6 Vegan and 5-Free Nail Polishes

For something so pretty and fun, nail polish—traditionally known for containing a host of noxious chemicals—can be tough to navigate during pregnancy. Thankfully, many brands over the last few years have cleaned up their acts, going 5-free—meaning they don't contain the toxic ingredients camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP)—vegan and cruelty free. As we celebrate the start of pedicure season, here are six clean polishes to try (in new hues, no less) for spring and summer.

Priti NYC

Certified vegan and 5-free, Priti NYC was born (no pun intended) when its founder, Kim D’amato, was pregnant and eager to use natural, organic products. Inspired by Trieste, Italy, its pre-spring four-color collection is shimmering loveliness, but we can’t wait to paint our toes with this perfectly pink Super Trooper Rose, from the vibrant Summer in Stockholm line (available May 15). $15 each; pritinyc.com.

Deborah Lippmann

A fashion-world favorite, Deborah Lippmann is 5-free (though not certified vegan) and uses botanical ingredients like biotin (a B vitamin often used as a supplement for brittle nails) and green tea. Earthy Terra Nova is a sophisticated camel crème from the Painted Desert summer collection. $18 each; deborahlippmann.com.

Mineral Fusion

Mineral Fusion—whose makeup and skincare products are formulated with minerals like copper and zinc—turns out polishes that are not only 5-free and vegan, but void of just about anything that could raise a red flag (gluten, parabens, talc). We like this cool, blue Cerulean Rock for a manicure. $8 each; mineralfusion.com.

TenOverTen

The staying power of a mani-pedi can often depend on a first-rate base coat and top coat. TenOverTen dipped its toes into nail care last spring when it launched its 5-free and cruelty-free strengthening Foundation base coat—packed with vitamin E and horsetail grass to help lacquer adhere and to guard against cracking and peeling—and the Shield, a high-shine top coat that prevents color from fading and chipping. $18 each; tenoverten.com.

Ella+Mila

Named for the twin daughters of one of its founders, Ella+Mila is vegan, PeTA-certified, 5-free and completely charming. Its stay-put formula comes in a wide range of colors—both trend-forward and classic—and six different collections. Nude Attitude ($10.50), from the Mommy collection, and Pretty Princess ($7), from the Me collection, make one adorable duo. ellamila.com.

Hugo Naturals

The highly pigmented hues of the Play Love Laugh collection by Hugo Naturals are formulated using a blend of fruits and vegetables and are vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and odorless. The bright, fun colors like Sweet Purple (pictured here) last an average of four to five days and can be removed in a snap: Simply soak nails in warm water and peel off the color. $6 each; hugonaturals.com.