Oh my, my nails are alive! I couldn’t get on the crackle effect bandwagon, because nothing really struck me as stunning. Black crackle reminds me of biology class and learning about cell division – where’s the fun in that? Mostly Sunny convinced me to go the high-end route with Dior’s Golden Jungle Crocodile Leather Effect nail polish duo, which hit counters for Autumn 2012.
The Duo
Shimmering Gold (left) and Khaki (right)
Gold base coat
Khaki “special effects” top coat
The randomness in which the polish splits, breaks and cracks is mesmerising. Janice applied one coat of the gold atop Essie’s Protein base coat and then swiftly went back in with one coat of the khaki. The instructions tell you to apply the khaki coat within two minutes of applying the gold; the wetness of the gold activates the chemicals within the khaki thus commencing the effect. The transformation was initially subtle, but after a few minutes had passed my right hand reached optimal cracking; revealing golden shimmery joints. My left hand quickly followed suit. Once we were happy with the overall look, Janice painted Seche Vite’s top coat on my nails for a “flawless” finish.
The compliments I received were endless and I genuinely lost track of what people said to me. Although, Casey, my trainer, told me it reminded her of a reversed giraffe 
How did Dior’s polish perform? Well, fantastic! The price tag admittedly was shocking – I paid a steep $52.00 AUS for this nail polish set. But here I sit one week later and my nails still look amazing. If you love something as special as this, then you need to go and treat yo self!
Hey, it’s cheaper than buying The Row’s crocodile backpack!
I think that’s the best crackle effect I’ve ever seen! It doesn’t look so punk/emo/teenager (though I will admit I rushed out and bought the black crackle when OPI released it awhile back). I know it’s supposed to be crocodile print but it also reminds me of a giraffe, I’ve recently been obsessed with giraffes after seeing the new bags at Fossil.
Do you think you’ll give this look a try as well?
These loafers are super cute!
http://www.fossil.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=12052&langId=-1&catalogId=25005&partNumber=FFW4310P
I might! But I’ve been a bit turned off by Dior’s makeup after having disastrous experiences with their mascara & eyeliner (given their price point, they should’ve been mediocre, not awful!). I’ve seen good reviews on these nail polishes though so I may have to give Dior another go.
I didn’t see those loafers in store, they’re are really cute!
This was my first Dior purchase; the rest of the Fall 2012 collection looks pretty, but I’m not falling over myself in order to get it.
Change of subject.. Have you ever tried Armani’s makeup?
I had no idea Fossil sold shoes!
When I lived in Boston Fossil did open up a store on Newbury Street near Urban Outfitters a couple of months before I left which I often visited but I never bought any shoes from them. I love Fossil’s interchangeable leather watches & faces and being able to mix and match them.
I’ve never actually bought any of Armani’s makeup but I did try their Luminous Silk Foundation and it looked amazing, my friends couldn’t believe that I wasn’t wearing concealer and yet it still looked natural. If I hadn’t just bought the Lancome Teint Idole foundation I would’ve picked this up as well. It’s a bit steep at $60, but that doesn’t seem like so much now that I see the prices of makeup here in Australia!
Ok, so I’m gussing you have a decent sized makeup collection
You should write about it sometime!