Colour change nail varnish - does it exist??

[RachaelandAgatha]

When I was (much) younger I had several bottles of nail polish which changed colour in UV light.

I'm trying to get hold of some cheaply for a science lesson (I'm a teacher) does anyone know of a brand on the highstreet? Local branch of Boots didn't have anything I could see.

Yes I remember that and I also had stuff which was blue but changed pink in with heat so the tips of your nails were blue but the base was pink and it sort of blended in beautifully. I loooooveed it so much and had not thought of it for over ten years. Will see if still around. I used to love putting my nails against cups of tea and watching them change colour. Perhaps it was vile but I so liked it.

I work for the company who make the dyes (htey are called photochromics) the nail varnish isn't easy to get in the UK but its available mail order from the states (google Del Sol for nail varnish, jewelry and other assirted photochromic products) I believe there is a problem selling the dyes as cosmetic ingredients in europe but the states consider nail varnish to not be a cosmetic as such)

Middlesex university do some gimicky stuff for schools. photochromic solutions and inks. again it's mail order though but its aimed at schools and I presume it fits in with a ciriculum somewhere.

I could also help you out by donating some photochromic prints and plastic squares if you are interested. (we've rebranded so I have loads of old promo stuff with the wrong name on it)

sorry, my spelling is terrible! It's past my bedtime.....

(please don't correct it with a red pen!)

Wow! lolaismyfavouriteandmybest donating photochromic stuff would be utterly fantastic.

I am familiar with the MUTR products. I was looking for something to use in a lesson when primary school year 6 children come for a taster day at secondary school. We are doing a lesson on colour changes covering bits of biology, chemistry and physics. I suggested using UV and heat sensitive products that change colour for the physics bit.

I also work for the Institute of Physics Stimulating Physics scheme which means I go round 12 schools in Oxfordshire to help them develop their physics teaching and get more students interested taking the subject at A Level. Any useful products or cool experiments I can show the schools would be very gratefully received by me and them.

Can you send them in the post?
Physics (Science Department)
Wood Green School
Woodstock Road
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX28 1DX

and OMG seriously is UV reactive nail polish actually banned by EU legislation! Its the bendy bananas all over again.

Happy to help. I'll try to get them out to you tomorrow. I can send you a big handfull of cards (double business card size) with a photochromic picture on it. (unfortunatly the dye I picked the the pink bits doesn't last long even in indirect sunlight but it is a good demonstration of the limitations of photochromics!)

I'll also send you a set of plastic chips (little squares) which show all our standard
dyes (my 3yo loves these as its like a rainbow!)

we've used them in the past to do an activity with children to test the effectiveness of sun cream. just cover the chips in sun cream. if the sun cream blocks the UV then the chips don't activate.... Not sure how they selected good and bad ones though. I will also ask colleagues who go out to the local schools for ideas.

hadn't hear of the institute of Physics Stimulating Physics scheme. sounds fantastic. I wonder if there is a similar scheme for Chemists. I'd love to encourage children to aspire to be something other than a reality tv star!

did they arrive?

Hi all!

Del Sol colour changing nail polish is now available for purchase in the UK. Please email [email protected] for more info. Thanks x