What is nail stamping, pros and cons of technology. What tools and materials are needed? How to prepare nails, manicure options. Real reviews.
Stamping nails is a manicure technique performed with the help of special tools. The essence of the technology is to transfer the pattern first to the stamp, and then to the nail plates. As a result, after one pressing with a stencil, a drawing is obtained that is indistinguishable from a professional artistic painting.
What is stamping?
In the photo stamping for nails
Stamping is an easy way to design your nails. After obtaining certain skills, you can do it at home for yourself and your friends.
The advantages of this type of manicure:
- reusable use of tools and materials;
- the ability to transfer a drawing of any complexity;
- variety of manicure options (contrast, color, neon);
- the ability to use a stamp to decorate accessories.
It is worth noting that a nail stamping method is rarely obtained the first time. Masters advise first to practice on plastic templates in the form of a nail plate, and only then proceed to work with a person.
Other disadvantages of the method are:
- high cost of quality branded tools;
- the impossibility of creating a three-dimensional pattern;
- the need to redo the entire nail when smearing the pattern;
- difficulties in working on the right hand (for right-handers).
But small flaws in manicure, such as rubbing, blotting, blurring of the pattern line, can be corrected before the varnish dries. To do this, use an orange stick, a toothpick, and a lint-free napkin. Another option is gluing a rhinestone, a matte pebble, or a flap of crumpled foil to the problem area.
Stamping tools and materials
To master the stamping technique, you must purchase the following tools and materials:
- Plates. The material is a round, square or rectangular metal tile. From 6 to 12 impressions are applied to it. The cost of the plate depends on its size, the quality of the metal, the uniformity of the pattern lines. Too deep embossing is difficult to fill with thick stamping paint. Therefore, white void spots may remain on the nail. On the contrary, a small print contributes to an extremely fast hardening of the varnish, requires haste when transferring a pattern.
- Stamp. This is the name of the tool for transferring the pattern to the nail plate. It consists of a soft pad and a comfortable handle. There are models with a one-sided working area, similar in appearance to an ice cream cone, and two-sided, in which the pads are inserted from both sides. Many manufacturers include several replacement pads in different colors. This feature allows you to clearly see the drawing of any shade. The most common are transparent silicone tips. Moreover, little-known inexpensive stamps are often more convenient and multifunctional than expensive branded goods.
- Scraper. Usually the tool comes with a stamp, but you can buy it separately if you wish. Externally, the scraper looks like a rectangular guitar pick. One side of it is equipped with a dense, but thin nozzle, which is convenient for removing excess paint from the metal plate. The metal tip has a long shelf life, but it often scratches the plate. The plastic scraper works gently, but does not last long. If the instrument deteriorates during the stamping process, it can be replaced with a regular plastic card.
- Varnishes and paints. The varnish coating can be of any density and color brightness. But masters have special requirements for stamping paints. First, there must be a high concentration of pigment. Only in this case, you can get a clear pattern of the pattern. Secondly, the material should easily spread along the grooves of the impression, but at the same time not blur on the nail plate.
In addition, this type of manicure requires a plate stand, an orange stick, liquid cuticle tape, a lint-free napkin, and a cleanser. You can buy materials for nail stamping in professional cosmetics departments, as well as in online stores.
How to prepare your nails for stamping?
Stamping looks good only on neat nails of the same length. Therefore, before drawing a pattern, it is necessary to perform preliminary actions.
Features of nail preparation:
- Free your desktop from unnecessary things. Place all the necessary tools and materials in front of you.
- Treat the nail plates with a nail file and buff so that they are the same size and as smooth as possible.
- Dip your fingers in warm sea salt water. After a few minutes, the cuticle will soften and can be trimmed or pushed back.
- Use an antiseptic and moisturizer on your fingers.
How to stamp nails?
After preparing the nails, you can proceed to the stamping procedure itself. Our recommendations will help ensure an even coating with varnish, paint, base, finish.
