincare and haircare products like keratin boosters and natural oils.
What Ingredients is Manucurist using?
Manucurist uses specific plant-based ingredients from renewable sources like cotton, corn, sugar cane, and cassava to replace petrochemicals in its nail polish formulas. Each ingredient serves a specific purpose in creating a smooth, long-lasting, and vibrant polish. Core plant-based ingredients and their roles:
Cotton (nitrocellulose): This plant extract is the primary film-forming agent, helping the polish create a smooth, solid film that adheres to the nail for long-lasting wear.
Corn (acetyl tributyl citrate): Derived from corn, this ingredient functions as a plasticizer, increasing the polish's shine and smoothness to help it form an even, glossy layer.
Sugar cane (ethyl acetate): Sourced from sugar cane, this is used as a major component of the polish's base, providing its liquid texture for easy application.
Cassava/Yuca (butyl acetate): Also contributing to the polish's liquid texture, this ingredient ensures a fluid and smooth application.
Wheat (isosorbide dicaprylate/caprate): This extract is used in the Green Flash gel line to help with both texture and gloss.
Other enriching plant-based actives:
In addition to the main polish components, Manucurist also incorporates other plant-based active ingredients for nourishing nail care products and removers. These include:
Sweet almond oil: Soothes and protects nail fibers.
Sunflower oil: Found in their Base 5.5, it reinforces keratin and prevents nail damage.
Castor seed oil: Used in the acetone-free remover to soothe and treat nails during the removal process.
Moringa seed oil: Deeply nourishes nails and improves the appearance of ridges.
These bio-sourced ingredients are crucial for Manucurist's commitment to "clean" beauty, replacing potentially harmful petrochemicals to create healthier, non-toxic products while still delivering performance comparable to conventional nail polish.
Where to Shop?
The brand is currently available at The Detox Market, with plans to be sold online at Sephora in the near future. The price for Manucurist products ranges from approximately $19 to $99.
