American Apparel Nail Polish News
I don’t know how many of you read Jezebel on the regular (I have it in my Google reader) but today they published an article titled Does American Apparel’s New Nail Polish Contain Hazardous Material? that I feel the need to address.
First, many of you have emailed me asking about this line and if I will be reviewing it. As you know, the polish has been back-ordered on the site so it wasn’t easy for me to obtain. I did receive a few sample bottles from their PR reps and have been testing the formula for review since I don’t like to write about new brands without some kind of wear test. So that’s why you haven’t seen mention of the line on ALU yet.
Second, I think it’s irresponsible of Jezebel to title their post in such a way. Yes, it gets eyeballs but considering that most people just skim nowadays, it can potentially be harmful to the brand and scary to the public. Here’s what you need to know…
* There is an issue with the “quality” of the bottles and from what I’ve heard, some people have received broken bottles in the mail. Then again, that’s happened to me with non-American Apparel polish.
* All nail polish is deemed a “hazardous material” by the USPS which is why it is required to be shipped ground. They even reference needing special measures for disposal but that is true for all nail polish. I’m assuming American Apparel was using an air method for shipping their packages which is why they can’t ship that way anymore. Heck with FedEx, I have to sign for nail polish packages because polish is so “dangerous.”
ps. I know plenty of you swappers/e-tailers out there use non-ground methods but you do so at your own risk. Say it with me Fanatics, “Does this parcel contain anything fragile, liquid, perishable, or potentially hazardous?”
* American Apparel polish is being pulled from the shelves but not being recalled. So you don’t have to pitch your bottle for fear of using a lethal product. The bottle is obviously weak so I wouldn’t suggest playing catch with it.
Here’s what’s going to happen. According to the document obtained by Jezebel, American Apparel is working with their supplier to improve the quality of the bottles and will restock in the next week or so. So those of you still dying to get your hands on these new colors, the wait won’t be that long.
In the meantime, look for my review of the formula and colors I received soon!
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
Good for you for calling Jezebel out for their irresponsible article! I heard the rumblings and went straight to the company for the truth. Their response is posted on my blog.
I was able to buy this at the American Apparel store last week and tried the peacock out first. Loved it! I think it wore pretty well also. I have on the bluish-purple color (can’t remember name right now). Don’t love the color. I want to get my hands on the grey ASAP.
I have recieved broken Nail polish bottles in the mail before from other companies! It happens! I have never had a problem with any exchanges. I love the American Apparel colors and would buy them!
Thank you for such an informative post without any accusations and scare tactics! I have most of these polishes and wasn’t terribly concerned when I heard about quality issues from a safety standpoint. Her post does nothing but instill unwarranted fear in some people, so thank you for your calm, rational explanation! Can’t wait to see their new shades
I heard that they were being pulled due to a “labeling error” but now it’s because they’re completely sold out? Why the contradictory information, AA?
I wouldn’t take the Jezebel article to seriously. It may be one of my favourite websites but they don’t care about nail polish but they care a lot about attacking Dov Charney & his company, which I can understand.
I was wondering why they weren’t available on the website anymore! I went to my local AA (I work down the street from one) and they were out of the colors that I wanted. I hope they bring them back because I really want Office and Mouse! BTW, I pretty much always get my polishes by USPS and have never had problems other than the polishes getting that hot toxic smell.
I have both Mouse and Office. I love love love them, especially Office.
The people who are responsible for this article obviously have never mailed out nail polish before. Between the breaking bottles and the hazardous material designation of nail polish by USPS, sending out the polish before the problem is addressed represents a major liability for American Apparel.
Brava, Ms. Mismas! Excellent, objective post. Thanks very much!
Not that I’m siding with Jezebel here, but to be honest, I won’t even consider buying that polish because I do not support AA, their image, their marketing, the whole 9. I think they’re highly disrespectful towards women and don’t find any sort of cleverness in making your product photos and advertising look like some weird homemade softcore.
I completely agree. AA and Dov Charney absolutely disgust me. I don’t care if their nail polish is the most amazing polish in the world. I refuse to purchase anything from them.
Agreed. There is nothing that I see that can’t be found from companies that aren’t as exploitive as AA.
the quality is really good…it was that perfect consistency where 2 coats is just enough and it lasted without chipping for 6 days. the colors are unique i mean manila? so cute. and downtown la is the perfect shade of red. i like it, i plan on buying a few more for sure.
Well Jezebel really *dislikes* American Apparel, so it’s not very surprising that they chose to keep that wording.
I saw this article as well, glad to know they are working with the company to remedy the problem.
COMPLETELY agree with Shatteredshards. The article does seem alarmist, but it’s jezebel, isn’t that one of their specialties? Good to see that AA is owning responsibility for improving their bottles to address this.
Wait, so it’s just that the bottle might break/be broken? It’s glass, what do you expect? Like you said, you shouldn’t play catch with it. When I read the first few scentences I thought there was some dangerous chemical in it or something. We have a saying in Holland: you shouldn’t make an elephant out of a mosquito. Wow that sounds weird in english.
We say “a mountain out of a molehill”. Same thing
Hi Michelle:
Just an FYI- Anytime you want to find out if a product, cosmetic, shampoo, nail polish is harmful visit the Cosmetic Database “Skin Deep.” http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/wordsearch_free.php?atatime=100&query=nail%20polish&&start=100 Just paste a word, like for example, “nail polish” and the database will search and list all the polishes the database has tested. If you don’t find your product, not to worry, you can submit yours to the Environmental Working Group and they will begin to add your chemical and rate it from 1-10 1 being the low hazard and 10 the highest hazard. Plus a list of ingredients of the product.
In this case, I believe, the nail polish (were they broken or cracked?)bottles were of poor quality or poor packing and UPS will label any nail polish a flammable liquid because of the nail varnish’s flammable vapor and the polish’s low flash point. Please don’t expose any nail polish or nail polish remover to any extreme heat or flame. Have a nice day!
((((Love Michelle))))
Mc Huggs
Its funny how I can remember when I was a little girl (over 20 years ago now) that my mom used to have nail polishes in those kinds of bottles. Seriously can’t remember the brand and this was back in Mexico too. But with the bottom of the bottle being so heavy compared to the neck… its no wonder its fragile, but isn’t anything made out of glass fragile??? Thanks for the post!
I don’t have any problem with my AA nailpolishes with the colour or the bottle, but I bought my in store and in Canada. Perhaps the Canadian and USA polishes are different. I am loving my AA polishes so far the colours are gorgeous and the wear time is good. I got 5 days wear with mine with a top coat with minimal chipping at the tips. I choose not to wear it for 7 days because I got bored of the colour and needed to change it. I plan to buy more nailpolishes from AA soon.
Picking up on
you know, I don’t love American Apparel so I don’t think I’ll love this polish either.
I found the facts in the Jezebel article much less scary than the headline, and had the same reaction as you. It’s not fair of them to use an alarmist headline. I usually like Jezebel, and I am not crazy about AA’s image & prices, but I think it makes Jezebel look bad when they show themselves to be so slanted against a brand they don’t like. It’s glaringly obvious to anyone who knows anything about nail polish.
I hope your review for the American Apparel polishes is coming soon, am eager to see your take on these cool polishes.