Blog
côte x Phillip Lim for Fashion Week New York
GET THE LOOK!
LOOK 1: No. 92
1) get off to a clean start with our new take off towels! Gently press the towel on the nail bed for three seconds, then wipe clean. Just one towel does all 10 nails!
2) give your nails a soothing, strong base using our resurface and repair basecoat. Fortified with lavender and ginseng root extract, it's the perfect starter for color application.
3) apply 2 coats of our solid black no. 92 to complete the Phillip lim look.
4) finish with quick dry to keep your polish sealed and ready to wear!
LOOK 2: No. 92 Stripe
LOOK 3: No. 98
1) get off to a clean start with our new take off towels! Gently press the towel on the nail bed for three seconds, then wipe clean. Just one towel does all 10 nails!
2) give your nails a soothing, strong base using our resurface and repair basecoat. Fortified with lavender and ginseng root extract, it's the perfect starter for color application.
3) apply two coats of our no. 98 to complete the Phillip lim look.
4.) finish with quick dry to keep your polish sealed and ready to wear!
why using côte 10-free nail polish is so important
in light of some eye-opening discoveries presented by a recent duke university study, now is the time to switch to non-toxic nail polish. there are long-term consequences associated with extended exposure to nail polish. chemical fumes can interfere with reproductive hormones, cause kidney and liver damage, and at a more immediate level, instigate eye and throat irritation, dizziness, migraines, and dry, cracked skin.
the findings: researchers at duke university tested the urine of 26 women who had recently painted their nails and found evidence of TPHP in every participant. evidence of this chemical in the women’s urine increased sharply after they applied nail polish. the scientists also tested 10 different nail polishes for TPHP itself and found that eight of the ten contained it.
these studies showed that TPHP might disrupt hormones in humans, and in animal studies have also shown to upset reproductive and development processes. the chemical is thought to make polish more flexible and durable; the same chemical is used in plastics manufacturing and as a common fire retardant.
most americans are widely exposed to TPHP, but some research shows that women have higher levels in their bodies. this may be explained by it's prevalence in personal care products for women, including nail polish.
this news is of particular concern for parents when considering that many kids and teens may use these products. for many youngsters, nail polish is the first introduction to cosmetics. but before and during puberty, they are especially vulnerable to hormone disruptors.
before applying another coat of polish, make sure the brand you pick up is free of harmful chemicals, especially TPHP.
shop some of our best sellers today!
New Product Alert: TAKEOFF Acetone-Free Remover!
say hello to TAKEOFF, côte's acetone-free polish remover with essence of wild sea rose.
gentler and less drying than traditional acetone remover, côte's acetone-free remover will gently wipe away polish, giving you a clean nail bed without any chalky residue. protect yourself from the irritating and harsh effects of acetone, without sacrificing your remover performance.
with our innovative twist-lock cap, it has never been easier to safely and quickly remove your own polish at home.
ingredients: methyl acetate, isopropyl myristate, vitamin e acetate, fragrance.
côte collabs: côte x beautycounter
onwards into 2017! a year of cleaner safer beauty!
beneath the label: what goes in your polish and on your nails?
yikes!! read on….
the hype surrounding cleaner, safer beauty products is real, is necessary and is thankfully on the rise.
"formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, gluten"
NO FORMALDEHYDE
NO TOLUENE
NO DIBUTYL PHTHALATE (DBT)
NO FORMALDEHYDE RESIN
NO CAMPHOR
NO TRIPHENYL PHOSPHATE (TPHP)
NO XYLENE
NO ETHYL TOSYLAMIDE/EPOXY RESIN
NO PARABENS
NO GLUTEN
diy pedi: how to get the perfect pedi
it’s august which means we are still solidly in sandal season! it also means
that toes need to look pretty and polished, even if you can’t find time to pop
in for a pedicure. a simple DIY pedi is all you need to show off those feet
and skip away in your cute summer shoes.
we caught up with some of côte’s amazing nail technicians to discover
their secrets for achieving the perfect polished pedi look yourself...
STEP 1: CLEAN & SOFTEN
using a non-acetone remover, gently dissolve away any old polish and
create a clean, dry nail bed with which to work.
if you have a few minutes, soak your feet in a bowl of warm water. add a little body or hand soap to help cleanse, clean and soften your skin and nails, then dry completely.
STEP 2: SHAPE & SMOOTH
clip your nails with a large, straight edge clipper, being careful not to cut
too close to the skin. smooth the edges with a fine grit nail file to attain
your desired shape.
STEP 3: HYDRATE
feet can take a beating, especially in our hot summer months. make sure
to moisturize your feet with a rich cream or oil to keep your skin smooth
and hydrated.
côte’s organic, cold -pressed argan oil is an amazing all-natural
hydrator. put a few drops on each foot and massage into heels, soles, toes and cuticles. after applying oil, make sure to re-clean your nail beds with a quick wipe of non-acetone remover.
