Do you crackle?

I was probably the only person in the blogosphere that wasn't at all excited about Barry M's black crackle top coat when it first came out, and the subsequent versions by different brands, but I have finally given in and bought my first crackle top coat: Nail Xtras Crackle Top Coat by 17 (Boots's own brand). I still don't like the black top coat, but I thought I'd try out this metallic light gold version and see for myself what the fuss is all about.

To be perfectly honest, I'm still not that keen. I don't know why, when my 6 and 9-year-old daughters think my nails look really cool, I just don't see it. I have now tried it with 3 different nail polishes and have found one combo that I quite like, but I don't think I will be buying it in any other colour. Actually there aren't any other colours of the 17 version, but I believe that Models Own are coming out with their own range pretty soon, and so are some other brands. Back to this one though, formulawise it is a pretty nice nail polish, just the right consistency, applies nicely and cracks very quickly. You will see from the pictures below that the patterns are very fascinating. It costs £3.99 for 10 ml and is available Boots. 

See more pictures and find out which one was my favourite combo after the jump!

Here's another picture of the bottle and next to it is the first nail polish I tried it with: Max Factor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in Diva Pink. 

17 Nail Xtras and Max Factor Max Effect in Diva Pink

17 Nail Xtras and Max Factor Max Effect in Diva Pink

Next I tried it with something bit more glittery which I think looks better. I used Orly Lunar Eclipse nail polish. I liked how the glitter showed through the cracks, and the cool blue colour was quite a good companion for the cool gold top coat.

17 Nail Xtras and Orly Lunar Eclipse

17 Nail Xtras and Orly Lunar Eclipse

The third combination I've tried was definitely my favourite. I stuck with Orly, but chose Halley's Comet which is a nice turquoise shade with flashes of green and I think this colour goes really well with the gold top coat making it look more silver actually. Really pretty! Now I'm thinking what other combinations should I try out? Okay, okay, maybe my nails do look quite cool after all.

17 Nail Xtras and Orly Halley's Comet

17 Nail Xtras and Orly Halley's Comet

Have you tried this crackle top coat or any other one?