Summer Neon Crackle

I hate Black Shatter. I keep trying it, and keep hating it. I think a big part of it is because it's summer (spring), and when I think polish for summer/spring, I definitely don't think black. Overall, though, I'm not a huge fan of the crackle trend. I haven't been tempted to buy the new OPI crackles... the Sally Hansen crackles... the Pure Ice crackles... you get the idea. (Though I may grab some of those new metallic China Glaze crackles when they come out).

In an attempt to jump on the crackle trend, I finally found a combination I'm satisfied with.













1 coat of an unknown super old neon pink Orly
1 coat China Glaze Lightning Bolt

I've been DYING to do this for months. Literally months. I had it in my head and just knew I'd love it.

But where's my pinkie you ask?


Busy being injured. Super bad break after slamming my finger into a door (not in a door, into a door). I don't even know what to do about it.
More about it later, but if you're curious and might have some suggestions on what to do in the meantime *cough*Loodie*cough*, please let me know!! (I'm thinking silk wrap but I don't know if the glue would be a bad idea because it broke to the skin).


Keep in mind there's strengthener on my nail that started to peel up near the break, too, so it looks kinda odd. I'm afraid to remove it because I think the remover might sting.

Please Don't Use This Product !! :(

I just have to warn you guys. I'm so, so sad about what happened to my nail, I don't want it to happen to yours. Two weeks ago, I posted about my broken left thumb nail. All was going well with my silk wrap until another traumatic thing happened. On my 16.5 hour work day, I FINALLY punch out, reach into my pocket to pull out my phone, and my thumb nail gets jammed and the silk wrap breaks.

Side note... Seriously?! Right after I punch out?? It lasted an entire freakin' shift carrying gear, carrying patients, opening doors, typing my reports, etc. but my dumb nail finally has to break AFTER I punch out and when I try to get my phone out of my pocket. Ridiculous.

Anyway, I've had this happen before. I just soak off the wrap and put on a new one. No harm done. Well, I had recently purchased Sally Hansen Insta-Fix Nail Repair Kit because it was 75% off at CVS.


It was rated pretty well on MUA (it was 4.6/5 and 100% would buy again before I added my rating and review) so I figured instead of putting on another silk wrap, I'd just use this.

It went on a THOUSAND times more easily than a silk wrap. I just painted glue over the break (I took off the silk wrap and started fresh), then sprinkled the acrylic powder over it. It dried quickly and I was able to buff it to a smooth finish. I thought I had found the greatest nail repair product ever!!

But then...

It became SO dry and brittle despite my frequent moisturizing. Finally, it cracked. And when a silk wrap cracks, it usually doesn't continue the crack in the nail. Oh my goodness did this Insta-Fix continue the nail break. Parts of the glue/acrylic started to crumble off and it looks awful. I got home and soaked and soaked and soaked the repair in acetone. I used the foil method and everything. It wouldn't budge AT ALL. My poor cuticles took such a beating being wrapped in acetone and tin foil for so long :( I tried my best to gently break off more of the repair, but it seemed like it penetrated into my nail. When it finally started to loosen, I was able to get it off... and it SHREDDED my nail and took a whole chunk of it with it. SHREDDED it. Like paper thin and shredded. No clean, angular break. It was like when you go to bite a piece of celery and it leaves all of those strings and jagged pieces. I wish I had taken a photo of it, but I was just so livid that I didn't think about it then. I just wanted to fix my poor nail :(

Wanna see the damage...


:( Needless to say, I'm not thrilled. I couldn't even get the rest of the repair off. I kept trying to soak it and it wouldn't work. And I'm too terrified to try to pry it off. It DESTROYED the part that came off, I'm not taking chances right now until I figure out some other way to get it off.

My girlfriends wedding is Saturday, and I really wanted my nails to look great. So it looks like I'll be using a press on nail for occasions like that until the nail grows out. No way am I cutting down the rest of my nails that short. No freakin' way. I can't even get my thumb nail even because the break was so low that I'd have to file my skin. Gross, and not gonna happen.

So ultimately, do not get near this stupid product, and definitely don't let it touch your nail. It's not worth it.

Does anyone have any idea how I can get the rest of the acrylic repair off? When I put on the press on nail, I'm going to need an even surface, so I have to get it off by Saturday. Help??

Broken Nail :(

This is NOT a fun post :(

I was doing laundry and the washing machine lid came down and I tried to grab it so it didn't slam, but instead it caught my thumb nail and caused a really low break. It started not too bad, but of course then it went into a full split. So this morning, as I'm typing this, I'm repairing it with a silk wrap. It is WAY WAY too low to cut my nail down. Wanna see the horror?

When it initially happened:


Halfway through my silk wrapping process:


Ugh this stinks!! Beneficially, I never use my thumb in swatch or nail photos, so this shouldn't affect the blog at all. I'm still bummed, though.