Downtown LA is an expansive playground for inspiration. With historic architecture, sprawling street art, and open sky, it changes from day to night inspiring artists with its spectrum of rich, vibrant hues. Color us inspired. Introducing the Downtown LA collection – dark autumnal tones like forest green and midnight blues and purples, and nostalgic pastels and metallics that transcend seasons are inspired by paint-covered palettes, art in all its forms, and the artists who bring these vivid colors and creations to life. Let’s dig in.
For years, we’ve been traveling the world and painting its colors on our nails in hopes that these destinations will inspire you as much as they have us. We’ve been blown away by how you’ve brought these shades to life, so all these years later, we’re proud to be celebrating our 40th anniversary by coming home and rediscovering our roots. All year, we’ll be paying homage to our hometown, Los Angeles, and its vibrant colors with collections that’ll inspire you inside and out. To kick us off, we’re excited to share a spring palette that will give you the star treatment–introducing the Hollywood Collection, 12 new shades created with Tinseltown in mind. Jump in our red convertible as we explore one of our favorite spots, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and discover how our shades can take you from Hollywood boulevard to the red carpet.
The Brights
Palm trees, rooftop pool days, sunny skies year-round–we captured everything we love about Hollywood in bright, bold shades like Bee-hind the Scenes, a sunny crème yellow that makes you feel like you’re on set, Hollywood and Vibe, the perfect pastel pink that channels the infamous star lined strip, and Rated Pea-G, a palm leaf green that nods to our love of movies.
The Classics
In a town full of legends, we wanted to reinvent the classics by creating a family of neutrals anyone can wear for any occasion. Movie Buff, a timeless ivory crème inspired by old films we can’t get enough of, Suzi Calls the Paparazzi, an ode to being seen and heard, and I’m an Extra, an extra soft blush that will make you feel like you got the part.
The Glitz
Inspired by award show season, red carpets, and star-studded after parties, we created shades that are true head turners. Award for Best Nails Goes to..., a deep crème blue fit for any formal affair. Emmy Have you Seen Oscar? is a vibrant crimson that will make you stand out, and for our 40th year, we gave our iconic I'm Not Really a Waitress a shimmery holographic twist: meet I’m Really an Actress–a sophisticated ruby red that makes dreams come true.
]]>About 17-Free Nail Polish and Why it is Important:
All ella+mila polishes are 17-Free! “What's 17-Free?” you may ask. 17-free is a wonderful thing! It means that all ella+mila products are made WITHOUT:Acetone, Animal-Derived Ingredients, Bisphenol-A, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Gluten, Glycol Ether of Series E (Gycol ethers derived from ethylene oxide), Nonylphenol Ethoxylate, Parabens, Phthalates (including DBP), Styrene, Sulfate, Toluene, Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP/TPP), Xylene
Toluene is a liquid that is used as a solvent and has the familiar smell of paint thinner. You can be exposed to toluene by breathing it in or getting it on your skin, causing skin irritation. Unfortunately, inhaling high levels of toluene is said to be harmful to your nervous system and can cause light-headedness and nausea. Toluene is a toxin that may also cause birth defects and developmental problems in children of pregnant women who have had extended exposure.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) is a commonly used plasticizer and has been linked to cancer. DBP has also been connected to birth defects in studies involving lab animals. In fact, this toxin was added to the California Proposition 65 list of suspected teratogens, which are agents that cause malformations of an embryo.
Formaldehyde is a commonly used chemical to preserve and embalm dead animals (and humans). Its vapors are also irritating and can trigger asthma. Formaldehyde is also a known human carcinogen, a factor directly involved in causing cancer.
Formaldehyde Resin is a derivative of Formaldehyde, mainly used in the production of coatings and adhesives. It is not as toxic as Formaldehyde but can be an allergen.
Camphor is a poison that can cause seizures and disorientation if used in large doses. This chemical acts as a cover on your nails, depriving them of nutrients and causing yellow staining on your nails.
Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP) is a chemical used in plastics toimprove flexibility and as a flame retardant. A handful ofanimal studies and in vitro studies have suggested that it could be anendocrine disrupter which affects your hormones – in particular, it could potentially affect reproductive health and lipid metabolism (that’s where the “nail polish makes you fat” headline comes from).
Xylene is irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. It can cause systemic toxicity by ingestion or inhalation. The most common route of exposure is via inhalation. Symptoms of xylene poisoning include CNS effects (headache, dizziness, ataxia, drowsiness, excitement, tremor, and coma), ventricular arrythmias, acute pulmonary edema, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and reversible hepatic impairment.
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