Let me admit this: when I heard Dior is releasing their version of a crackle polish, I just about winced. I have played with a crackle polish or two, but the thick and rubbery texture is something I just can’t get past so I previously didn’t own any. When I saw the promotional image however, I thought: if it does look like this, I wouldn’t mind trying!
The Golden Jungle Crocodile Leather Effect Nails come in a set of two nail polishes: a gold base coat and a khaki crackle. Each contains 10ml (0.33 fl.oz.), which means you get two full-size Dior Vernis in the set.
One thing I did notice immediately with the set is that the brushes are slightly different from the typical wide tapered ones of Dior. They look more like common thin and long ones you see from other brands, but because they aren’t too long and floppy they are still easy to use.
The base is a pale gold. I like the fact that it doesn’t border on yellow, because it is flattering for more skin tones this way. The formula is pretty thin. You can really sheer it out and make a very thin coat, but that wouldn’t give you the ideal result so feel free to do a slightly thicker one that is opaque. It is slightly streaky, which is a typical problem metallic polishes suffer from but that’s OK, because you’re going to go to step two: the crackle.
The crackle is a dark khaki. The consistency with this one is very thin and watery, but I don’t really have a problem with it pooling around my cuticles. The only way to make it “even” is to apply a very thin coat, though again that wouldn’t give you the best result. My advice is still to do a slightly thicker coat, and don’t panic if you think it looks very uneven because it’ll be fine!
Generally speaking the thinner the second coat is, the finer the pattern will be and the more the base color will show through. You can really play with this and find out how you like it best!
Now give it a minute or two. You’ll start seeing crocodile skin forming from the edges until:
Tada!
I painted my index finger with two coats of the base so that you can see. I think it’s fun to leave one like that as well. With two coats it’s even and opaque, so that’s a huge bonus!
You find a little instruction card in the box, but I have basically walked you through the process. The instructions do specify that you don’t wait till the base is completely dry though, so I would suggest you do one hand at a time.
More photos so you can see the effect better:
I love how it doesn’t feel/look thick and uneven on the nails, because that’s precisely why I dislike most crackle polishes. The wear is pretty good as well. I think it shows tip wear slightly more easily than regular Dior Vernis in my experience, but it’s only maybe by a day so it’s not too different.
Bottom line: Well done, Dior! The Golden Jungle Crocodile Leather Effect Nails offer a beautiful pattern that is not yet been seen on the market with a good texture, and the color combination fits really well into their fall collection or the season in general. Even if you’re a crackle skeptic, you should swatch this at the counter!
What do you say, yay or nay? Are you a fan of crackle polishes in general?
Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx
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