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DIY Kid Safe Nail Polish with only Three Ingredients

Learn how to make this safe DIY nail polish for kids. With only three ingredients you can create your own natural nail polish that is safe for your child to use and doesn’t have harmful ingredients like some other nail polishes do.

No matter what brand of kid nail polish I buy it all seems to peel off immediately after I apply it to my daughters nails. Why? I know it has something to do with the formulation of the polish and keeping the ingredients safe. My frustration with this is that I find little bits of nail polish all over the house! It’s almost a game to my four year old. She paints her nails and then walks around the house peeling it off. Tell me I’m not alone! That’s when I decided that if she was going to use nail polish I was going to create my own DIY kid safe nail polish.

What is natural nail polish?

Natural nail polish is a type of nail polish that is made from natural, non-toxic ingredients. Unlike traditional nail polish, which can contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates, natural nail polish is free from these chemicals and is considered safer for both the environment and human health. Natural nail polish is typically made from ingredients like water, plant-based oils, and natural pigments derived from fruits and vegetables. It may also contain minerals like mica and iron oxide for color. Natural nail polish is often marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional nail polish and is becoming increasingly popular among consumers who are concerned about the impact of chemicals on their health and the environment.

Kid-safe nail polish is a growing trend in the beauty industry, with many companies now offering non-toxic and chemical-free options. Making your own natural nail polish at home is also becoming more popular, as it allows parents to control the ingredients and ensure that the product is safe for their child.

Related post: if you decide you want to purchase kid safe nail polish instead of make your own we’ve got a great list of some of the highest rated kid friendly nail polishes in this post!

non toxic nail polish for kids

I also put together a similar list of other eco friendly nail polishes from Amazon here!

Eco friendly nail polish

My daughter loves all things girly, and I knew if she was going to continue to wear natural nail polish, I wanted it to stay on! I didn’t necessarily want her to use adult nail polish because, well, number 1, it can create a huge PERMANENT mess and number 2, it can be harmful to her (I wouldn’t put it past her to taste it).

DIY kid safe nail polish

Understanding Kid Safe Nail Polish

Kid safe nail polish is a type of nail polish that is formulated without harmful chemicals that can cause harm to children. This type of nail polish is designed to be gentle on young skin and nails while still providing vibrant colors and long-lasting wear.

Kid safe DIY nail polish is often formulated without the following harmful chemicals:

  • Formaldehyde: a known carcinogen that can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation
  • Toluene: a toxic chemical that can cause headaches, dizziness, and skin irritation
  • Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP): a plasticizer that can cause reproductive and developmental issues

Instead, kid safe and natural nail polish is formulated with safer ingredients such as water, natural pigments, and plant-based ingredients.

Kid safe nail polish is a great option for parents who want to provide their children with a fun and colorful way to express themselves without exposing them to harmful chemicals.

I’m happy to say my DIY kid safe nail polish was a huge success!

I can’t believe I haven’t tried this before now.

I can’t wait to show you how easy this is!

Let’s gather up our materials and get this party started!

Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the Amazon links in this post. See more on my disclosure page.

Materials for kid safe nail polish:

  • Old CLEANED nail polish bottle or new one
  • 1 TSP dish soap (remember that anything other than clear will alter the color of your polish)
  • 2 TBSP Elmers glue
  • Eye shadow of choice or Pigment powder: This provides the color of the nail polish. It is important to use pigments that are specifically labeled as safe for cosmetic use.
  • Funnell
  • Mixing Bowl

Preparation Steps

To make kid-safe nail polish, there are several preparation steps that need to be followed carefully. These steps include:

  1. Gathering the Ingredients; It is important to ensure that all the ingredients are safe for kids and do not contain any harmful chemicals.
  2. Mixing the Ingredients: Once all the ingredients are gathered, the next step is to mix them together. It is important to ensure that the mixture is smooth and free of any lumps.
  3. Testing the Polish: After the ingredients are mixed, it is important to test the polish to make sure it is safe and suitable for kids. This can be done by applying a small amount of the polish to a test area and checking for any adverse reactions.
  4. Adjusting the Consistency: If the polish is too thick or too thin, it may need to be adjusted. This can be done by adding a small amount of water to thin it out or more eyeshadow to thicken it.
  5. Storing the Polish: Once the polish is ready, it should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It is important to label the polish with the date it was made and the ingredients used to avoid any confusion or potential safety issues.

