Stamping

Gradient with Lines Nails

Gradient with Lines Nails

Hi all!

I wanted to do another gradient with stamping yesterday. First, I attempted to use this method to create the gradient and it was just a big old mess. So, I went back to applying each color individually to a sponge and then sponging the color on. I felt like I had more control that way. There was also less clean up. :)

After the gradient, I put on a coat of glitter and then stamped in black.

Base Colors: China Glaze Aquadelic, Gothic Lolita, Fuchsia Fanatic, and Fairy Dust.
Stamping Color: Konad Special Polish Black
Stamping Plate: Konad S6

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Rainbow Chevron Nails

Supplies

Green polish (China Glaze Gaga for Green)
Yellow polish (Zoya Pippa)
Orange polish (Zoya Arizona)
Red Polish (Zoya Kristi)
Konad Special Polish in Black
Bundle Monster Plate BM-201
Top Coat polish (Seche Vite)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Paint green polish in one corner of nail and up the side. Paint a second coat if needed. Let dry.
  2. Paint yellow polish diagonally across nail, overlapping green polish. Paint a second coat if needed. Let dry.
  3. Paint orange polish next to and overlapping yellow polish. Paint a second coat if needed. Let dry.
  4. Pair red polish next to orange polish to finish nail. Paint a second coat if needed. Let dry completely.
  5. Stamp chevron pattern in black polish. Apply top coat.
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Aqua Navy Nails

Aqua Navy Nails

Base Color: Zoya Wednesday
Stamping Color: Zoya Ibiza
Stamping Plate: Konad m83

I saw Zoya Ibiza used for stamping on a blog a while back and decided to try it out. I think it works because it’s such a dark color. I was sure to stamp it very quickly, however. Being that it’s a regular polish, it tends to dry much more quickly than the Konad Special Polishes. In fact, you can’t see it, but the stamping on my thumb is all sorts of messed up because I wasn’t fast enough. :)

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Non-Konad Polishes that work for Nail Stamping

Non-Konad Polishes that work for Nail Stamping

When I first starting nail stamping, I only used the Konad Special Polishes. Granted, I started out with only black and white, but they seemed to be the best options. Since then I’ve learned that there are some other polishes that work, too. :)

Metallic Polishes

Chrome or metallic polishes. Most silver polishes like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Silver Sweep, or China Glaze Millenium are great examples. Also, all the polishes from China Glaze’s Romantique collection from a couple years ago stamp very well. I picked up those from a seller on Amazon.com a while back.

Opaque Quick Drying Polishes

Sometimes regular old polish will work. When I discover that a polish I already own will stamp sufficiently it’s like finding buried treasure! :)

Most of the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polishes will work. There are just a few that I’ve found that do not (Going Grape, for example). And the best part is that the Insta-Dri line of polishes is sold in drug stores and what I lovingly call “The Mother Ship” aka Ulta Beauty. ;)

Sometimes darker Zoya or Essie polishes will work. Really, the best thing to do is to just try polishes out.

Your Online Nail Buddies to the Rescue!

I came across this list not too long ago. A bunch of avid nail stamping fans have been compiling a list of non-Konad polishes that work for stamping. It’s definitely worth checking out, even though it hasn’t been updated for a while. :)

New to stamping? What to get first…

For brand new nail stampers, I would suggest the following polishes:

  • Konad Special Polish White (haven’t found a white as good)
    Konad Special Polish Black (many blacks work, I just use this since I have it)
    Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Silver Sweep
    Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Presto Pink

Those are my most used stamping polishes, although I do have a few more that I love to use.

All in all, it’s really about trying out different polishes to see what works for you. I’ve read on some nail blogs that they’ll find an old dried up polish, try it out with stamping, and it will work beautifully. So don’t be afraid to do some experimenting on your own. :)

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