How to Do a Crackle Manicure
When Katy Perry started rocking manicured, crackled nails with an artsy edge, the look quickly became all the rage. You can create the same look at home with a few basic nail polishes. Select a base coat color that compliments the crackle polish and in no time you'll turn plain colored nails into an artistic and fashionable expression. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Paint your nails with two layers of clear nail polish as a base coat. Allow your nails to dry prior to painting the second layer.
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Select a color for your base coat and shake the bottle to ensure the color pigments are well mixed. Paint your nails with two layers of the base coat, allowing your nails to dry between each layer.
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Select a color for the first layer of the shatter and crackle effect. Shake the bottle to ensure it is well mixed. Ensure your nails are completely dry before moving forward as the effect works best when nails are completely dry.
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Dip the brush into the shatter nail polish, ensuring there is more nail polish on the brush than you would typically use. Swipe the brush a single time across only a portion of your nail. Swipe in the direction you want the crackle to go. Allow nails to dry completely.
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Select a second color for the shatter and crackle effect and shake the bottle until the polish is fully mixed. Dip the brush into the shatter polish and swipe it across your nail in the opposite direction of the first layer of crackle polish. Allow nails to dry.
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Apply two layers of a clear top coat to protect your nails.
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Tips & Warnings
Ensure your cuticles are well manicured and moisturized prior to starting the manicure.
You can create the same look with only one layer of crackle nail polish by applying two swipes on top of the base coat and allowing it to crackle before applying a clear coat.
Use a toothpick to clean up any nail polish that ends up on your cuticles.
References
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