Creating the Base

Choosing Colors

When creating a kid-safe nail polish, choosing the right colors is important. Not all pigments are safe for children, so it’s important to use non-toxic and natural colorants. Some good options include beet juice powder, spirulina powder, and mica powder if you choose not to use eyeshadow.

Mixing Ingredients

To make the base, start by mixing the dish soap and Elmers glue into the mixing bowl. Then, add the natural colorants and glitter (if using) and mix well. Be sure to mix thoroughly to ensure the color is evenly distributed. Once you’re happy with the color, the base is ready to use.

Pouring into the nail polish bottle

Once the nail polish base is mixed together, use the funnel to pour the base into the nail polish bottle.

Applying the Polish

Prepping Nails

Before applying the kid-safe nail polish, it is important to prepare the nails properly. First, remove any old polish using an acetone-free nail polish remover. Next, file the nails to the desired length and shape, making sure to file in one direction to prevent splitting. Then, gently push back the cuticles using a cuticle pusher or wooden stick. Finally, wash the hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them completely.

Application Process

First, shake the bottle well to mix the polish thoroughly. Then, apply a base coat to each nail, making sure to cover the entire nail surface. Allow the base coat to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Next, apply the desired color of kid-safe nail polish. Start at the base of the nail and gently brush the polish up towards the tip, making sure to stay within the edges of the nail. Apply a second coat if necessary, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next.

Proper Storage

Proper storage of kid safe nail polish is important to ensure that it remains safe for use. Here are a few tips on how to store your kid safe nail polish:

  • Store the nail polish in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Exposure to heat and light can cause the nail polish to break down and lose its effectiveness.
  • Keep the nail polish out of reach of children and pets. Store it in a locked cabinet or drawer to prevent accidental ingestion or spillage.
  • Make sure the nail polish is tightly sealed when not in use. This will prevent evaporation and help to maintain the quality of the product.
  • Avoid storing nail polish in the bathroom, as the humidity and moisture can cause the polish to thicken or become clumpy.
  • Do not store nail polish near heat sources, such as radiators or heaters. This can cause the nail polish to become too thick or even explode.

Helpful tips

  • Use clear dish soap will be easier to get the desired color
  • Make sure you choose a nail polish bottle with a “mouth” big enough for the funnel to fit through
  • Play around with different eye shadow colors until you get your desired color

Want to know the best part about creating my own polish? I don’t have to use Acetone to remove it! Yep, in my video above I shared how easy it was to remove the nail polish with a paper towel and water.

After all, we all know how harmful Acetone can be.

DIY KID SAFE NAIL POLISH

DIY Kid safe nail polish

Learn how to create your own DIY kid safe nail polish with just a few ingredients! Chances are you have these ingredients in your house now. This is such a fun activity for kids to create their own nail polish. Best part, you don't have to worry about harmful ingredients.

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty easy
Estimated Cost 10

Materials

  • Old CLEANED nail polish bottle or new one
  • 1 TSP dish soap (remember that anything other than clear will alter the color of your polish)
  • 2 TBSP Elmers glue
  • Eye shadow of choice
  • Funnell
  • Mixing Bowl

Tools

  • No tools

Instructions

  1. Mix dish soap, Elmers glue and eye shadow together
  2. Once mixed to the desired color, use funnel to pour nail polish in nail polish bottle
  3. Apply your new nail polish and enjoy!

Notes

Using clear dish soap will be easier to get the desired color.

Make sure you choose a nail polish bottle with a "mouth" big enough for the funnel to fit through.

Cleaning an old nail polish bottle can be tedious. If you would prefer to buy new ones, check out a few sources I have linked in my blog post for new ones. These even come with funnel's!

If you end up making your own nail polish, let me know in the comments below.

I would love for you to Pin the image below to Pinterest if you enjoyed!

DIY kid safe nail polish

Happy crafting friends!

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  1. Erin Magallanes says:

    I made this! Super fun. But I need to figure out how to make it dry before they rub it off, any tips?

  2. ming-wei says:

    it is going to be sticky if the kids wash their hands?

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