Q&A: What Makes Rachel Worley's Vegan Nail Polish Vegan?
Longtime beauty industry insider Rachel Worley already held an interest in ethical and safe beauty products. And when her son was born, it only intensified. So Worley, 35, launched her own line of 5-free, cruelty-free and vegan nail polish in 2013 and named it James Robert John, after her son, now 4. "Everything about this is what I want the world to be for him," Worley says. "It's from a place of love." She works with a manufacturer to create colorful polishes without harmful ingredients. It's $11 a bottle online and at shops including J.Bentley in Powell and Snow House Gift Shop in Worthington.
What makes THE Polish 5-free?
Many other polishes are 3-free. But we're 5-free, meaning free of (potentially harmful) ingredients like formaldehyde and camphor. We're never tested on animals. The vegan components are the pigments. It's all about knowing it's a safe product.
How do you develop colors?
I start with the names and work backward to the colors. I work with the manufacturer on developing colors. It's a lot of sampling, a lot of back and forth.
You want to give back to the community. How are you doing that?
For the Stefanie Spielman Fund, there's a color called So Much Love. For every bottle sold, we donate $1. It gives people a direct way to support something. We also have a color that benefits the Ronald McDonald House.
Best drugstore find
Aquaphor. I use Aquaphor for everything. Cover Girl LashBlast Mascara is a must, and Simple cleansing facial wipes and eye roll-on.
Beauty splurge:
Dr. Hauschka toner. I keep it simple and really only use a few products.
Five minute makeup routine
I use Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer. Then I do mascara and maybe a little bit of eye shadow. I like Josie Maran's Cheek Gelée. I'm pretty natural.
Go-to hairstyle
My hair is naturally curly, so I let it air dry. As I have gotten older, I have become more comfortable with who I am.
What you love about your job
I have always wanted to own a business. I love being able to put my ideas out there and have it be mine. It's pretty honest, and that's me.
Perfect night out in Columbus
We do a lot with our son. We love to go to Easton and play in the fountains, then eat on a patio. I find so much joy in being content with each moment. So just a simple night out with them is the best.
Style icon
For people I love to look at, it's Olivia Palermo. She is so flawless. I love Rachel Bilson and Nicole Richie: You can feel they are being themselves.
