Julep · Nail Polish & Top Coat
Julep Nail Polish Gem Collection 2014 Complete Set Of 12 Full Size
Lower PFAS concern for typical nail polish; no known PFAS triggers, but brand makes no disclosure.
Julep nail polishes are conventional cosmetic lacquers without documented PFAS-prone coatings or stated water or stain resistance. The brand doesn't publicly disclose PFAS absence or testing. Standard nail polish carries lower inherent PFAS risk than treated textiles or nonstick cookware.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
nail lacquer (pigments, resins, solvents)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Is Julep Nail Polish Gem Collection 2014 non-toxic? What it is made of
Julep nail lacquer is a suspension of pigments and resins dissolved in organic solvents (typically toluene, ethyl acetate, camphor, and xylene). These solvents evaporate during drying and curing, so exposure risk is primarily during application in a ventilated space. The Gem Collection uses color pigments and mica-based iridescent additives; no asbestos or heavy-metal contamination has been documented in Julep products.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Solvent inhalation (toluene, ethyl acetate, xylene)
Standard nail lacquer solvents are volatile and can cause dizziness, headache, or respiratory irritation with poor ventilation. Julep's five-free formula excludes xylene, reducing but not eliminating inhalation risk during application.
Skin sensitization from dyes and fragrance compounds
Nail polish can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals due to colorants and fragrance additives, though incidence is low. Julep does not disclose fragrance composition, making individual sensitivity assessment difficult.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Julep's claimed five-free formula excludes formaldehyde; no independent testing or recalls document formaldehyde presence. Verification relies on brand claim rather than public lab data.
Source, ATSDR ↗Lead
No recalls or regulatory warnings for heavy-metal contamination in Julep nail polish are on record. Cosmetic-grade pigments used in branded lacquers are typically regulated, but Julep does not publish heavy-metal test results.
Source, ATSDR ↗Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and other plasticizers
Julep's five-free claim excludes DBP; no public documentation of phthalate content is available, but regulatory compliance for cosmetics suggests absence at significant levels.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Julep does not publicly disclose ingredient testing or third-party certifications for heavy metals or formaldehyde. The brand markets a '5-free' formula (excluding dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, camphor, and xylene), though reformulation timing and verification are unclear. No recalls, safety warnings, or regulatory actions are on record for Julep nail polish.
How it compares in its category
Julep positions itself as a cleaner alternative to conventional three-free or five-free lacquers; claims align with mid-to-premium market positioning. Competitors like OPI and Zoya make similar five-free claims. Julep does not pursue independent certification (such as from EWG or NCBI-registered labs), which is typical for this price tier but limits third-party verification.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated room or near a fan to minimize solvent inhalation. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; if contact occurs, rinse with water. Replace the cap tightly after each use to prevent solvent evaporation and thick application. Remove polish with acetone-based remover; prolonged soaking is not necessary and can weaken the nail plate.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Julep has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.