Crackle-ing Up!

I'm sure you are all very aware of the recent trend for crackle and shatter top coats.

OPI were the first announce they were bringing back this look with their Black Shatter polish from the Katy Perry and Glam Slam collections. They were pipped to the post by Barry M who quickly produced their own black version. 

I really was not a fan when I first heard rumblings of the look however when I heard China Glaze were doing coloured crackles it piqued my interest. I also saw the Barry M version on a couple of real life friends and thought it actually looked better in reality than on the screen, although I still wasn't sure about the black colour.

The China Glaze Crackle collection has caused a bit of a stir and not wanting to miss out I bit the bullet and purchased two of the coloured crackles this week. I decided on Crushed Candy and Broken Hearted.

Crushed Candy is a Tiffany blue very similar to their most popular polish, For Audrey. I felt this would be the one I would use the most however I'm not sure how many colours I will wear this over. Pink shades are a match made in heaven but other than those I feel it's pretty limited. I thought about using it over First Mate which is a navy.

Broken Hearted has many more options. Pink compliments so many other colours and I have done my first manicure with a bright orange underneath, I used Eaton Square from Nails Inc. This colour combo is tipped to be big in the colour blocking fashion trend hitting the catwalks.

 As for the application, I was nervous. Having never used a polish like this before I cannot compare it to anything else. I found they were a little on the thicker side and dried very quickly, almost on the brush if you don't work quick enough. I like the way they crackle, not to chunky and I don't mind the irregularities of each nail, I thought this would be something I would hate as I like everything to be perfect and the same when I do any nail art. 

I have enjoyed wearing this manicure today, I've had a really casual day, a bit of shopping, coffee with a friend, I have worn a denim dress and felt really relaxed and my nail look has really fitted in. 

Although I feel I have got the colour combo right this time and I love it, I'm sure it will be very easy to get it wrong so experimenting before hand for me is a must!

I'm looking forward to trying different combinations and for new colours to be released. I hope this look isn't fleeting and becomes another acceptable nail style giving those that enjoy this look another stylish option when painting our nails.

I bought the polishes from BeautyChamber.co.uk, they were £8.99.

I know this is a love it or hate it look, what do you think? Have you bought any crackles?

xoxo