4 Non-toxic Nail Salons in Vancouver

These four local nail spots offer up all the beauty of a mani-pedi without the worry

Recognizing the consumer demand for more conscious and less harmful beauty products, several non-toxic nail salons have opened in Vancouver over the past few years. They all have in common a similar mission to be sustainable, healthy, better for the environment, vegan, or all of the above—and it all stems from utilizing better nail lacquers in manicure and pedicure services. At the very least, every one of these salons avoid “The Toxic Trio” (Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, and Formaldehyde) of chemical ingredients in the nail polish products they use. From there, each salon has its own unique vibe, brand and colour selection and services.

Here’s our roundup of non-toxic nail salons in Vancouver…

1. Lily & Roo, Kitsilano

Florals meet minimalism at Lily & Roo, a newly opened nail salon in Kitsilano which uses only non-toxic and vegan-friendly products for their manicure and pedicure services. As the mother of a young daughter, salon owner Chloe Lee recognizes the growing trend of consumers being more conscious in avoiding harmful ingredients used in the beauty industry and wanted to open a salon that was free from unnecessary toxins. All products used for Lily & Roo’s polish and nail art services are a minimum of “5-free”—free of the chemicals: formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin and camphor—with high quality and long-lasting brands like Deborah Lippman, Zoya, Bio Seaweed Gel and Madam Glam. At Lily & Roo, customers can enjoy a complimentary cup of tea during their service and relax, knowing that the products used in every step of their services are natural or non-toxic.
A classic manicure begins at $30. Find Lily & Roo at 2575 West Broadway

2. She to Shic, Kerrisdale

Opened by a mother-and-daughter duo, She to Shic was one of the early pioneers in Vancouver for eco-friendly beauty services. The salon was opened nearly 10 years ago in Kerrisdale—constructed with the environment in mind—using materials including recycled glass, bamboo and low VOC paint. Beyond its nail services, She to Shic also offers a full selection of spa services including waxing, facials, massages, makeup application and eyelash extensions—all with the same commitment to green beauty. Some of the brands they use include: Spa Ritual vegan nail polish and Ola, a Hawaiian brand of non-GMO and cruelty-free products.
A classic manicure begins at $35. Find She to Shic at: 2315 West 1st Avenue

3. Joyride Nail Salon, Kitsilano

Boasting an incredible selection of over 350 nail colours, Joyride is a chic and stylish non-toxic nail salon in the West 4th Avenue shopping district in Kitsilano. From start to finish, their services use an all-natural, organic line of exclusive Joyride products. They have a big focus on customer service and details which make your salon appointment a “joyful escape from the everyday.” For example, Joyride keeps track of its clients’ nail polish colour choices, so next time they can find their favourite shades again. Free tea is served (with organic milk), but customers can also upgrade to a cappuccino or latte. iPads are used instead of print magazines, so you don’t have to worry about chipping your nails while flipping through pages. In addition to nail services, Joyride’s newest offering includes facials.
The Joyride manicure is $36. Find Joyride at 1758 West 4th Avenue

4. Line Spa and Polish, South Granville

Located just off the South Granville shopping district at Burrard and Broadway, Line Spa and Polish is a small and intimate vegan nail salon with a dedication to respecting nature, people and animals. They have been 90 percent plastic-free since opening, and are detail-oriented in how they reduce waste to better the environment. For example, they use a peel-off base coat on their glass (instead of plastic) colour charts so they can be reused; they use organic cotton, which is more biodegradable compared to synthetic alternatives; and they sanitize their service tools and towels rather than using disposable products.
A manicure begins at $35. Find Line Polish and Spa at: 1828 West Broadway