I put on my first coat of CID, and then let it dry for a bit. I then added bits of the polish to some of the bald spots, and let it dry until it was still pliable but not tacky. I then used a light press of the finger on top of the mani to try to flatten all of the shard pieces because this polish, if not carefully applied, can get REALLY bumpy.
Obviously I topped with SV - two coats this time. Unfortunately when I woke up to take my pictures this morning, I discovered that the SV had caused some shrinkage! This can happen when your Seche gets too thick - it shrinks up as it dries and pulls the polish back from the tip of your nail. You can solve it by adding nail polish thinner to it, but unfortunately for this mani it was too late. I added a bit more First Mate to the tips to cover it, but you can still see the shrink ridges.
This was a surprisingly labor intensive mani for how simple it looks! I like the manicure, especially the contrast of the CID with the navy polish, but am very bummed about the shrinkage. Also, I'm thinking its time to trim up my nails. They are getting a bit longer than I like to keep them and my typing is starting to suffer! :)
This polish reminds me of OPI's I Lily Love You which was a PITA to apply too. It looks lovely though!
ReplyDeleteI have that China Glaze First Mate-such a pretty blue-I thought it was my CND Super Shiney that was causing the shrinkage-maybe its the first layer of Seche-and it's brand new! I'll add some restore and see if that helps!
ReplyDeleteSuper beautiful effect though!!! I hate when I get shrinkage too! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty! That stinks that is was such a pain to apply!
ReplyDeleteBTW as I read you title I totally sang "Ice, Ice, Baby" and did the little dance! Just had to share hehehe!
ReplyDeleteWowwy!! This is flipping gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPER BEAUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! http://beijofosco.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteOh this is grogeous! I *need* covered in diamonds!
ReplyDeleteHOLY CRAP! This is SERIOUSLY gorgeous!! I need to get CID asap!!! I don't have any flakies in my collection... & I am slightly ashamed of that lol :X
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing polish! It looks like crystals!
ReplyDeleteI gave you an award! Here´s more info: http://redhairandblacknailpolish.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-lovely-blog-award.html
This is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWOW this looks stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteReally pretty! I wanna try that out! ^_~
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I just love manicures like this!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous of flakie polish manicures. I have yet to own a flakie polish and it is KILLING me. My first flakie may be unicorn puke, lol. This is gorgeous. I want it!
ReplyDeleteFWIW I just read on another blog that SV can be a problem with newer polishes because it has toluene in it. A lot of people use a regular top coat before SV to avoid the problems.
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I read-I have no personal experience with it.
I don't care how it goes on! It's amazing!
ReplyDelete