Go UV Gel Free with the 10 Best Clean Nail Polish Products

With the recent headlines about the potential health risks of UV nail dryers, you may be looking for alternatives. So, what does it take to have pretty nails with a UV-free polishing process? What are the essential accessories and clean products for luxurious UV-free nails this Spring 2023? We’ve rounded up 10 essential nontoxic clean nail products so you can go UV gel free, including stickers, manicure kits, new polish colors and more.

what do you need to be UV gel free right now?

Like us, you may have heard the bad news about UV nail dryers. Though it makes us sad to say, it seems like time it’s for all of us to say goodbye to gel manicures once and for all. But there’s no need to panic!

 

Since short, natural nails are here to stay, brands everywhere are pulling out the stops to make your very own nails look as polished (no pun intended) as possible. Whether you’d rather a low-key, minimalist look, or one that’s vibrant and full of pizzazz, there are many places you can turn.

Here’s everything you need for UV-free nails that are everything you want them to be and more.

10 essential products for chic and stylish UV-free nails this year

1. Compact Manicure Kit

Even though gel nails are over, you (obviously!) don’t have to say goodbye to manicures. After all, manicures are not only about chip-free, long-lasting nail polish – they’re also about setting aside time to take care of yourself. However, we understand that without gel nail polish, you’re going to need to do your nails a little more often – and so you may be interested in learning how to give yourself a manicure at home. This set from Royce has everything you need for the perfect manicure: clippers, cuticle pushers, nail file, tweezers, and cuticle scissors. Though there are other great nail kits out there. We appreciate the simplicity of this one, and its small size. And if you aren’t sure how to give yourself a good at-home manicure? Well, that’s what Tik Tok is for!

BUY NOW – $85.00.

2. Les Mains Hermès, Nail Enamel

If you’d like to use this new, UV-free approach to try out a more minimalist look, we’ve got you covered. And might we recommend this polish from Hermès? This is a lacquer – meaning it lasts longer than a traditional nail polish – and it will leave your nails looking smooth and glossy. And all twenty shades are made with a high concentration of ultra-fine pigments, so you know your minimalist look will still pack a memorable punch.

BUY NOW – $45.00.

3. Mischo Beauty

If your wellbeing is your number one priority, you can’t do better than Mischo Beauty. All of Mischo’s Luxury Nail Lacquers are made completely free of toxins, and they are also vegan and cruelty-free. But you don’t need to worry about durability – because they are still chip-resistant and long-lasting, as well as designed with a high shine. We love this “XO” shade ($21), but the entire line is worth a perusal.

BUY NOW – $21.00.

4. Sundays

Sundays are another favorite nail polish brand – in part because of their body-safe, non-toxic formulas. After all, if you’re going to go to all this trouble to give up UV lights, you may as well make sure everything you put on our body is good for you. If you’re new to Sundays’ line of polishes, we recommend starting with this make-your-own trio set ($54). You’ll definitely want bottles of their top and base coats. Then for your third pick, you can choose the color that feels right.

BUY NOW – $54.00.

5. Valentine’s Day Trio #2

Of course, it’s possible you’re not interested in a minimalist look. After all, maximalism is also having its equal-and-opposite moment, and that’s true even when it comes to nails. And if you don’t want to stop turning your nails into works of art, you don’t have to. There are plenty of UV-free options that will leave your nails as sparkly and extra as ever before. We are longtime fans of Jin Soon – who specializes in a line of vegan, cruelty-free, non-toxic lacquers – and we love this trio she has put together for Valentine’s Day. Simply dash the funfetti topcoat over the juicy pink or red base. Your nails will be as luscious and loud as you could want.

BUY NOW – $39.00.

6. Cirque Colors

We have never before seen nail polishes like the ones from Cirque. Their entire website is worth a look, but you will find it particularly difficult to take your eyes off their holographic polishes. With the help of a magic magnetic wand ($5), the metals in these polishes will activate, and you’ll be able to create epic 3D art.  Browse through their rainbow of fabulous colors – we’re partial to the blue jelly Dream Within a Dream($14.50) –  and watch as your wildest dreams come true.

BUY NOW – $14.50.00.

7. Board Nail Wrap Kit

If you’re not a fan of applying your own polish, have you ever tried a nail wrap kit? These kits could not be easier to use, and they’re the quickest way to achieve the artsy look you aspire to. Simply peel the nail wrap, apply to your nail, file off any excess wrap, and add a topcoat to seal the deal. Easy! We are obsessed with this wrap from Paint Bucket. It is made with 100% real nail polish and requires zero dry-time. And since that checkerboard look could not be trendier, so you’ll want to try this as soon as possible.

BUY NOW – $12.00.

8. Rainbow Cloud Nail Wrap

If you simply must have gel nails… try this rainbow cloud nail wrap from Paint Lab Beauty. You see, the wrap itself is made from gel nail polish, but you won’t have to use a UV light to apply it. Doesn’t this seem like the perfection solution? These adorable designs will stay on your nails for a full two weeks. We know that you’ll immediately want to wear another set. They are the perfect antidote for those mid-winter blues.

BUY NOW – $8.99.

9. Star Gazer Metallic Foil Nail Art Sticker Sheet

And last but not least: stickers. As everyone probably knows by now, stickers are having a definite moment in the sun (as popularized by the television show Euphoria), and nails are one of our favorite places to put them. You can put these on nails that you’ve painted yourself, or even on plain, unpainted nails – seal with a topcoat, and you’ll get to live out all your most fabulist fantasies.

BUY NOW – $4.00.

10. Jeweled Nail Art Stickers

These stickers were created in a collaboration between superstars Lele Sedoughi and Deco Art Beauty, and boy are we big fans. These shimmering rhinestones, suns, moons, and hearts are everything we could have ever wanted in nail art. We can’t wait for them to make every day feel spectacular. If there’s one thing you’ll need for your post-UV days, it’s these.

BUY NOW – $12.00.

best nontoxic nail polish and products with no UV gel needed

Those are examples of the nontoxic clean nail products essential to go UV gel free this year, including stickers, manicure kits – and new nail polish colors. What do you think, dear reader? Ready to say goodbye to UV gel for your nails, and hello to a clean new day?