Crackle nail polishes by China Glaze, OPI, and Mia Secret.

Photo: Courtesy China Glaze, OPI, and Mia Secret

Polish is polish is polish. Unless, of course, it crackles. The hottest new trend to hit the lacquer world are these polishes that create a shatter effect when they dry on your tips. The look is raw and gritty, yet amazingly intricate (i.e. if you tell 'em you sat in a salon for hours to get the look, they'll probably believe you!).

How to wear:

For day, coat your nails in a flat/matte polish, then top with one of these crackle polishes; for night, go with a layer of glitter lacquer topped by a shatter effect polish. Done and done.

If you can only try one, try one of these:

+ China Glaze Crackle Glaze in Crushed Candy ($6.49, SallyBeauty.com)

+ Katy Perry Collection Nail Polish by OPI in Black Shatter ($12.75, Amazon.com)

+ Mia Secret Crackle Nail Polish in Rose ($4.10, Amazon.com)