What is Big 3 Free and My NP Haul

This is turning out to be a nail blog! 

However, I am sticking to my theme of minerals or no harmful chemicals as much as possible hence my purchases of Big 3 Free polishes.

What was that again?  

As you may have noticed in previous posts I keep mentioning Big 3 free polishes.  What does that mean?  Big 3 Free means polishes free of the 3 toxic chemicals: Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP or Dibutyl Phthalate.  

To break it down:

DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) - is commonly used as a plasticizer.  This chemical is banned in the European Union and is restricted for use in children's toys.  Possible health issues with the use of DBP: suspected teratogen (may cause birth defects), carcinogen (can cause cancer), diabetes, obesity, suspected endocrine disruptor. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dibutyl_phthalate

Formaldehyde - is a chemical found in disinfectants, embalming solutions, used in industrial applications like car manufacturing as an example.  It is toxic, carcinogenic and allergenic.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde

Toluene - is a common solvent found in paint thinners and disinfectants. It's vapor has intoxicating effects that makes it prone to be abused as an inhalant. It is also teratogenic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toluene

http://teratology.org/updates/55pg145.pdf

http://www.aapsj.org/view.asp?art=aapsj080249

Since the content of these in nail polishes is not that high, I am not saying that using them is a no-no.  It is just my choice to avoid them as much as possible because I plan to have another baby in the future.  I am just keeping myself healthy for what might happen.  

Also, I have observed that polishes that contain the Big 3 turn my nails yellow and brittle/soft making it prone to peeling.  In the past few weeks I've been using nail treatments so now my nails are slowly getting stronger and healthier.

Locally available Big 3 Free polishes are Orly, OPI, Zoya, Lippmann and Cutex.   Too bad that they are a bit expensive here so I source mine from the US.

Edit to add: Essie, Dashing Diva and Sally Hansen are locally available and are B3F too.

Please remember that this is my opinion and applies only to me.

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And now for my nail polish haul:

I am hyperventilating!!!  They all look so lovely.

China Glaze polishes L-R: Grape Pop, Heli-Yum, Refresh-mint

Color Club polishes: Best Dressed List (L), High Society (R)

Orly Mani Minis L-R: Top 2 Bottom, Lollipop, Lemonade, Gumdrop

Yelo - Out.  Notice how the liquid is violet in color?  I assume it's to optically disguise the yellowness of the nail.

Dr. G's Whiter Nails Set.  I am excited to use this one.  I just want my tips to be really white.

The others in the photo is a red mini Essie polish given to me by the seller, Seche Vite Fast Dry topcoat and Orly Nail Whitening packets.

Oh and I already got my Fit Flops Pietra in Pewter.  This was one of my lemmings in a previous post which I said should be in my hands before my birthday.  And now it's here (and I got it at a LOW price from Amazon).

Weee! Love it!

**photo from Bath and Body Works.com