Handmade nail polish that pulls inspiration from the everyday beauty of Michigan's towns, nature, festivals and people. Proudly made in Traverse City, Michigan since 2013.
How it all began:
KC Springberg, founder of Northern Nail Polish.
I made it a passion to research and find a way to create a nail polish formula that was safe for everyone, toxin free, vegan, and was still long lasting and chip resistant.
Why, you ask?
It all started about 10 years ago, when I read an article about how toxic nail polishes were. It was once believed that these nasty chemicals that were used in mass nail polish formulation didn’t absorb through the nail. However, during a study, it was shown that chemicals like dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde had in fact gotten into women’s bodies and showed up present in blood tests after applying conventional nail polish.
Painting my nails was always a calming, therapeutic activity. I enjoyed going through my collection, reading all the nail polish color names on each bottle, sorting them different ways, and choosing the one to wear for the week. I would soak my hands and feet in a tub of warm water and bath salts, pamper myself with a full manicure, and listen to my favorite music. So you can imagine just how disappointed I felt when I read that article making me realize how much I was exposing my body to harsh chemicals.
Instead of quitting, I started researching. I got passionate about the topic and wanted to find out more about nail polish formulation. I dissected each ingredient’s purpose. I found out about how toxic conventional polishes are, how they contain endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. Scary stuff! And that’s how Northern Nail Polish was created!
About the formula:
Northern Nail Polish uses the most natural, vegan ingredients known to form a long lasting, chip resistant nail polish that can be easily removed by our natural and nourishing soy-based polish remover. All polishes are 10-toxin-free, cruelty-free and vegan, and pigmented with minerals so they won’t leave stains on your nails after removal! I think people come back because of the quality. They buy it first because of the cute name or the color, but then they keep coming back because they love the long lasting finish, knowing they can wear nail polish without feeling like they are being exposed to harmful chemicals.
Northern Nail Polish helps you say NO to these toxins, chemicals & allergens:
KC Springberg, founder of Northern Nail Polish in her studio creating vegan 10-toxin-free nail polish.
No Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
No Camphor
No Formaldehyde or derived Resins
No Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
No Ethyl Tosylamide
No Xylene
No Toluene
Non-GMO
Fragrance Free
Paraben-Free
Phthalate-Free
Eco-conscious (Small batch, handmade, plants a tree, waste reduction manufacturing, eco friendly packaging and shipping)
Vegan (No animal derivatives at all)
Cruelty-free (Not tested on animals at all)
As well as these other ingredients we get asked about:
No Acetone
No Gluten
No Benzene
No Cyclic Silicones
No Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
No Hydroquinone (HQ)
No 4-Methoxyphenol (MEHQ)
No Nonylphenol Ethoxylates
No Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide
No Chromium Oxide Green Dye
No Bismuth Oxychloride
No Carcinogenic Mutagenic
No Reprotoxic Substances (CMR)
No Styrene
No Glycol Ether of Series E
Now what?
Northern Nail Polish is now my full time job, and between going to craft shows, educating and sharing information with anyone who will listen, fulfilling orders online, talking to customers, managing social media, formulating new colors and products, and launching seasonal collections, it keeps me incredibly happy and busy!
My favorite part of running a business is attending craft shows where I get the chance to reconnect with supportive customers, meet new faces who discover my brand, and meeting and supporting other artists and shop owners who equally pour their hearts into their endeavors. I love connecting with others in our community, and I am so grateful for the opportunities and the amazing support everyone has shown to me and my business! Believe it or not, within a couple years of operating, my inbox was flooded with positive testimonials, and my social media pages were filled with pictures of manicures sent in from amazing and loyal customers using Northern Nail Polish colors.
Northern Nail Polish is mother approved and tested ~ pregnancy and child-safe.
About the maker:
Meticulous product development, listening and understanding customer feedback, and quality control are all important aspects of running a successful business. However, what I really take pride in is all of the research, time, and devotion that I have put into my work.
I love it, I live it!!
The heart and soul and reason for me to even become an entrepreneur in the first place has always been to make products that are great quality, cleaner and better for you than the conventional, has low impact on the beautiful environment that surrounds us (not only here in Northern Michigan, but everywhere,) and to support local economy and other small businesses.
When I’m not creating, researching, curating, or working on orders, I enjoy photography, spending time with my son, painting, traveling, and spending time outdoors camping or skiing here in beautiful Northern Michigan.
What customers have to say:
“I love the colors which remind me of Michigan. I love the toxin free formula for my daughters and I. I love the names for each color. I love everything about these products and will never buy any other polish again.” - Laura G.
“These are the best nail polishes I have ever used! Not only are they innovative with the colors, but all the products last longer than any polishes I’ve ever used. They stay chip free for many weeks and when I have a pedicure, they stay until I take them off. I can’t say enough about these products and tell others about them. The colors are always beautiful! Makes it hard to pick just a few. Want them all!” - Sophia D.
“Looks so good even after one coat! Since I’m pregnant, I love that it’s toxin free. The top coat makes a really nice shiny finish. Can’t wait to buy more colors!” - Emily W.
Northern Nail Polish is safe for all, with a non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free formula. Made and inspired locally in Michigan. Long-lasting & chip resistant. Suitable for all ages and stages in life.
Northern Nail Polishes are always available to order from my website, at NorthernNailPolish.com/shop. There are also several amazing shops and boutiques in Michigan (and around the country!) that stock my products. Check out the “Find Us” page to find a craft show, event, or shop closest to you! For more information, you can reach out to me anytime at northernnailpolish@gmail.com
What's in a Bottle?
Northern Nail Polish Ingredients: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isobutyl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Adipic Acid / Neopentyl Glycol / Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Silica, Styrene / Acrylates Copolymer, N-Butyl Alcohol, Diphenylmethanone. May also contain: D&C Violet #2, Polyester glitters, Mica/titanium dioxide/iron oxide.
Because Northern Nail Polish uses minerals and mica as the colorant to the nail polish, you don't have to worry about stains being left on your nails or any animal derived ingredients in the nail polishes.
Additional Information: We use standard full-sized bottles that are 15ml /.5oz bottle with a flat brush. One large stainless steel ball is included in every polish bottle, and it is safe and recommended to shake your bottle before each use.
Please Note: While we do our best to ensure colors match to the true color of the product, the device you view this listing on may not accurately reflect the color of the polish.