This entry features Dior's Fall 2012 Golden Jungle collection - a duo of nailpolish that gives you a crocodile leather effect on your nails.  

The crocodile effect, of course, refers to the special effects topcoat which will shatter/ crackle to reveal the base color, and also splits into patterns that resemble the luxurious crocodile leather texture.   Such shatter topcoats aren't new to nailpolish lovers, and I am sure there are many people who can go on at length on the differences in the pattern of the shatter among the various brands. I have only tried on the OPI ones (from the Katy Perry & Nicki Minaj collections).. and I can tell you, I am not the biggest fan of these special topcoats.  They just look a little gimmicky to me, and while I don't find them 'ugly', it's just not something I would wear on my nails for more than a day. 

But I have tried out the Dior set, and I will share with you, if the crocodile leather effect is really apparent.  I think as you can already see from the first picture in this entry, the crocodile effect is pretty cool, in the sense they the pieces break off in rather piece-y manner, and the edges of the nails only cracks a bit, in smaller areas.  The centre part of the nails has the bigger pieces intact. 

And if you look at just my middle finger, where I have unintentionally applied the topcoat a little thicker, the polish cracks in larger areas...while on the rest of the fingers (where I only applied a thinner even layer), the polish cracks a little more evenly.  It isn't the same as the OPI ones which I have tried, and I certainly do think the Dior set is really a more luxe and grown up looking version of this shatter nailpolish trend. And I also think that the color combination of this set makes it really kind of luxurious looking. 

Photos & Close Ups

Some tips on application to ensure best results

Apply 2 even coats of the golden base color

Wait a minute for it to dry

Apply 1 thin coat of the special topcoat

Do not try to apply a second layer

Do not apply it too thickly if not it will 'pool' on your nails and the effect will not be as pretty

Wait a couple of minutes for the effects to take place

Apply topcoat for maximum shine

The brush applicator in this set of nail polish is different from the regular Dior ones which have a rounded tip.  

This is more like the usual type of brush applicators.  

A little smaller, and perhaps give you more control over the application.

Here's the step by step transformation

Apply 2 coats of the golden base color

Apply a thin layer of the special top coat

in this pic you can see on the little finger, where I first applied, the edges are starting to crack

more cracking, especially around the nail edges

here you can see on my middle finger, the cracking takes slightly longer, due to the thicker patch of polish applied

all done, without topcoat, one thing to note, unlike the OPI ones, the Dior ones don't dry as quickly and the full effects take longer to fully appear

They don't dry matte like the OPI ones too. 

applied topcoat

does the crocodile leather effect look like a Diorissimo bag here?

I will let you be the judge... 

[image credit from Dior.com]

I know that these special effect topcoats aren't for everyone, but if you are curious about the Dior set and like shatter nailpolishes in general, I must say, go get them.  They really do make your manicure look quite something. 

For my full coverage on the Dior Fall 2012 collection, including the other two vernis in Bengale & Amazonia, click HERE

The set of two polishes, both 10ml, retails for S$47. 

Hope this has been helpful, and thanks for looking!