When I read about <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/paint-and-peel" target="_blank">Sula's Paint &amp; Peel Polish</a> over at <a href="http://www.sugarshockbeauty.com/2009/08/quick-change-artist-sula-paint-and-peel.html" target="_blank">SugarShock</a>, I KNEW I had to try it. The concept is simple: safe, water-based nail polish that peels right off—no remover required. Yes, I'm having another "Why Didn't I Think of This First?" beauty moment.

See, the folks at <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/home" target="_blank">Sula</a> are smart. Not a big surprise, actually, since the Toronto-based company is headed up by none other than perfumer <a href="http://www.susannelang.com/" target="_blank">Susanne Lang</a>, whose eponymous mix-and-match scents I count amongst my favourites. (And who I hope, if she's reading this, might consider launching a similarly-minded eco-friendly fragrance sometime soon, since Sula's eau de parfums aren't organic. Please, Susanne?)

But back to nail polish, and why Ms. Lang is SMART. I've been known to (A) be lazy, (B) have an obsession with toxic substances in my beauty products, and (C) neurotically pick at my nail polish until it flakes off, leaving unattractive chips. This stuff satisfies me on all three counts. On first brush, it smells strangely like the white glue kids across Canada are probably spreading over their art projects this week, but no matter. It dries REALLY quickly and to me, seemed much easier to work with than its mainstream nail polish cousins.

It's also free of the "big three" nail polish chemicals—formadelhyde, toluene and phthalates. The fun part, of course, is the peeling. SO satisfying—and how great is it that you're not taking off the upper layer of your nail in the process?

One caveat: it doesn't last a long time, especially if you like to shampoo daily. (I applied it on a Saturday afternoon, and it was half-peeled off when I came out of the shower Sunday morning. I'm guessing the formula doesn't agree with hot water or scrubbing action.) However, keep in mind that I tried it on bare nails, and it's supposed to work better if you layer it on top of their <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/metallic-top-base-coat" target="_blank">base coat</a> and under their <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/permanent-top-coat" target="_blank">top coat</a> (just like normal polish).

Not crazy about the <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/catalog/12/paint_peel_trend_collection" target="_blank">fall colour collection</a>—it features mostly blues and greens, and I'm more of a classic pink girl—but I'm liking the look of <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/modern-mauve" target="_blank">Modern Mauve</a>, <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/crimson-red" target="_blank">Crimson Red</a> and <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/perfect-pink" target="_blank">Perfect Pink</a> (pictured).

<em>$9 each at select boutiques across Canada (see <a href="http://www.sulabeauty.com/content/where-find-sula-products" target="_blank">here</a> for list).</em>