The Nail polish Files #2: How Does Crackle Nail Polish Work?

Crackle Nail Polish is all the Rage

China Glaze has one — appropriately named, Crackle.  OPI has one — also appropriately named, Shatter.

Have you ever wondered how they work?

Crackle nail polishes work the way a traditional nail polish isn’t supposed to.  A traditional nail polish is supposed to dry slowly and uniformly across the nail in a smooth, even application.  Crackle nail polishes have added a special solvent called ethanol alcohol that allows the polish to dry quickly and unevenly.

Crackles have actually been around for decades

If’ you’ve ever done a home improvement project involving paint, you’ve probably noticed that crackle paint is always an option. It’s what makes furniture look distressed and shabby chic.  The nail polish companies have applied this basic formula and bottled it in a nail polish.

A little alcohol was all it took

Although some of you live by this mantra, the nail polish companies are just now catching on.  By adding a little alcohol to the formula they’ve created a cracking, splitting, mess that allows the base coat to shine through. What could have been a nail polish nightmare turned into a trendy phenomenon! Genius!

The nail polish files #1: current trends

Nail Polish Trend: Crackle Nail Polish

The nail polish is particularly wonderful when applied to two contrasting colors.  All you have to do is lay down a coat of your favorite color, then apply a crackle nail polish over it.  The crackle will crack and split as it dries leaving behind an urban look. The best crackle polishes are made by OPI and China Glaze, which can both be purchased on Amazon.com.

Nail Polish Trend: Matte Nail Polish

Matte nail polishes have been around for a while.  Some would even say that it spurred the nail polish trend movement. Matte nail polish is cool because it is the exact opposite of the glossy nail.

Nail Polish Trend: Rubber Nail Polish

I love the rubber look, and this trend is most likely here to stay for a while. Like matte nail polish, rubber nail polish has a controlled look to it.  The rubber nail polish trend is amazing!  The nail polish dries to a satin finish with just the right about of sheen.  I LOVE it! The Orly Plastix collection can be bought on Amazon too.

Nail Polish Trend: Suede Nail Polish

This new Jason Wu collection by CND Cosmetics contains silk fragments that give the nail polish a fabric-like texture. I love the ingenuity of the idea, but I'm still not sure whether I'd actually like my nails to feel like fabric...there's a reason why they're not fabric in the first place.  There’s really nothing else out there like it.  This one is a little hard to find, because CND is made for professional manicurists.  Ask your local nail salon if the have it.