SIMPLES Week 5 Updated

There is a reason you shouldn't work ahead of the class. There were very specific rules we needed to follow for week 5, but since I worked ahead I didn't know them. So here is the week 5 mani I did that followed the rules properly. China Glaze "Snow" with "Celtic Sun (Neon)" over it and dotted with LA Girls black dotting polish. It looks greenish in the picture but its actually a neon yellow.

Candy Corn

It's that time of year again! Fall is on the wind and I've started reaching for the more subdued earth tone colors. I really didn't think this mani was anything special, just a 3 color gradient inspired by something my mom said about candy corn (a weakness of mine this time of year). I was actually planning on stamping something over it later, but ran out of time before work so just topcoated it for now till I could decide what more to do to it.  At work, however, I got so many compliments on them that maybe I'll leave them as is for now. They are so simple, but people love them! I was surprised, I mean, it's only a gradient. A base coat of Wet n Wild "French White Creme" with Sally Hansen "Lightening" and L.A. Girls no name orange. I really like this no name orange, but its a tiny bottle and I've used a lot of it. I think it will be time to replace it soon. This time of the year with Halloween coming up it shouldn't be too hard to find a good pumpkin orange.

Nail Polish Lexicon ~ Crackle Polish

OPI "Gold Shatter", Avon Mosaic Effects in Black, Sally Hansen "Distressed Denim" and "Cherry Smash",
L.A. Girls Cracked in White, China Glaze "Haute Metal", "Cracked Medallion" and "Oxidized Aqua".

I love crackle polish. Yeah, I know, the fad is pretty much over, but that doesn't change the fact that I still like it. Last year it was all over the place and each brand was coming out with different colors all the time, but now? You can find it on clearance some places, but I can't think of any brand that carries one in its everyday line. I could be wrong tho. Any way, what is a crackle polish? A Crackle polish is special effect topcoat that when it dries cracks, allowing you to see any color polish you put on before it. Confused? Ok, well here is a close up of a finished nail with crackle on it.

I painted this nail with 2 coats of Orly "Liquid Vinyl" and let it dry. That's important. You have to let it dry or the crackle will mix with the under coat and either not crack right or the base coat will crack with the crackle and you won't see it below. The crackle I used with this nail is OPI "Gold Shatter". There is something about the glittery crackles that I adore, but don't freak out, they go on pretty sheer but as they dry and crack the color gets stronger. The solid colors are good in black and white, but the colored ones you have to be careful about what color you pair with it. Like this one...

This is Mystery Polish "Hot Rod" with Sally Hansen "Cherry Smash" Crackle coat over it. I thought it would make a neat Christmas polish, all green and red, but the dark green made the red look muddy and gross. So from now on I'll only use this red over lighter colors.

One other note on crackles, when they get old they get chunky and thick. I'm not sure how well nail polish thinner works on them or if it affects the crackle, but I don't think it hurts it much. When my white gets a bit thicker I'll give it a shot and let you guys know if it hurts it. Hmm, I didn't start out with the intention of making this a Lexicon post but it kinda turned into one :)