Summer is here, which means it’s time for fun under the sun. Certain colors are “in” during the summer season, so we’ve listed some of the most stunning shades to help you brighten up your day. These vibrant nail polishes aren’t tested on animals and don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients (they’re vegan). Animals used in experiments, such as rabbits and rats, simply want to live in peace. They’re also doting parents—rats will even dip their paws into cool water to clean their infants’ faces. Don’t let animal experiments darken your bright summer days—choose from these brands, and you can rest assured that your look will be totally animal-friendly.
This earthy emerald green is everything, and so is Adesse New York! Its nail-care products are vegan, animal-test free, and eco-friendly—plus, they nourish and rejuvenate your nails.
The 90s are back, baby. L.A. COLORS neon jelly polish pairs perfectly with glitter jelly sandals, frosted eyeshadow, and matching butterfly clips.
A Guide To Vegan Nail Polish, Gel & Acrylic
Base Coat has nail salon locations in six states and sells its cruelty-free, nontoxic polish through its website. Below are the perfect pinks for summer: Taurus and Polka.
786 Cosmetics ships internationally, so it’s perfect for your summer study abroad or sabbatical—or for any travelers who identify as citizens of the world.
To find out if a beauty or personal-care product brand is naughty or nice to animals, search our Beauty Without Bunnies database.
About Northern Nail Polish
Want to learn more about cruel, archaic tests on animals, which are totally unnecessary for creating great beauty products? Read more about product testing, and check out the video below.
“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE
Text ARMY to 73822 to urge the U.S. Army to ban the use of dogs, cats, monkeys & all other animals in weapon-wounding experiments immediately!Here is an updated list of cruelty-free and vegan nail polish brands. I’ve been compiling this list since 2015, and what started as only forty vegan nail polish brands have now doubled to eighty in 2023!
Vegan Nail Polish
This list of 80+ cruelty-free brands offering vegan nail polishes can be overwhelming, so I’ve included a few of my personal recommendations for the best vegan nail polish. As well as, options for vegan gel polish, water-based, and the most sustainable nail polish brands available!
In addition, we also want to make sure we’re not supporting or buying from any nail polish brands that test their products, ingredients, or formulations on animals. Unfortunately, most drugstore and high-end nail polishes are from brands that still test on animals.
Nail polish brands that are NOT cruelty-free include OPI, CND, Revlon, L’Oreal, Sinful Colors, Chanel, Gucci, Givenchy, Dior, Tom Ford, and Christian Louboutin.
Nontoxic Nail Polishes: Natural Nail Polish That Won't Chip
A note on Sally Hansen and Essie, both these brands have started advertising some of their nail polish as ‘Vegan.’ However, I could not get a clear answer from Sally Hansen and Essie if they test on animals, which is why they’re on my Grey Area brands list.
All of the nail polish brands mentioned in this post are from brands that have been verified as being truly cruelty-free and don’t test on animals. Note that I’ve included some options from cruelty-free brands that are owned by an animal-tested parent company. If you choose not to purchase from these brands, avoid the ones marked with an * asterisk.
And all of these cruelty-free nail polish brands offer at least one or more vegan-friendly nail polish that doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan Nail Polish Is Everywhere—even Rite Aid
If you’re looking for a particular product like vegan gel polish or water-based formulas, keep scrolling down to find some of my personal recommendations!
Although some of the brands may not be entirely 100% vegan, I made sure only to include brands that offer at least one or more vegan nail polish product. Brands not marked as “100% Vegan” may carry
Below is a list of my personal recommendations for some of the best cruelty-free nail polishes, whether you’re in search of an affordable, gel, sustainable, or water-based vegan nail polish!
Best Pregnancy Safe Nail Polish 2021
If you’re looking for cheap vegan nail polish that you can get at Target, Walmart, Ulta, London Drugs, CVS, or Superdrug, I recommend Zoya, Pacifica, ORLY,
Get a professional vegan nail gel manicure in the comfort of your home with these cruelty-free and vegan soak-off gel polishes: Madam Glam, Kiara Sky, Dimension Nails, Color Club’s Gel, and ORLY GELFX. You will need an LED or UV lamp when using these vegan gel polishes.
Unfortunately, zero-waste nail polish doesn’t exist. That’s because nail lacquer is a polymer and is essentially plastic. But if you’re looking to support a vegan and eco-friendly nail polish brand that mindfully produces its nail polish collection while minimizing its environmental impact, here are my top recommendations: Sienna, Kester Black, Ere Perez, Dazzle Dry, and OZN.
