How to Paint Your Nails With Shatter Polish

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 3, 2021

Shatter nail polish gives your painted nails an interesting cracked texture, because shatter nail polish is a special coat that goes on top of normal nail polish. There are countless color combinations you can achieve with this look. By preparing your nails and applying the polish, you can paint your nails with shatter polish easily at home.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Your Nails

Wet a cotton ball with nail polish remover and remove any traces of polish from your fingernails. Be sure to work the cotton ball into the cuticle of the nail to get stubborn polish out of any creases where the nail meets the skin.
Use a cuticle pusher to gently press the edges of your cuticles back, working from one side of each nail to the other. This lifts any dead skin that lays flat against the nail. Do this to all ten fingers.^{[1]
X
Research source}
Use a nail file to shape your nails into a square or oval shape as you prefer. Use the coarse side of the board to even out nail length first. Then, using the finer, less coarse side of the board, rub the nail from one side to the other to create the shape you want.^{[2]
X
Research source}
Use a nail buffer or the finer gritted side of the nail file to rub the top of each nail gently. This creates an etched surface that will help your polish adhere more fully, extending the life of your shatter manicure.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Applying Polish

1
Apply a base coat. Apply an even layer of base coat to all your nails using the polish’s built-in brush. Let this dry completely. This will create a good base for your shatter manicure.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- A base coat protects your nails from staining that can occur when you apply color to the nail directly.
2
Apply the base nail polish color. Select the polish color you’d like to be the cracks of your shatter manicure. Apply the polish evenly by painting a stripe down the middle of your nail then filling in the gaps on either side. Do this on each nail, and let all your nails dry completely. Apply a second coat for more opacity as desired.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Since shatter polish creates such a busy effect, stick with a smooth, non-glittery solid color for your first experiment with this kind of polish. This will highlight the crackle effect as much as possible.
3
Paint a thin layer of shatter polish on top. The thinner the coat, the more crackled the effect will be. If the coat is thicker, there will be fewer cracks and the effect will be less obvious. Work quickly and avoid painting over areas you’ve already painted. Let the polish dry completely.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- You can purchase shatter polish at your local beauty store or online.
- The polish will create its signature shatter as it dries.
Use a clear topcoat to seal your newly painted nails and protect them from chipping. This will extend the life of your manicure. Let the topcoat dry completely.^{[7]
X
Research source}
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Where do I buy Adelaide cracked polish?

Cats:)

Community Answer

Either Barry M or Collection 2000 sells them. Those brands can be found in Boots and suerdrug or anywhere that sells make up. They're cruelty free.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

It is important to use nail polish remover?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

You do have to remove your previous polish before repainting your nails because it looks better and it'll last longer.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Experiment with different effects once you’re comfortable working with shatter polish. You could try a French manicure with shatter on the tips, a shatter accent nail or shatter over a patterned base.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Some users report that nonmetallic shatter polishes seem to be longer lasting than metallic ones. Try different polishes to find the one that suits you best.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Make sure to close your bottles of shatter polish tightly when you’re not using them. Shatter polishes dry quickly by design, and a whole bottle can dry out quickly.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0