While perusing the shelves of my local drugstore, I came across a new nail polish product, Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat. I remember the “crackle” style nail polishes from 10 years ago, but being a young girl at the time, I never had the chance to try them. However, nothing was going to stop me from trying the crackle polish trend this time around.
I’m sometimes wary of trying new products, but I feel that Sally Hansen creates quality products at reasonable prices. Plus, I’ve been using Sally Hansen’s Hard As Nails for years with great results.
Choosing which shade to purchase was probably the most difficult part of the process. The line features eight colors: Ink Splatter, Distressed Denim, Vintage Violet, Cherry Smash, Fuchsia Shock, Antiqued Gold, Fractured Foil, and Snow Blast. I chose Snow Blast because the white shade would have a strong contrast with most nail polishes I already own.
Table of Contents
How To Apply Sally Hansen Crackle Nail Polish
The Application Process:
Sally Hansen provides a video full of tips about application, so after reviewing that and the package instructions, I was ready to begin.
Step 1: Applying a Base Coat
First, I painted a base coat on my nails. Since it’s summer, I went with a bright fuchsia shade on all nails, except for a teal shade on my ring finger nails. I used Sinful Colors Professional nail polish in Dream On and Rise and Shine.
The Sally Hansen tutorial suggests applying two coats and allowing nails to dry completely before applying the Crackle Overcoat, so that’s what I did.
Steps 2 + 3: Crackle Overcoat & Top Coat
After allowing ample time for my base coat layers to dry, I applied a thick layer of the Crackle Overcoat in Snow Blast… and I did not care for the results. The nail polish appeared clumpy and very few “cracks” appeared. I was disappointed but decided to give it another try.
After using nail polish remover to clean most of the polish off, I quickly reapplied the base coats where necessary and allowed my nails to dry once again. Then, I went ahead and applied a much thinner and lighter coat of the Crackle Overcoat.
As the polish dried, many more cracks began to appear, allowing the base coat colors to peek through. I was a million times more pleased with this look:
Cute, right? After allowing the Crackle Overcoat to dry, I applied the Sally Hansen Hard As Nails as a top coat. The top coat added extra shine to my nails and made the contrast between the white and bright colors pop that much more.
Final Advice & Review:
From my experience, I recommend applying a thin layer of the Crackle Overcoat for best results – don’t lay this stuff on thick; it just won’t work if you do. Also, don’t forget to apply a clear top coat. Those two steps combined really make all the difference.
Also Read: DIY Beauty: Matte Nail Polish
Due to its slightly tricky application, I rate the Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat 4 stars out of 5.
The application was a bit difficult since the brush is rather small and the polish comes out thick, but after experimenting, I was pleased with my final look. I may try some other crackle polishes soon for comparison, but I did like the Sally Hansen product overall.
Your Thoughts?
Have you ever tried Sally Hansen Crackle Overcoat? What were your results and do you have any application tips to share? Or have you tried any comparable crackle style nail polishes? I’m already thinking of new color combos to try, like a glittery base coat under the Snow Blast. What would be your favorite Sally Hansen shade combinations? Let me know what you think!
I’ve been using Avon mosaic effects which is basicly the same thing. Have it in white, silver and plum and use them over various contrasting colors. I love the effect and have gotten many positve comments from friends and strangers
Sally Hansen has always been the best in nail colors,but i find that the last few years the brushes are getting to thick.Is it possible for the factory to make the brushes thinner like they used to be..
As for the sally hansen crackle, I have tried the blue, the pink, and the black. The black seems to work much better than either of the others. Although I have later gotten some decent results with pink, the black is definitely the best one. Oh by the way, I use nail polish to paint metal boxes (see website) more than my nails.
I have also found that you don’t really have to wait until the base coat is fully dry for it to work, and the effect you get varies depending on how you apply it. A thin coat will make many finer cracks, a thick coat will make fewer, but bigger cracks. Also if you paint in a single direction the cracks will sort of follow your brush strokes (like how it looks on the cap) whereas if you stab the brush, or sort of swirl it a bit, you’ll get a different, more chaotic network of cracks.
How do you get the Crackle off? It Takes Months.
DO NOT USE THE SALLY HANSEN crackle it does not work well i just wasted my time doing these nails now i have to re do them its ugly.
Great! I love crackle nails!
Kate
I found that the KLEANCOLOR Crack nail polish from a local dollar store works better
I found that if you shake it really good between every other nail it works better
Using a thin black crackle overcoat with the gold base has a look similar to cheetah print. LOVE IT. For my Easter look, I used a bright color on each nail, then used a thin coat of white crackle, and they look kinda like Easter eggs 🙂
I got the Fractured Foil color and painted it over a dull pink (Essie “Lady Like”). I love it! I was so amazed watching the crackle overcoat crack apart to create the pattern. When I use it again I think I’ll use a brighter base color.
Cool
its an ok product i needed 2 known how 2 use it cause first time i screwed up badly
I’ve tried the gold and silver crackle from Sally Hansen and like them pretty well. I think the white in any brand looks like correction fluid, and black crackle isn’t flattering to my older hands.
I found that the only way I can get the top color to show up is if the crackle coat is the darker color. which meant my Idea for christmas crackle was a complete fail. I wanted to do a green base with the red crackle overcoat. other than that, I was impressed, and the black looks great on top of neon colors. for a party I did a neon yellow base, put a glow in the dark clear coat over it, then put the black crackle on top. everyone loved it. the exposed portion of the color glowed brightly under the black light, which also allowed the nails to glow brightly in the dark as well.
O.P.I is so much better!
I have the Sally Hansen Crackle coat in antique gold. The great thing about crackle is that you can get a bunch of different effects. I like to apply my crackle diagonally across my nail. I’ve even applied it side to side and sponged it on my nail, all giving different effects.