Craquelure nail polish: its features, application steps and tips for use

The word "craquelure" came to us from painting and means "crack". These are small cracks that appear in paintings and other art objects over time.

Has become very popular today vintage style, so the decorators came up with a technology to age everything. This is achieved using craquelure varnish.

Craquelure nail polish - a new trend in nail art

Special craquelure nail polish was presented at the international exhibition professional cosmetics Intercharm in 2011, held in Moscow. The innovation created a sensation.

Craquelure nail polish is also called graffiti and python polish because it helps create the effect of reptile skin (snake or crocodile). The original collection of this polish consisted of eight colors, but already in the summer months we saw a new super popular collection. craquelure varnishes, which already contained 17 shades. The convenience was new collection came out in mini-bottles, so fashionistas can easily take all the colors of varnish on a trip.

Features of craquelure nail polish

Craquelure varnish has interesting feature- it glows under UV light. Specialists select the colors of the varnish depending on the desired result. If you want to get the effect of antique gzhel, blue-blue and white are used to get the effect of antique porcelain - a shade of baked milk or white. In the case of using craquelure nail polish in tandem with ordinary, you will be able to create the effect of kid skin.

Where to buy craquelure nail polish

Craquelure varnishes are produced by various leading companies, for example, Crackle, China Glase, OPI, XD and others. Where to buy craquelure nail polish? You can buy cracking varnish in the cosmetic departments of supermarkets and in specialized stores. You can also purchase craquelure nail polish through numerous online stores, whose managers will advise you on all matters of choosing the right product.

How to use craquelure nail polish

Do trendy manicure in vintage style, you can do it yourself. You will need: colored varnish, base for varnish and craquelure varnish. The technique of its application consists of three stages.

First, cover the nail plate with base varnish. Then we cover the nails with varnish, which will be visible through the cracks. After the color layer has dried, craquelure varnish should be applied. It is necessary to act carefully and slowly, since if the base does not dry out, the effect may not work. Craquelure varnish is applied in a thin layer.

To get the effect of deep cracks, you should select contrasting colors, for example, black and white, orange and purple, blue and yellow. Otherwise, the texture effect will not work and the manicure will be more natural. If you use the stretching technique with several python polishes, you will get an original pattern on each nail. Drying, the craquelure varnish gradually becomes covered with cracks, which form the patterns.

Tips for using craquelure nail polish

• Dry the layer of colored varnish thoroughly, otherwise the craquelure layer will be bumpy.
• Shake the craquelure varnish itself for a long time and thoroughly before use. This type of varnish is quite liquid, and many solid components often settle to the bottom.
• The varnish itself dries instantly after application, so it is applied in one thick stroke, unlike simple varnishes. Otherwise, the cracks may turn out to be too regular and boring.
• Varnishes from different companies have a unique pattern, and cracks are either small or large.
• If you apply a universal transparent coating on the resulting pattern, then you will get extra shine on the nails, and the manicure will last longer.

For a long time, the world has been dominated by vintage style - a fashionable echo from the past. At first, the old design was present only in interior items and clothing. But today, stylists have transferred craquelure even to manicure. At first, the creation of vintage nail art required a certain skill and skill, since the cracking effect was drawn with a thin brush for nail design. Later, when special cracking nail polish was invented, unusual manicure became more accessible.

The spectacular craquelure nail design is in many ways reminiscent of the color of a majestic python, therefore, most likely, lovers of snake skin will like it. To create nail art, you need to master some of the intricacies of applying craquelure and get cracking varnish. So that you better master the technology of applying this coating and learn for yourself interesting ideas for design, the article is supplemented with colorful photos and video tutorials.

Manicure technique

A manicure with a craquelure effect will not require excessive financial investments from you. To create an original design you will need:

• base coat;
• colored varnish;
• craquelure nail polish;
• top cover.

Before buying a cracking varnish, consider the future design. What composition of flowers do you want to see on your nails? If you like a contrasting combination of tones, choose opposite shades. For example, a combination of purple and orange flowers will make your manicure expressive, and the “cracks” will visually turn out to be deeper. The composition of shades close to each other will create a natural transition, and the craquelure effect will be lighter and more elegant.

Before you start creating unusual design be sure to give your nails a well-groomed look. Take half an hour of your time for a hygienic manicure. File the tips of the nails with a nail file and trim the cuticles in a trimmed or European way.

If you want to enjoy relaxation, try out the unique techniques of Brazilian or Japanese manicure. Is your skin cracked or inflamed? We recommend that you use the tips outlined in the article on hot manicure, which gives an amazing effect. Now that your nails are ready, you can start creating the design.

Try to apply the same amount of varnish on each nail, otherwise the tone of the coating will be different. Subject to all the recommendations, the craquelure manicure will last from 3 to 6 days, depending on the quality of the varnishes and the characteristics of your nail bed.

