FAQ
Does Piggy Paint wear the same as traditional polish?
Piggy Paint typically wears a couple days shy of solvent-based polishes when applied as directed. Wear depends of on the type of nails, the activities the nails are involved in (polish obviously doesn't wear as well on children because they are so hard on their nails), and how the polish is applied.
For maximum chip resistance, we recommend the following application instructions:
Wash hands with soap and water.
Apply 2 -3 thin coats of Piggy Paint, Air dry 60 seconds.
Blow dry polished nails for 1 minute with hair dryer set on warm heat/low blower setting. Since our polish is water-based, it takes longer to cure and the blow dryer speeds up this process. For safety purposes, please follow manufacturer’s instructions on blow dryer and always monitor your child. (Tip: Sing 2 rounds of ABC's while blow drying for added fun!)
Use Piggy Paint Primecoat for added scratch resistance and Piggy Paint Topcoat for added chip resistance. A little more effort is required to apply all three products, though the result is well worth the extra time. Since our polish does not contain the harsh chemicals found in solvent-based polishes, do not expect it to wear exactly the same (but pretty close). Our customers tell us it is well worth the trade-off for a non-toxic, eco-friendly, odorless alternative!
How large is a bottle of Piggy Paint Nail Polish and Remover?
Piggy Paint Nail Polish is the size of a "normal" bottle of polish (0.5 fl. oz./15 ml), yet has a skinny brush that works well on small nails. Piggy Paint Nail Polish Remover is 4 fl. oz./120 ml.
Why is Piggy Paint as Natural as Mud?
Piggy Paint is as Natural as Mud in the sense that every ingredient in the polish is biodegradable with no traces or residues left behind, thus it would make an excellent addition to your mulch pile. The acrylic resins are present in the polish as emulsions-very similar in form and function to milk. The term "resin" is quite generic and refers to any polymer which can form a film as it dries. In this sense, proteins, celluloses, sugars, and DNA, to name a few "natural" polymers, are resins and none of these are any less harmful than the resins we use in our polish.
Why does my nail polish look milky? Is it still safe to use?
Some of the polishes may have a milky appearance that will disappear upon drying. The polish is still fine to use and will appear vibrant on your nails.
What should I do if there is separation in the nail polish?
Although separation is very minor, occasionally a light ring of color will appear at the top of the bottle. Simply shake the bottle to mix the polish.
What is the shelf life of your polish?
Piggy Paint has a shelf life of several years, though there may be a slight tendency for the polish to thicken as the months go by. To correct this, add a drop or two of water to the bottle and give it a good shake!
What should I do if my polish thickens up?
If thinning is needed, add 1 or 2 drops of water, and shake well. For best results, gently remove any nail polish clumps present on the brush with a paper towel.
Is there anything toxic in the nail polish?
No. There are no toxic chemicals. The resins are polyacrylic latexes with residual monomers well below 100 parts per million. The only co-solvent is a diglycol ether. All colorants are FDA-certified for cosmetic use.
Which glycol ethers are used in the polish?
While there are some indications that two glycol ethers, monomethyl and monobutyl ethylene glycol, may have some potential for harm, the diethylene and dipropylene glycol ethers as a class have been proven safe for human contact. Of these two classes we have chosen to use monobutyl diethylene glycol because of its high boiling point (low flammablility), it's approval for use in California as a non-VOC solvent, its water solubility and its biodegradability.
What should be done to prepare nails before putting on the polish?
Simply, clean nails with Piggy Paint Nail Polish Remover or soap and water. Healthy nails naturally produce a mixture of oils and proteins, which serve to protect, beautify and enhance their appearance. Normal nail polishes remove these substances from the nails, requiring the user to prepare their nails with other products. However, since Piggy Paint Nail Polish is a waterborne polish, it does not remove the oils so your nails remain strong and healthy.
How long will it take for my nails to dry?
Piggy Paint dries to a tack-free state nearly as fast as regular polish, though it takes longer to reach its ultimate hardness. We recommend using multiple thin coats since they will dry faster than one thick coat. If your hands are cold, the temperature is cool, or there is high humidity in the area, it may take longer for the coats to dry. For maximum chip resistance, use the following application instructions:
1. Wash hands with soap and water.
2. Apply 2 -3 thin coats of Piggy Paint.
3. Air dry 60 seconds.
4. Blow dry polished nails for 1 minute with hair dryer set on warm heat/low blower setting. For safety purposes, please follow manufacturer’s instructions on blow dryer and always monitor your child.
Do I have to use a blow dryer to dry the nails?
No, but it is recommended for maximum chip resistance. Since Piggy Paint is water-based and does not contain harsh chemicals, it takes approximately 4 to 6 hours for ultimate hardness to be reached. The blow dryer just speeds up this process. Another alternative is to wait and polish your child’s nails after bath time, before they go to bed. This will allow the polish to cure overnight.
How hard is it to remove the polish? Do I need nail polish remover?
Piggy Paint can be removed within 1-3 days with rubbing alcohol. Afterwards, the polish becomes increasingly more difficult to remove, particularly for dry, porous nails or toenail, and a nail polish remover is necessary. Our Piggy Paint Nail Polish Remover is specially formulated for our polish, though it will remove solvent-based polishes as well. Soak nails for 30 seconds with a cotton ball saturated with Piggy Paint Nail Polish Remover.
Will Piggy Paint Nail Polish stains come out of carpet?
On the carpets we tested, Piggy Paint Nail Polish was easily removed, as long as the stain was taken care of quickly (before it dries). We have had several customers praise Piggy Paint for not ruining their hardwood floors, as well as their carpets. This is not a guarantee; but you have a much better chance of saving your floors with Piggy Paint Nail Polish, since solvent-based polish stains set in immediately.