If you’ve seen my previous blog post, you’ll know that I fell in lust with Caught With My Khakis Down, a jaw-dropping fatigue green, from the Sephora by OPI Safari Luxe Collection.
After wearing it for a little while, I wanted to turn it into a Crackle Manicure. But all the colorful crackle polishes I had didn’t seem to go with it, and I didn’t feel like using OPI Black Shatter or China Glaze Black Mesh.
Then I remembered a new Bundle Monster Image Plate I have (BM 208), which had just the effect I wanted.
As you can see, this design has thin lines that allow the base color to shine through. I really like how the lines form many quadrilaterals.
It reminds me of a spider web…if the spider was spinning its web while drinking Red Bull and listening to the song Seven by Army of the Pharaohs. (Yes, Wilbur, Charlotte’s kids are all grown up now.)
Crackle Manicure Swatches
All swatches have:
- 1 coat of Orly Bonder Rubberized Basecoat
- 2 coats of Sephora by OPI Caught With My Khakis Down
- 1 coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
- Stamping polish: Konad Special Nail Polish (Black)
- 1 coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
Flash
Flash
Flash
Artificial Light
Flash
See Sephora by OPI Caught With My Khakis Down swatches without the nail art here!
Bundle Monster Image Plate BM-208 Picture
Bundle Monster Image Plate BM-208 Review (Top Crackle Pattern)
As if you couldn’t already tell, I’m a fan of that crackle pattern! Love how the base color doesn’t get overwhelmed by the crackle effect.
The image itself was easy to pick up, however, I wasn’t very careful and smudged a lot of the design (as you can see in the above swatches).
When my nails aren’t blown up under the blogging microscope, the smudges aren’t nearly as noticeable. I don’t mind the mistakes – they’re what make a manicure unique and less like artificial nails.
Key Notes
Nail Stamping Tutorial: Check out my Konad Tutorial for step-by-step written instructions & visual aids to make it easy!
What I Used to Create This Look:
- Bundle Monster BM 208 Image Plate: Got this for free! My ex-boyfriend, Matty, bought it for me! (Retails for $21.99 USD for a set of 25 image plates)
- Konad Special Nail Polish (Black): 11 mL – $6.99 USD
- Konad Stamper (came in a set with a metal scraper): $4.99 USD for set
- Konad Plastic Scraper: $2.50 USD
- Where to Buy Konad & Bundle Monster Supplies: Konad Stamping Nail Art, Trans Design, Head2Toe, WowSoCool, OC Nail Art, Bundle Monster & select mall kiosks
Did you buy the new Bundle Monster image-plate set? Are you tired of the crackle trend or can you not get enough of it? Are there any other Bundle Monster images you’d like me to create nail art with?
Oh I love this!!! I must have this BM plate! =)
Kee recently posted: Remember me and a lot of talking
Hey Kee!
Thanks! And wow, it’s been a while. Nice to see you here again! 🙂 How are you doing? What’s new?
I remember you said before that you were able to find OPI Black Shatter. Have you tried it out yet? If so, did you like it?
It’s nice to be back!! Day off tomorrow so expect an update!!! 🙂
I tried the black shatter and HOW COOL IS IT!?!? I loved it! Which reminds me, I should use it again soon LOL!
I finally got to order my new BM plates and I am SOOO rockin this design!!
Kee recently posted: Remember me and a lot of talking
Woo hoo! You deserve a break – been working so hard. Yes, keep me updated on your nail-polish escapades! Addicts have to rely upon each other in these tough times. Hehe 😛
What color did you choose to layer underneath Black Shatter? The first time I tried it, I used China Glaze Blue Sparrow (blue glitter in a blue jellyish base). There are so many great combinations to try out and not enough fingernails or time!
Did you see the snakeskin pattern on those Bundle Monster plates? I wanted to use it, but for some reason, my stamper couldn’t pick up the image. After a few tries, I got frustrated. I’ll have to try again another time. (Heh…even though I reallllly don’t like snakes, I’d like a snakeskin print on my nails. Go figure.)
Yeah, I got 2 days off in a row, so it’s quite nice! I haven’t bought nail polish in a looooooong time and I’m kinda itching to go look for new ones.
I used Black Shatter over China Glaze Peachy Keen! And you’re right…so many color combos to try out!!
I cannot wait to get my BM plates!! I’m so excited to try them out!
Kee recently posted: Coming back with a bang!
Yeah, it’s tempting, especially because there are so many great collections coming out…and all of these different-colored shatter polishes.
Nice combination with Black Shatter over Peachy Keen – haven’t seen that one before!
wow cute take on the crackle mani 🙂
love4lacquer recently posted: My Stash
Hey love4lacquer!
Glad you liked it! 🙂
I took a look at your blog and looked through your stash list. Saw that you have a bunch of crackle polishes. Any favorites?
I’m curious about the OPI red one because it seems to have a jelly finish. Have you tried it? If so, what did you think of it?
Aaahhh this is so cool! I totally though you cracked the nail polish until I read the title of this post. I totally love this! 😀
Ruthe recently posted: Short Post – MIA
Hey Ruthe!
The Bundle Monster image plate I used has an inverted crackle design, too. Bet it would look great if you want the stamping color to show up more than the base.
It would be neat if nail-polish companies could come up with a clear treatment that can crack any polish. Imagine the possibilities! And then we wouldn’t have to buy all the crackles out there – we could just crack any color we already own. Someone should get on that – it would be huge!
YES! I dig. I’m also loving the crackle manicure look. I’ve been playing with it all week and getting my non-nail-obsessed friends into it as well. *Eviiiiiiil* 😀
I love this spin on it.
Hey CupK8!
Do you have any favorite crackle colors or brands? I’ve only tried OPI Black Shatter and China Glaze Broken Hearted (the pink one) so far.
Hehe…yesss…we will spread our addiction to everyone around us! Haha! Good work, CupK8. We should have some sort of polish reward as an incentive for converting new people to our lacquer cult. 😛
Glad you liked my little twist on the crackle effect. 😀 Am really loving Bundle Monster and Konad image plates!
I only own the OPI Silver Shatter, but I love it. The formula’s a bit gunky at the top when it’s oxidized (go figure), but I LOOOOVE it. I had it over Zoya’s “America” last week and it was probably one of my favorite manicures ever.
Silver and pin-up red sounds like such a fun manicure! A bold statement!
Lucky you! Silver Shatter is a tough one to find in the stores near me. Well, I did see a full display at a salon when I went hunting for it, but they were being ridiculous, marking it up to $14.95 CAD! I refuse to pay that price when I know it should be going for the regular $9.95 CAD.
One of my Twitter followers was kind enough to pick up an extra bottle when she found it! It’s on its way to me, and I can’t wait to try it out and blog about it. 😀
I love this idea! The colors work so well together with the image plate
Hey Varnish Me Up!
🙂 Happy to hear that you like it. It’s really fun to play around with crackle polishes. I wonder how using crackle polishes with image plates would turn out. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a crackle design done with crackle polishes? Hmm…
The base polish is actually greener than these flash pictures show – not as gray. In the other post where I review and swatch Sephora by OPI Caught With My Khakis Down, I had a tough time accurately capturing the color with my camera, but it’s more true to color than in this crackle post.
I see I’m going to have to invest in a Konad stamper.
Hey Davina!
Yes, definitely! You can create all kinds of designs easily on our nails from classy and conservative to funky and over-the-top. 🙂 Such a great investment, I think.
i said this on beautylish you follow me but luv luv luv it so much where do u buy the plates from????
Hey brooke!
You can get the Bundle Monster image plates from BundleMonster.com. They also sell them on Amazon.com. 🙂