Bright ideas and stylish designs

To make a bright and noticeable craquelure on the nails, it is not at all necessary to puzzle over it. We are happy to share with you a collection of photos from unusual ideas for vintage manicure. To begin with, we want to present you a nail design in a composition of complementary shades. Chic and discreet nail art looks very rich and elegant. You can easily create the effect of crocodile or python skin on your nails. In the photo you see a manicure that will make you a real queen.

If you're into a more eye-catching nail design, don't be afraid to experiment with color. A bright contrast in a manicure is perfect for both summer days and a noisy party. Apply cracking varnish not only along the growth of nails, but also perpendicularly or diagonally.

Having mastered the technology, try to combine several colors of craquelure, creating an effect gradient manicure. In addition, you can decorate each finger in different style. If you are an extraordinary person, then you will surely like bright ideas shown in the photo.

Do you like the craquelure effect on your nails? Then go ahead and tune in to a great result. After all, as you understand, the technology of applying vintage coating is quite simple and understandable. To dispel your doubts about your own abilities, in conclusion, we suggest you watch an informative video lesson, the author of which will share his own experience in creating a unique and picturesque manicure.

All fashionistas know that France is the very center of the birth of world trends. So it was from there that a new fashion for nail design came to us - craquelure. What's with the strange word? However, there is nothing strange in it, it is French and translates as “crack”. In manicure, this type of design is the effect of cracked varnish. Looking at such nails, you might think that it is complex and professional equipment nail art. But the French do not like complexity and simply created a special cracking nail polish. Now any girl can plunge into real Parisian fashion by mastering the very simple steps of applying craquelure. Here you can see photos, videos with instructions and color ideas how to apply craquelure.

What you need to know about craquelure?

The craquelure design is made using two colors of varnish. These varnishes differ in their composition from the usual ones, although outwardly they are exactly the same, they just have the mark "craquelure". To get a cracking effect, you must purchase at least two bottles.

But perhaps the most important point in such a manicure is the choice of shades. One color will be the base and the second should be applied on top and create a cracked look. Exactly good combination tones will make this design special.

Photo varnishes "craquelure":

How to make a craquelure design?

First, prepare your nails for applying varnish. It is recommended to do a manicure so that the hands look well-groomed and the design looks more neat. Nails should be trimmed so that the length is the same on all fingers. You can visit the salon and get a manicure there, or you can carry out the procedure yourself. French not edged manicure will be the best way tidy up your hands at home.

A non-edged manicure is done like this:

• Prepare a small container for water, an orange stick, nail oil or cream, cuticle remover, a napkin;
• Apply a cuticle remover to all fingers and dip your hands in a warm bath for 10 minutes;
• Then wipe your hands and remove the softened cuticle with an orange stick;
• Apply oil or cream to nails and skin around. Not trimmed manicure is ready.

Video how to do a non-edged manicure at home:

When the manicure is finished, you can start applying craquelure varnish.

Instructions on how to paint craquelure:

• Prepare cracking nail polish in two colors;
• Degrease the nail plate with alcohol or nail polish remover:
• Apply the base, main color in two layers;
• Wait until the varnish dries a little;
• With the second color, apply the top coat very quickly and blow on each finger (at this point you will see how the top coat cracks, forming interesting patterns). It is no longer necessary to apply the second layer here;
• Let the manicure dry a little, apply a top coat colorless varnish or drying. The craquelure design is ready.

Watch a video on how to paint craquelure correctly:

Note: The denser you apply the top, cracking layer of craquelure, the larger the cracks will be. A thin light layer of varnish makes the craquelure smaller and the cracks thin.

The photo shows thin and larger cracks:

Secrets of craquelure

One of the main secrets of craquelure is the combination of base and top layers. It is from the correctly selected shades that the effect of cracks will depend. The design is more beautiful if the main layer is dark, and the top is cracked, light. White color craquelure will suit almost any base layer. A beautiful effect is also obtained if the main layer is mother-of-pearl and the craquelure is matte.

Today, there are a great many options for what kind of manicure you can decorate your nails with. But the trouble is that new ideas have ceased to appear, and continue to please yourself original manicure I want to. And it is not necessary to create something luxurious, sometimes you want simplicity and unusual sophistication. If you are trying to create such a masterpiece at home, then use craquelure varnish. He will do an excellent job of this.

Before craquelure lacquer appeared in the art of manicure, painters and interior designers actively used it. Craquelure lacquer, python lacquer, cracked lacquer - the same tool has many names. If the word "craquelure" is literally translated from French, then the word "crack" will turn out. This effect is often used by artists to give their paintings a shabby, antique look, as well as interior and furniture designers.

