China Glaze Crackle Glaze: Part 1

China Glaze Crackle Collection ($6.49 for 0.50 fl. oz.) consists of six shades, and I wanted to break it into two parts because of how many photos the collection ended up being. Crackle nail polish is just that, polish that cracks. It’s a layering polish, so it is something you apply after you have applied your base color/coat. All the shades dry to a matte finish, so if you want a shiny finish, just use a shiny top coat (I used Seche Vite for swatches).

• Black Mesh is a matte, deep black. This was the easiest shade to work with out of the six, and it cracks really well. The formula was thin but very pigmented.
• Cracked Concrete is a matte, medium-dark gray. It’s definitely the color of freshly poured concrete. The formula was thin but pigmented and cracked well without having to trial it.
• Lightning Bolt is a matte, bright white. I recommend using a medium-thick coat of this if you want it to look more opaque, as thinner coats, while they will show more splintering, also show a lot of the base coming through, so it has a streaky look to it. I used a a fairly thick coat for swatches, and while it splintered, it didn’t do as much as I’d like.

Half of the fun of these Crackles is finding good base colors to layer underneath one of the Crackle Glazes. I can’t compare the formula to any other brands, past or present, as I really don’t have any experience with them. I vaguely remember CoverGirl Crackles, but I don’t think I owned any (I wasn’t allowed to wear nail polish until I was in my late teens). I like these, and they were easy enough to work with–hey, the look itself is edgy and a little messy, so minor mistakes are easily forgiven. Lightning Bolt might take one or two attempts, but I think I just went too thick.

Tips

• Do 2 coats maximum of your base color and let it dry completely.
• Apply the Crackle Glaze in one coat and as quickly as possible as it dries down very fast!
• Use a thicker coat of Crackle Glaze for more opaque color or thicker cracks (but less of them).
• Use a thinner coat of Crackle Glaze if you want a very crackled, piece-y look.

P.S. — I’ll be posting a video later today showing the polish as it crackles, because I found it pretty cool.

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• Product: 27/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: If you dig the effect, definitely worth picking up a couple of shades.  I think Black Mesh performed the best out of the six, followed by Cracked Concrete.

where to buy: Sally’s

See more photos & swatches!

China Glaze Crackle Glaze: Black Mesh, Cracked Concrete, Lightning Bolt

China Glaze Crackle Glaze: Black Mesh, Cracked Concrete, Lightning Bolt

China Glaze Crackle Glaze: Black Mesh, Cracked Concrete, Lightning Bolt

China Glaze Crackle Glaze

China Glaze Crackle Glaze

China Glaze Black Mesh Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Yellow Fever (No top coat)

China Glaze Black Mesh Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Yellow Fever (No top coat)

China Glaze Black Mesh Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Yellow Fever

China Glaze Black Mesh Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Yellow Fever

China Glaze Black Mesh Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Yellow Fever

China Glaze Black Mesh Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Yellow Fever

China Glaze Cracked Concrete Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Plie

China Glaze Cracked Concrete Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Plie

China Glaze Cracked Concrete Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Plie

China Glaze Cracked Concrete Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Plie

China Glaze Lightning Bolt Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter (No top coat)

China Glaze Lightning Bolt Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter

China Glaze Lightning Bolt Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter

China Glaze Lightning Bolt Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter

China Glaze Lightning Bolt Crackle Glaze over Rescue Beauty Lounge Drifter