According to Dr Michael Lam, nail polish commonly contains “toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and formaldehyde”.

These three chemicals have been proven to cause health problems.

Toulene: From eye, nose irritation, tiredness, confusion, dizziness, headache, to nerve damage, and liver and kidney damage

Dibutyl Phthalate: Liver and kidney damage

Formaldehyde: Lung disease, rash, shortness of breath, eye, nose, throat irritation

The makeup and beauty industry is wildly unregulated across the world. From manufacturing to marketing and selling, you don’t really know what you’re in for unless you read the ingredients list. And, many times, even the ingredient’s list presents you with vague terms such as “fragrance”.

Take, for example, this study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

“‘Nontoxic’ nail polish may still contain toxic chemicals,” the study states. “Nail polish brands that claim to be free of several commonly used chemicals linked with health problems may contain other dangerous chemicals.”

So, nail varnish manufacturers are removing the three bad chemicals, and replacing them with equally bad alternatives such as triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) and didiethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Then, they pat themselves on the back and tell the marketing team to announce to consumers that they are now “non-toxic”.

Nope, generally it’s not as safe as it sounds, and there’s no knowing what damage these chemicals could do to your child’s body and health.

Instead, opt for cute nail stickers. Here’s where you can get five cute child-sized nail stickers. You can simply cut them to your child’s nail shape, stick, and remove when it’s time for school.

You’d be surprised but you can walk into Cotton On Kids and find some nail stickers ($7.99) available for purchase. There are four designs, namely hippies ‘70s icons, unicorns and flowers, alphabets and letters, and peace and love.

These little stickers are made smaller for mini hands. Usage is as simple as can be – stick, and peel.

In true blue Smiggle fashion, here’s a set of scented nail stickers ($6.95). Designs range from bears, clouds, stars, donuts, ice cream, to candy – all things sweet and wonderful.

According to the website, these stickers can go into the bath. We’re hoping they’re as waterproof as they sound!

Unlike the previous options, this set of mermaid and friends nail stickers ($11) by Bambini Fashion is actually shaped for the entire nail.

You’ll get cute mermaids, lots of fishies, starfishes, seashells, whales, octopuses, and sea turtles in this set. Oh, it’s scented too! Lots of sensory stimulation going on here.

If the single sheets above were too little for your liking and you prefer to stock up in bulk, this one’s for you – a massive pack of over 520 3D nail stickers ($18.15). Designs range from flowers, fruits, animals, plants, to hearts, and leaves.

Prefer cheap and cheapest? You’ll find the cheapest children’s nail stickers ($1) on Lazada. These cheap nail stickers are apparently from Korea, and there’s a whole lot of designs for you to choose from – Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Princess Sofia, My Little Pony, Tsum Tsum Disney Princesses, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, and more.

If you’re big on Lazada shopping, consider this MiDeer set of nail stickers ($14.50) as well. They look incredibly cute!

Local brand Nodspark seems to have cornered the market for sleek, stylish nail wraps for any ages. Their Kids/Petit range cater for smaller finger and nail sizes, come scentless and are more narrow. Their great for kids aged 3 and up. Naturally the styles are also super appealing ranging from Disney’s Frozen to playful animals and flowers.

Check them out here.

Emery & Co. is another local brand bringing excellent styles of nail wraps to everyone. Their Petite collection is also targeted at kids and includes matching “mummy and me” wraps so that you and your little one can twin. Styles are more along the line of ice cream pastels.

Find out more here.

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