There are some features in the use of such varnish. It gives us the opportunity to create the effect of a cracked manicure. To simulate a variety of surfaces, you need to choose the right color scheme. To create a manicure in the style of craquelure, we take at least 2 varnishes of various colors. We use the first one as a base, it will be visible through cracks, the second - craquelure varnish. Colors should be in harmony with each other.

Lacquer craquelure: step by step instructions

1. Now we cover the nails basic foundation under varnish. Its function is to protect the nail plate from negative impact varnishes. It also prevents delamination and overdrying of nails. Of course for beautiful manicure it is not necessary to apply it. This is only necessary for the health of your nails.
2. First, degrease the surface of the nails with nail polish remover.
3. We give the base to dry thoroughly, after which we apply a varnish-substrate on the nails, the color of which you have chosen in advance. It is he who will be visible in the cracks.
4. Let the varnish dry and apply craquelure varnish. Again, we are waiting for it to dry completely.
5. The last step in creating our manicure is applying clear varnish. It is needed as a fixer. This will keep the manicure in perfect condition for a long time.
6. Additionally, in the craquelure technique, the finishing layer is necessary to create neat and beautiful cracks. Otherwise, the effect of a sloppy and peeling manicure may turn out.

50 photos of craquelure varnish

An original catchy and interesting manicure is the dream of many girls. However, not all of them have sufficient finances to visit a manicure service master on a weekly basis to complete such a design. Therefore, manufacturers of manicure coatings are releasing more and more new lines of products that help create an interesting and unusual manicure in a matter of minutes. It is this tool that can be called varnish - craquelure. In this article, we will look at how craquelure looks and holds on nails, post photos and videos of the results of applying such a coating.

Types of coverage

To begin with, a few words about what craquelure is and why nail polish got its name. Craquelure is called cracking of the coating on various works of art, for example, paintings, as well as antique furniture, caskets, etc. This is usually how the lacquer or paint coating cracks. Thus, the craquelure varnish cracks on the nails as it dries, thereby creating a unique and inimitable pattern.

There are two types of craquelure varnishes. The first of them creates the smallest cracks, between which the base on which it is applied is not visible. The second one creates large cracks and gaps between the areas of the varnish, in which the background coating is visible, usually in a contrasting color to the craquelure. These types are called:

1. Thread spider - craquelure;
2. Cracks or fence craquelures.

Nail technicians, using craquelure effect nail polish, as in the photo, can get the effect of crocodile skin or python skin. It depends on the type of craquelure coating, the choice of colors and additional decoration and pattern additions. This is one of the simplest and quick ways get this print.

Creation of craquelure

The process of using (applying) this varnish is very simple and almost does not differ from a simple coloring of the nail in one tone. Prepare before applying nail plates. File the free edge, remove the cuticle, polish and degrease them. After that, you can proceed directly to the process of creating a design.

After that, we can assume that the craquelure manicure, as in the photo, is ready. If desired, before applying the finishing layer of the fixative, you can decorate or complement the pattern. This can be done using drawings with a thin brush or applying rhinestones. Some masters manage to combine craquelure with stamping, but this is quite difficult in the absence of sufficient practice.

Subtleties of manicure

As can be seen from the reviews on the Internet, cracking nail polish does not always give the same decorative effect as in the photo. This can happen for several reasons. First of all, this, of course, is a poor-quality varnish. But if the materials are chosen correctly, then the problem is most likely a violation of the application technology. Below are a few tips for a flawless result.

A manicure with a craquelure effect should definitely be fixed with a top. Matt lacquer- the effect is usually not very stable, this is due to the peculiarities of its composition, which provide cracking. Therefore, for maximum durability of such a manicure, it is better to apply a fixer.

Design Ideas

By using one or the other color combinations background and craquelure, you can get interesting and original designs. Complementing them with drawings, rhinestones, stickers, sparkles and other decor, you can create a completely unique design every time.

Highly delicate design craquelure nails, as in the photo, gives a combination of a beige base with a white varnish effect. Most of all, this design resembles lace. If the base is pink and the craquelure is white or vice versa, then the effect will be similar to old porcelain. The use of a blue background with white craquelure is very similar to Gzhel.

Nuance combinations look more elegant than contrasting ones that look bold. Thus, you can choose such color pairs as blue and cyan, purple and lilac, scarlet and burgundy, etc. Some masters claim that any craquelure is revealed most advantageously on a matte background.

The effect of craquelure on the nails can be more festive than the one shown in the photo. To do this, you need to combine textures and effects of coatings. So, for example, shiny craquelure looks good on a mother-of-pearl background. It can be considered one of the most interesting options for a party.

Common mistakes in such a manicure can be called a combination of two bright and flashy colors. They will argue with each other, especially if these shades are of equal saturation. Such a manicure will look somewhat tasteless and clumsy. Also, cracked nail polish will not look as decorative as it does in the photo if you choose shades of marsh green, khaki, or earthy colors. They are not suitable for both the background and the effect.