While backstage at Maiyet’s Fall 2014 show in Paris, I came across a rainbow assortment of pretty new nail varnishes at the nail station. Manicure artist Marian Newman showed me a breaking new beauty line called Kure Bazaar Paris, and she used the Khaki shade on the models for the show. This brand of pretty polishes, she told me, is really causing a stir in the nail stakes, as the products are 85% organic. I was intrigued to find out more about this fast-drying organic alternative to nail polish.
While pregnant with her son, founder Kartika Luyet (a former model from Brazil) wanted to reduce the amount of toxins entering her body, so she set about to create a line of safer nail paints with the help of friend and beauty entrepreneur Christian David. David was the founder of Honoré Des Prés perfumes, a favorite of the Colette boutique in Paris (producer of fragrances like I Love Les Carottes and Vamp À New York).
The reduction in toxins, I was told, is due to the addition of wood pulp, wheat, cotton, potatoes, and corn. In a step towards safer cosmetics, the products come without synthetic camphor, toluene, and formaldehyde. With 30 trending shades to choose from, like “Catwalk” (an inky aubergine) and “Stiletto” (a vampy red), make room on your dressing table for some of these chic little white-tipped bottles and you’ll have a set of glossy nails complete with a clear conscience.