STEP 4: PUMP UP THE BASE
start the polishing with one even layer of base coat. don’t make the
mistake of skipping this important step! a good base coat really helps
colored polish stick and last.côte’s smoothing base is an awesome base coat that enhances all nail types. this specially formulated treatment works as a ridge filler, strengthener and primer for natural nails, and creates a great base for polish adhesion.
STEP 5: SHOW YOUR COLORS!
time to paint those piggies! making sure there is a medium amount of paint
on your brush, evenly apply two coats of polish to toes.to really make colors POP, try playing with layering. use one
application of côte no.2 (a crisp, clean white) followed by a layer of your favorite shade. watch the color explode on your toes!
STEP 6: END UP ON TOP
finish and lock in your color with a thin layer of top coat. looking for high-
shine? côte’s strengthening base & top is just the answer. need to jet?
reach for côte’s quick dry top.carefully swipe the tip of each nail to seal the edge and ensure no chips. with your toes attended to and looking great, you’re back in the game! grab those sandals and reach for that beach bag, you’re good to go. (don’t forget your sunscreen!)
show off your perfect pedi in havaiana's in multiple styles.
shop them in our beachwear collection here! 
diy mani: the côte way
at côte, we know nails...it's what we do! we also know that it's not always possible to get your pampering done at your local nail shop, so we've tapped into our skilled and expert techs to provide a few pointers on how to achieve the perfect manicured look when you're on your own.
follow our six easy steps
step 1: keep it clean
ensure that your nails are clean. remove any polish with a non acetone polisher remover in a well-ventilated area.
step 2: trim & shape
using clippers, or a medium grit nail file, begin to trim and shape your nails: oval, "squoval" or square, what's your fancy?
keep your file strokes going in one direction. filing back and forth can break down your nails and actually do more damage than good.
step 3: soak & hydrate
manicures aren't only about your nails...your hands get to get in on the action too! moisturize your hands prior to applying polish.
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step 4: all about that base (coat!)
with a clean, dry nail bed waiting, go for a base coat that makes sense. nails a little "ridge-y?" try côte's smoothing base. is weak and brittle more your issue? then côte's strengthening base & top (with it's vitamin B5 and coffee extract) is more your speed.
step 5: color me
with over 100 gorgeous and toxin free colors to choose from, there's a shade for everyone and every mood. apply two coats, trying to keep each coat thin and even.
with a medium amount of polish on the brush, start with one stroke down the center of the nail, then follow with a swipe to each side to spread out the color coverage.
step 6: top it off
once your color has set and dried, it's time to pull it all together. shiny? matte? whatever your mood, we've got you covered!
for those on the run, use our quick dry top. it significantly cuts down dry time and leaves you with a super shiny, long-lasting and tough-as-nails finish. a côte tech fav!
nail health: 101
the days of fake acrylics are long behind us and our nails couldn't be happier. but years of coating & covering with chemicals have left our nails tired, cracked, thin, and sometimes yellow. by embracing our natural nail, we allow it to breath so it can begin repairing the years of anguish we've put them through. 
there are a number of things that can cause our once beautiful, natural nails to turn a yellow hue. often times discoloration is due to the overuse of toxin laden polishes, gels and fake nails. thankfully we are more aware of these harmful effects and now have methods to turn back to the clock by strengthening, repairing, and nourishing our nails with toxin-free products!
strengthen
get the most from your manicure with our strengthening base and top. it’s a great way to strengthen your nails and prevent splitting, peeling, and thinning. It also adds shine, keeping your color looking fresh longer!
if you’re on the go, grab our travel size option which fits perfectly in any sized clutch and is carry-on safe for quick spot treatments.
strengthening base + top $21, traveler size $8
repair
a great way to keep your cuticles supple and skin and hair radiant is our organic argan oil! this multi-functional oil is your secret weapon for combatting not only dry skin (cracked heels) and wrinkles, but for keeping cuticles soft and hair shiny as well!
to use on nails, simply apply 1 drop to each nail and gently massage in the cuticle area, but don't stop there! add some argan oil into your lotion, shampoo or conditioner for a special hydrating boost, or simply apply directly to your skin or scalp.
argan oil $28
Nourish
nail health does not stop at topical solutions - internal health is equally important to maintaining beautiful nails. a nutritious diet is a key factor to healthy nails!head out to your local farmers market and load up on the green goods with our aplat tote now available. a beautiful grocery tote is a great way to remind yourself that you're invested in your health as well as supporting a sustainable lifestyle with a reusable, multifunctional bag.