I use shatter and crackle nail polish to change things up from my usual colors and glitter. It gives me nail art without any artistic ability! I love expressing myself with manicures (you can check out my weekly creations on Instagram! )
Instructions for shatter and crackle nail polish
- File your nails, remove polish, and clean your hands. My tip: I use a glass file to file my nails while still polished. After shaping, lightly file the tip of the nail at a 45-degree angle from the top to thin out the nail tip.
- Use a basecoat. After painting each nail, go back and paint the back side of any fingertip that shows above your finger. My favorites are Nail Tek II, CND Stickey, and Nubar.
- Choose a base color that is a high contrast to your shatter and crackle nail polish. My favorites are a neon yellow with teal shatter or soft green with dark green shatter. Paint your nails with two coats of the base color. Allow to dry completely, up to 10 minutes.
- Now it is time to apply the shatter coat. This happens quickly, so I was unsuccessful in getting a photo for you. The shatter polish has a thick consistency, almost like liquid plastic. I use a fairly thick single coat, making three strokes from cuticle to tip. You should immediately see the polish making a crackle design.
- This manicure needs a coat of topcoat to protect your work. I like Poshe or Seche Vite. If the finish still feels bumpy, I add a second coat (otherwise I’ll pick at the bumps!). I find that the manicure lasts most of the week this way. When you are ready to remove, just use your normal nail polish remover.
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Check out online or your local Ulta or other beauty store for shatter and crackle nail polish. I use OPI and China Glaze, but Sally Hansen and other brands make shatter and crackle nail polish.
Some things I’ve heard: Serena Williams, the fantastic tennis athlete, is a nail tech. She invented the shatter technique. The special polish has something in it, possibly ethanol, that evaporates quickly, leaving the polish behind to shrink and give the crackle effect.
Resource links
- http://www.thepolishaholic.com
- The PolishAholic
- http://www.alllacqueredup.com
- All Lacquered Up
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What are your thoughts?