The Ultimate Guide To Cruelty Free Nail Polish: Brands That Do And Don't Test On Animals
Want a virtually odorless, vegan non-toxic nail polish that’s safe enough for your kids to use? Give water-based nail polish a try like Honeybee Gardens, Piggy Paint, and SOPHi.
I recommend Zoya’s vegan nail polish remover or try a soy-based nail polish remover like Karma Organic and Sienna. Note that soy-based, cruelty-free nail polish removers take a little longer to remove polish from your nails, but they’re much gentler on your nails and hands over time.
Shopping at Target? You can find Ardell, ella+mila, Habit Cosmetics, Honeybee Gardens, Nails Inc, Nailtopia, ORLY, Piggy Paint, Seche, SOPHi, and tenoverten nail polishes and nail care products at select Target stores.
Pop Arazzi Nail Polish Lovely In Lilac 0.5 Oz.
⭐️ 2023 Update! Added more recommendations for the best cruelty-free nail sets, press-on nails, vegan nail strengtheners, dip powders, nail wraps, and vegan nail glue.
Repair dry, brittle, weak nails with these best vegan nail strengtheners: Orly Nail Defense Nail Strengthener, ella+mila Nail Strengthener, Londontown Get Well Nail Recovery, tenoverten Strengthening Base Coat, sundays Nail Strengthening Base Coat, and Nailtopia Nails are Strong Kit.
Dip powder nails deliver long-lasting color without curing or UV lights, and they’re easy to do at home. To get started on vegan nail polish dip powder, try Kiara Sky Dipping Powders Essential Kit and Color Club Dip Treatment.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish: Salon Style Home Manicure For $10
Whatever color you’re looking for, there are plenty of vegan cruelty-free nail polish sets that will have all and exactly what you need. These vegan nail polish sets also make great gifts during the holidays or any celebration. Take a look at Barry M, Nails Inc, Deborah Lippman, ella + mila, Static Nails, Deco Miami, Sienna, Color Club, gitti, BKIND, manucurist vegan gel polish set, sundays, and Ciate’s nail polish advent calendar.
Get fun and intricate designs on your nails with easy-to-use, stick-on, vegan nail wraps. Ciate and Lauren B Beauty have great designs to elevate your at-home manicure!
Fake nails have come a long way with the latest trend of press-on nails. For quick and easy manicures, I recommend trying these cruelty-free press-on nails: Static Nails, Ardell, Color Club, Madam Glam, and Kiara Sky.
Promo Karma Kids Nail Polish Box Set No. 1 Natural Safe Nail Polish Cicil 0% 3x
Since 2015, ethical elephant has been a place to share all things related to cruelty-free beauty and vegan fashion + now expanding into sustainability!
My friends call me Vy! And this is a one-woman operation. I do all of the research, reaching out to every brand, writing, and designing everything you see on this blog and on social media!
If you found any of my resources or posts helpful, please kindly consider supporting me so that I can continue to keep producing helpful and awesome content.
The 23 Best Nontoxic Nail Polishes Of 2021 — Reviews
I appreciate your continued support and if you ever have any questions or feedback, the best way to reach me is by email.
Want to say hello, ask a question, send a special request, or collaborate? — I’d love to hear from you! Connect with us at [email protected] .We've reached out to all the nail polish brands to bring you this post. The main thing I'd like to point out is that Essie and OPI, 2 of the most popular nail polish brands, DO test on animals by selling in China. Sally Hansen is another culprit.
👀 Our April box is almost sold out! Get $109+ worth of cruelty-free and vegan skincare, makeup, and hair care for as low as $34.99. Click here to claim your box.
Cruelty Free Gel Nail Polish Brands That Really Nail It
Regardless, you'll notice that there is an overwhelming number of cruelty-free nail brands to choose from, so there's no reason to have to support a brand that tests on animals! The list of cruelty-free nail brands includes China Glaze, Deborah Lippmann, LVX, Orly, and Seche Vite.
I've included options for every budget, from 99¢ drugstore products to indie and high-end luxury polishes. Some of these brands are also 100% vegan, and you'll find it clearly noted in the list when this is the case.
First up are the brands that DO test on animals. Note that some of these brands don’t conduct any animal testing themselves, but fund animal testing by selling their products in mainland China. This means they're not cruelty-free.
Vegan Nail Polish: How To Tell If Nail Polish Is Vegan
These nail brands confirmed that no animal testing takes place at any point during production, including by their suppliers, and they do not sell their products in mainland China. Many