Classic manicure
Before stamping on nails, apply one layer of protective base to the nail plates.
Then proceed according to the following instructions:
- After drying, cover your nails with colored varnish.
- Apply a layer of liquid tape to the cuticle and skin area.
- Find a drawing and a suitable paint for it.
- Insert the disc into the stand.
- Apply paint to the pattern area.
- Remove excess paint with a scraper.
- Press the pad of the stamp onto the impression.
- With one rolling motion, transfer the design to your nail.
- Clean tools with nail polish remover.
- Repeat all the steps on the other fingers.
- Peel off the liquid tape from the cuticle.
- Secure the design with a top coat.
Please note that nail stamping for beginners can be complicated by smudges and scuffs. Eliminate these problems immediately after removing the stamp, while the varnish has not dried. Further, the stain can be masked only with the help of various decorations.
Dry stamping
Stamped nails look nice and neat, especially when working with dry pigment. After all, the drawing is obtained without ebb, matte and sophisticated.
For this type of manicure, you will need an extra fine dry pigment, a short-haired brush, and other tools and materials for stamping.
Algorithm for performing a manicure:
- Prepare your nails.
- Apply a layer of base coat.
- Cover your nails with two coats of colored nail polish.
- Grab the dry pigment with a brush and transfer it to the plate.
- Fill in the drawing with a patting motion.
- Print it onto the pad of the stamp.
- Apply the pattern to the nail in one rolling motion.
- Blow off excess powder.
- Apply a top coat.
The main feature of dry stamping is the use of a sticky layer of varnish. If, with a conventional manicure, the stickiness is removed with the help of a degreaser, then for this type of design this stage is skipped. In addition, you should not process the stamp pad with a buff. It should also be slightly sticky.
Manicurists advise applying a thick topcoat. When working with a dry pattern, the brush should be wet and glide well so as not to smear the pattern.
Stamping with several pigments
An interesting rainbow manicure is obtained by using several shades of dry pigment. It looks especially impressive against the background of black nail polish.
Algorithm of actions:
- Prepare your nails for a manicure.
- Cover them with two coats of black varnish.
- Dry under the lamp.
- Remove the stickiness.
- Treat the cuticles with liquid tape.
- Apply dry pigments in the form of a rainbow (under each other) on the pad of the stamp.
- Apply white stamping paint to the plate drawing.
- Remove excess liquid with a scraper.
- Press the plate against the pad of the stamp.
- Transfer the drawing to your nail.
- Peel off the liquid tape from the cuticle.
- Cover with a finish when dry.
Manicurists advise placing dry pigments not randomly, but in the order of darkening the color. For example, from pale pink to deep purple, or from lemon to mustard. Thus, the nails are bright, but not flashy-vulgar.
Stamping in gradient manicure
Before making a gradient stamping on your nails, prepare three paints of the same company and a white base varnish. It is this combination of shades that allows you to get a beautiful and neat manicure.
Procedure:
- Prepare your nails.
- Apply starter coat to them.
- Cover them with two coats of white varnish.
- Apply liquid tape to cuticles.
- Select the pattern on the plate.
- Apply three different stamping paints horizontally to it so that there is no gap between them.
- Make 7-10 horizontal strokes with the scraper to blend the edges of the paints.
- Press down on the design with the pad of the stamp.
- Transfer it to your nail.
- Peel off the liquid tape.
- After the pattern has dried, apply a top coat.
For this type of manicure, experts recommend choosing a symmetrical pattern from clear lines or geometric patterns. The image should emphasize the beauty of the gradient, but not distract attention to the plot of the drawing.
Stamping in evening manicure
Stamping for nails is well suited when creating an evening festive manicure. It is recommended to use golden or silver varnish and complement the image with transparent rhinestones.
Procedure:
- Prepare your nails.
- Apply a layer of starter coat.
- Cover the nail plate with 2 coats of burgundy varnish.
