Step 1: The first step is to prepare your nails. Do a regular manicure before applying the nail polish. It is important that the nails are clean and dry. Remove all old polish with a nail polish remover and then wash the hands with soap and water to let go of all chemicals from the nails. Dry them and then remove any dead skin around the nails. Step 2: Pick out a good quality base color and think about a color that will create a nice contrasting effect with the crackle color. Mostly, the effect is best when the base color is different from that of the crackle nail polish. Apply it on your nails. Use two to three coats so that the color looks bright and dark, and not pale. This will allow the crackle effect to look striking and glamorous by showing it through the cracks in your crackle nail polish. Step 3: Now, leave the nail polish for sometime, say 10 minutes until it dries, at least touch dry. This will not let the crackle polish ruin the base coat by running over it and wouldn't look messy. Step 4: Following this, apply a thick coat of crackle nail polish as per the base coat. Crackle polish dries really fast so apply it as fast as possible. Also, the nail polish crackles in the direction of your brush movement. So try applying it on diagonally, in a zig-zag or as a swirl to get the effect you want. Step 5: Watch and wait for the magic to happen. The crackle effect will begin to appear as the polish dries up. The drying process is fast, but also depends on the brand you use. Be patient and allow the formula to work and dry up. Leave it on for some 10 minutes. Make sure it dries up completely, else it will look smudged. Step 6: So, there you are with amazing and gorgeous looking crackle painted nails. Crackle nail polish has a matte look to it when dry because of the nature of the formula. Finish it with a layer of top coat to give it a glossy effect and make the polish last longer without flaking. The nature of the nail polish is a little delicate and so the top coat is necessary. So, have fun and all the very best for painting your nails. Happy experimenting!