Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Cracks in the Walls was released by Australian indie polish maker Emily de Molly in August 2015. This is a pale sandy tint of silver grey, sort of a greige or pale silvery taupe -- a classically neutral color until you make a linear holo out of it and it evolves into something much more complex and magical. It has the slightly tarnished, smoky aspect of titanium with creamy nude undertones. Abundant finely-milled holographic pigment effects a glowing, pearly, semi-metallic look, and washes the base with delicate misty hues of violet, blue and pink. Floating within are the tiniest of silver holographic microglitters, so small that you don't even see them until the light hits them, igniting minute prismatic sparks with a starry twinkle over the nail. In direct sun, there's the brilliant fully-delineated holographic flare that you would expect from a silvery holo, amped with extra sparkle from the microglitters. 

Application was dreamy. The consistency of Cracks in the Walls is fluid, light and creamy with a medium viscosity and a smooth, even glide over the nail. It is amenable to thin or thicker coats and self-levels beautifully. Pigmentation is sheerish but buildable, rendering opaque coverage in two to three coats. Cleanup is easy and straightforward with a touch of stickiness on the part of the microglitters. Cracks in the Walls dries naturally in very good time to a silky smooth finish. Topcoat does not inhibit the holographic effects in any way.

Photos show three coats of Cracks in the Walls over Pretty Serious Rock On treatment and Pretty Serious All Your Base basecoat with a topcoat of Seche Vite.

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

Emily de Molly Cracks in the Walls

I am totally digging the lustrous quality and shifting hues of soft grey/nude-tinted linear holos such as this that seem to be appearing in number on the indie market over the past six months or so. Though similar, each is has its own distinct luster and orient, the way that pearls do, with degrees of reflectivity and iridescence. Cracks in the Walls, with its unusual inclusion of tiny twinkling microglitters, is a particularly lovely variation of the genre. In low light especially, the shading of the color around the prismatic flare had this fetching, delicately-scorched quality that just sends me!

love,
Liz