I also wanted to know more about nail polish companies going green, and what better way to get into the topic than with a Q & A with Nubar, the company that put its money where it’s recycling bin is…and launched the awareness-generating Going Green Collection – a green polish lover’s heaven with six fab – you guessed it! – greens, a Diamont Seal and Shine top coat and a Foundation base coat!
The Going Green Collection by Nubar
My contact at Nubar said she asked a bunch of different folks to answer my questions, so there’s really no one person to attribute, which is why I kept the Q&A style.
Enjoy friends!
BeautyJudy: Can you tell me why Big Three Free is important?
Nubar: Being Big Three Free is important because we don’t want to cause unnecesssary harm to our own health or to that of our loved ones. Why would we put poisons into our system when there is an alternative?
Conserve from the Going Green Collection
BeautyJudy: How’d it get that term, anyway? People ask me a lot, “what does ‘Big Three Free’ mean?” I’m wondering if you can tell me how that got started, if you know?
Nubar: It’s just easier and shorter than saying Formaldehyde Free, Toulene Free and (DBP) Phthalate Free.
This formulation was an option to manufacturers about 15 years ago, but the formula wasn’t perfected to the degree that Nubar has [perfected it] today. Furthermore, it costs about five times more money to make the 3 Free formula than the standard one. Many of the larger companies and better known companies didn’t want to cut into their profits, not making the change until recently when the traditional formulation was completely banned in Europe. Even now many still use formaldehyde resin, instead of being truly formaldehyde free, to cut costs.
Earth, from Going Green
BeautyJudy: Is there a difference between a polish that is Big Three Free and going green? What does it mean for a polish company to go green, and why did Nubar do it?
Nubar: Nubar, just as in the past when we decided to create a healthy alternative for nails and were the first to make a Big Three Free formula, decided to go a step further and closer to a more natural or health conscious product, and we became certified by PETA as a Vegan and Cruelty Free Company. Why? We did it because we care about our customers.
Forest, from Going Green
BeautyJudy: Are there any challenges in making nail polish that is Big Three Free, or green, as far as how the formula turns out?
Nubar: Yes. There is a fine balance between making it green or Big Three Free and making a product that really works well, and we have it down perfectly. Nubar has been doing this for the past 10 years and has the formulation mastered. Other companies, including well-known ones, just made the decision to change and still have a lot of experiementing to do to have an acceptable formula. When they made the decision to change, they couldn’t change their whole inventory or throw away their existing inventory, so they still have old formula polishes floating around and still have a lot of improvement to make on the new formula.
Greener, Going Green Collection
BeautyJudy: Can you tell me about the Going Green Collection? How did you come up with the names of the polishes? Does it symbolize the company’s commitment to being green or is it to raise awareness?
Nubar: The Going Green Collection was created with the thought of bringing people and nature together. Our thought in naming the shades was of raising awareness of our environment.
Reclaim, Going Green Collection
BeautyJudy: What is your favorite Nubar nail color? Overall product?
Nubar: We have many favorite colors, and they’re ever-changing based upon season, but one of our all time favorites is Nubar Red (#N219). My favorite product is our Diamon Seal and Shine Top Coat, since it’s the best quick dry top coat on the market.
Wildlife, Going Green Collection
If you’re interested in the Going Green Collection, you can purchase the six-color set with a Diamont Seal and Shine Top Coat and a Foundation Base Coat for $49.95, or any of the colors individually for $7.49, here.
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[...] Don’t forget Nubar products are PETA approved, vegan, and Formaldehyde Free, Toulene Free and (DBP) Phthalate Free. You can read a great interview with Nubar about their ethics on BeautyJudy’s blog here. [...]
That first question hits home with me. I have read on this nursing website that 90% of our beauty products haven’t been tested on the affects on our health. After being scared by that and then reading your post, it gives me comfort that there is that 10% that I can trust.
Yes, some of the chemicals that are no longer used in nail polish have been known to cause reproductive issues among other things! most polish companies now make “Big Three Free” formulas, so they are safer products.
Thanks for that post I didn’t quite know the reasons behind the Big 3. I knew which ones they remeoved but not why. I love that collection. I bought it as soon as it hit the Nubar site. Green is my favorite polish shade. I’ve only worn Wildlife. I love Nubar’s duochromes. I’m getting my apartment painted in a few weeks. I had to pack stuff away in my closet. Majority of my polishes are unavailable. No worry since I’ve bought more polish. I have so many untrieds it’s insane.
That collection is really awesome and their formula is pretty good. I love their duochromes too! They’re so multitonal!
Good luck with getting your apartment painted and have fun trying out your new polishes!!
What a great piece, Judy! I can tell you love to write. I’m so glad you did this, such an interesting topic for me.
By the way, I’m going to do the 11 things, inspired by you and Sarah.
Thanks! And I will be sure to keep a look out on your blog for those 11 things!!!