No, Not All Nail Polish is Vegan: Regular Gel Polish vs Vegan Gel Polish

If you're making the move to a more plant-based lifestyle or you're simply curious about what you're putting on your nails, you may be wondering: ss all nail polish vegan? The short and simple answer is no, not all nail polish is vegan. (But ours is.)

Long gone are the days of needing to use animal products to create our cosmetics. We can create salon-quality gel polish without the use of animal-derived ingredients or byproducts that perform just as well – if not even better. 

And with so many of us becoming more aware of the products we choose to use on our bodies and as part of our beauty or self-care routine, vegan gel polish provides a friendlier choice.

We've answered some of your most asked questions on vegan nail polish, including what makes it vegan and how it's any different from regular gel polish. 

Let's dive in.

Without going into the nitty gritty science of gel polish, we'll answer this one in easy-to-understand terms.

Gel nail polish is essentially made up of acrylic polymers and monomers that harden when cured under a LED or UV lamp (called polymerisation). Along with the acrylic, it often contains some sort of hardening agent and dyes that give polish its colour.

The main difference between gel polish and regular nail polish is the hardening agents – in gel polish, they need to be cured underneath a curing lamp, whereas the ingredients in regular nail polish don't.

When we look at what makes up vegan gel polish formulas, we're simply talking about all the same ingredients found in regular gel polish – acrylic polymers and monomers, plus a hardening agent and colours. The difference is that vegan polish doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients.

Regular gel polish can sometimes contain beeswax or other animal byproducts to formulate the polish, whereas vegan gel polishes only use natural or plant-based ingredients.

For example, microcrystalline wax is a common ingredient in vegan gel polish, which serves the same purpose of producing a classic gel polish consistency.

Vegan and cruelty-free gel polish aren't the same thing and are two completely different categories of products.

Cruelty-free gel polish contains no ingredients that have been tested on animals, which is different to animal-derived ingredients. Gel polish can be both vegan and cruelty-free, but it can also be cruelty-free and still contain animal-derived ingredients.

All of our gel nail polishes are vegan and cruelty-free, so they don't contain any animal-derived ingredients or products tested on animals.

There are no different removal methods needed for removing vegan gel polish compared to regular gel polish. 

You'll still need to use acetone to cut through the gel formula and break down the bond between the gel polish and the nail plate.

Our top methods for gel nail polish removal include:
 

• Magic Gel Remover

• Gel Remover

• 100% Acetone

If you're planning on making the switch to vegan gel polish, there are a bunch of benefits to wearing it over traditional gel polish – some of which we've highlighted below:

One of the best things about incorporating vegan products into your beauty regime is that you're helping to make a difference. 

Going vegan doesn't only need to be about the food you eat; if you choose, you can look to filter out animal products from all aspects of your life, including beauty.

We've not just formulated our gel polishes to be vegan, but they're long-wearing, too. When used alongside our Pro LED Lamp, your mani will be chip, nick, and smudge-free for up to 3 weeks. 

That means you get to enjoy your gel nails for longer, and your gel polish bottles will last longer. That's a bonus for you and your pocket.

One of the reasons so many people buy our gel polishes time and time again is because of their unbeatable colour. You won't find dull or patchy colours here. Every single one of our gels is beautifully pigmented and has a shiny, glossy finish.

Plus, we have over 200 gel colours, from nude polishes to glitter shades, reflective gels, and many more, so you don't have to compromise on your favourite nail colours when you switch to vegan polish.

So, to sum it all up, vegan gel polish isn't formulated with any animal-derived ingredients, like beeswax or animal proteins, but that doesn't take away from the quality.

Our polishes are highly pigmented and glossy and come in a huge range of colours, so you can switch to a vegan alternative and still get the look you love.

Ready to give it a try? Take a look at our full range of 200+ gel polish colours and pick your favourite (or favourites) today. 

And if you're in need of some mani inspiration to get you started, head on over to our blog for our exclusive tips and the latest gel nail trends.