- Protect the cuticle with liquid tape.
- Find an exquisite monogram design.
- Cover it with gold paint.
- Remove excess with a scraper.
- Apply the design to the pad of the stamp.
- Transfer it to your nail in a rolling motion.
- Peel off the liquid tape.
- Apply a layer of topcoat.
Evening manicure can be decorated with crystals, pearls, matte rhinestones. Golden paint goes well with shredded foil shreds, glitter, glitter powder.
Marble stamping manicure
Stamping can be done without using a metal plate. So, the manicurist noticed that the nail polish spreads with beautiful spots on the stamp pad. Based on this property, they came up with stone or marble designs.
Algorithm of actions:
- Complete the preliminary stage of the manicure.
- Apply starter coat.
- Cover your nails with two coats of light green nail polish.
- Protect the cuticles with liquid tape.
- Prepare 3 tubes of varnish from the same manufacturer (dark green, gray and black).
- Make some "blots" on the pad of the stamp.
- Print the stamp to the nail plate.
- Cover with a finish when dry.
A feature of stone manicure is a chaotic, disproportionate arrangement of spots. Involuntary leakage of one color onto another is allowed, that is, mixing of the edges. After the varnish has dried, you can draw the veins of the stone with a fine-bristled brush.
Foil stamping
Many manicurists know how to combine several types of nail designs. So, a pattern taken from a stamping plate and transferred to nails covered with foil looks beautiful and neat.
To apply the base coat, you need to take two colors of the foil (for example, purple and silver). Cut off a small piece and place it on the table next to other materials. Next, process the nail, apply one layer of starter coat on it.
In the next step, you need to cover the nail with two layers of varnish in a neutral nude shade. Now glue the foil. To do this, attach it to the nail plate with the matte side, press it with your finger and tear it off sharply. If everything is done correctly, a film with a transparent spot will remain in the hand, and the shiny part will stick to the varnish.
To get a beautiful original base, first glue the purple foil in random spots of different sizes. And then fill the voids with a silvery material. Secure the pattern with a top coat. Once dry, apply liquid tape to the cuticles.
Next, you need to apply a pattern from a metal stamping plate. To do this, paint over it with varnish, seal the desired part with a stamp, transfer the pattern to the nail plate. Peel off the liquid tape and fix the manicure with a top coat.
Please note that only one type of design should prevail in this type of manicure. So, on a bright shiny base, you need to apply a neat neutral pattern. And if the base is pale, the drawing can be more catchy and noticeable.
Real reviews of stamping nails
Before stamping your nails, it is important to read reviews about this manicure technique, learn how to combine colors, and correct mistakes. In most cases, women are satisfied with the result and advise others to do this type of manicure. Here are some indicative reviews about nail stamping.
Natalia, 39 years old, Taganrog
I have no time to go to the Beauty Salon. I do the manicure myself. Moreover, now there are many ways to decorate your nails, no worse than in the salon. Stamping helps to transfer the most complex and intricate pattern in literally one movement. In this case, all lines are the same and clear. The main thing is to get used to it and understand with what force you need to press on the nail. And in the end it turns out very beautifully.
Ksenia, 42 years old, Belgorod
I bought myself some stamping tools for a long time. I was lucky, I chose a very convenient stamp with a silicone pad the first time. It simply envelops the nail, and the drawing lays down neatly, without streaks and smears. In addition, with the help of several stencils and 5-7 nail polishes, you can create many variations of manicure that are not similar to each other. And then you can exchange records with other masters.
Marina, 25 years old, Kaliningrad
I often choose nail stamping. But I only do my nails in the salon. Once I wanted to make it myself, but it turned out that the set of tools is very expensive. At the same time, there are only 6-8 patterns on the plate. Therefore, I prefer to relax in the salon and watch my nails turn into a work of art. Moreover, the price of a manicure is quite affordable.
How to stamp on nails - watch the video:
