Reimagine

what things are made of

Keratin Nails is now Anew Material!

Question

the

status

quo

Nail polish, surprisingly, shares origins with car paint due to its use of similar chemicals, like methyl- and ethyl-methacrylate, which provide a durable, glossy finish. Similarly, many hair dyes are derived from coal tar dyes, originally developed from industrial by-products. Unfortunately, both these products can cause adverse reactions, such as severe headaches, due to their reliance on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and petroleum-based chemicals.

These are the very concerns we aim to address as we reimagine the materials and chemicals used in everyday beauty products. The harmful solvents found in nail products, for example, pose significant health risks, particularly to the 400,000 U.S. nail salon workers—many of whom are immigrant women. Public health studies reveal elevated levels of toxic chemicals, including phthalates and toluene, in salon air, as well as in the blood and urine of workers. NYCOSH reports that 25% of nail technicians experience pregnancy complications, compared to 8% of the general population, and are three times more likely to have babies with birth defects.

This underscores the urgent need for safer, effective alternatives.

Reinvent It

We then take inspiration from nature to create new materials that are more harmonious with our planet and everything that lives within.

Our technology has the potential to replace current petroleum-based formula used in multiple industries like nail polish, latex paints, and hair and textile dyes that contribute to nearly 400 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions globally. By gaining 10% of market share in paint and nail polish industries, our technology has the potential to mitigate 39 million tons of CO2e and capture 6 million tons of CO2e through our feedstock, for a total reduction of 45 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

Meet the Founder

Dr. Jiye Son is a STEM entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Keratin Nails now Anew Material , an innovative company specializing in bio-compatible and sustainable nail polish using peptide technology. Born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Long Island, NY, Jiye initially aimed for a career in pharmacy but found her true calling in chemistry during her undergraduate studies at Stony Brook University. Despite the challenge of retaking organic chemistry, she excelled and earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from The Graduate Center, focusing on peptide nanostructures under the co-supervision of Prof. Maria Contel and Prof. Rein Ulijn.

Her career path included a significant role at The Estee Lauder Companies in the Toxicology and Safety department, and a transformative position as the Associate Director of the Nanoscience Initiative at CUNY ASRC. In this role, she was instrumental in organizing student payroll, managing vendor invoices, and enhancing lab safety protocols. Jiye’s proactive approach and leadership led to the creation of initiatives such as NanoBioNYC and an entrepreneurship course for STEM graduate students.

Jiye’s entrepreneurial journey culminated in the creation of Keratin Nails now Anew Material.

Jiye (Gia) Son, PhD