Simple polished nails can be transformed into fun pieces of fingernail art with the use of a nail stamper.Good preparation is needed to get the stamps to apply evenly.You can get the nail stamp results you are looking for if you clean and prep your stamper head and plate the right way.
Step 1: Pull the cylinder of the gel stamper with your fingers.
The gel stamper head should pop out of the plastic cylinder with minimal effort.If you need to get under the edge of the stamper head, use your fingernail, but be careful not to slice into it with your nail.Clear gel stampers allow you to look through the cylinder and see where you are writing.
Step 2: Put soap and water on the stamper head.
The stamper head should be placed in a bowl of clean water and dish soap.Rub the stamper head with your fingers.New stamper heads are usually oily because of the manufacturing process.Your stamps will not transfer to your nails properly if you don't clean this off.Do not acetone clean clear gel stamper heads.The clear gel will begin to break down.For the first cleaning, soapy water is fine, while alcohol and acetone-free nail polish remover work well to clean off polish remnants after use.
Step 3: Remove all the soap from the water.
You can dunk the stamper head in a bowl of water and rub it with your fingers.It is possible to hold it under water for a short time.
Step 4: The stamper head should be washed with a lint-free towel.
The stamper head can be lightly rubbed with a cloth or paper towel.The stamper head can be popped back into the cylinder once it is dry.If you got lint on the stamper head because you chose the wrong cloth to dry it, you can rinse the lint away under clean water and use a different cloth.
Step 5: Rub the head of your new stamper with a nail buffer.
Keep the stamper head in place by holding the cylinder.Use your nail buffer to buff the stamper head.If you create more than a small amount of powder, you are buffing too hard.During the manufacturing process, oils are left behind on the rubbery stamper surface.Unlike the newer clear gel heads, the traditional stamper heads are squishy.It can be difficult to get used to using them, but they are just as effective and last longer than clear gel stampers.
Step 6: Put a cotton ball in acetone.
Make your best estimate of how much it will take to saturate a single cotton ball by pouring about a capful of 100% acetone into a small bowl.Let the cotton ball absorb as much acetone as it can.Use 100% acetone, not nail polish remover that has any amount of acetone.Pure acetone can be purchased alongside nail polish removers.It's a good idea to keep acetone away from open flames.Don't inhale more acetone fumes than you need to complete your task.
Step 7: The cotton ball can be used to clean off the stamper head.
Pick up the cotton ball and use it to clean the stamper head.As soon as the acetone dries, the stamper is ready to use.
Step 8: Remove the metal stamper plate with acetone.
You can add a capful of acetone to a small bowl and soak it up with a cotton ball.The saturated cotton ball can be used to clean the plate.Before using the stamper plate, let it dry for 60 seconds.This includes the first time you use the plate.There are 4 or more stamp patterns etched into the surface of the nail stamper plates.If you want to get a clean stamp on your fingernail, you need to remove dried polish from the etchings.The nail stamper plates are made of metal and can stand up to regular cleanings.If you have a non-metal stamper plate, check the product guide for specific cleaning instructions.
Step 9: You can give a generous amount of polish to your pattern.
To fill in the etching of the stamp pattern you want to use, add enough stamp polish to the plate to cover the flat surface surrounding it.You don't need to cover the entire plate and all the etchings, just the one you're going to use right now!The best results can be found in the Stamping polish, which is specifically designed for nail stamping.You can use a trial-and-error approach with other polishes.It's best to have thicker polishes that provide single-coat coverage.There is old polish that can work here.
Step 10: Use a scraper or credit card to remove excess polish from the plate.
Some nail stampers prefer the old gift card or scraper that comes with the kit.If you want to get it across the plate, hold it at a 45 degree angle.The goal is to leave behind all the polish in the etching and wipe it away on the flat surface of the plate.If there is still some polish on the plate, wipe off the edge of your scraper with a cotton ball.Load the stamper head and apply your stamp right away.It will be difficult to clean out when you are done, so don't allow the polish to start drying.
Step 11: Roll the stamper head over the plate.
The head of the stamper should be at a 45 degree angle to the plate if you hold it by the cylinder.Touch the edge of the stamper head to the plate to see the etched, polish-filled stamp pattern.Press the stamper head down onto the pattern and lift it off with a single rolling motion.The stamp pattern will be on the stamper head if you pull straight up.It is okay if you have to practice this move a few times before you get it right.
Step 12: The stamp pattern appears to be good on the stamper head.
Look down through the clear cylinder if you are using a clear gel stamper.Take a look at the transferred pattern on the head with a traditional stamper.You are good to go if it looks right.The instructions for cleaning off the stamper head should be followed if the pattern didn't transfer well.Then try again!
Step 13: The rolling motion of the stamp is the same as before.
The stamper should be held at a 45 degree angle as you line up the stamp over your nail.Roll the stamp over your nail.Lift the stamper and look at your new nail stamp.The best way to get the best results is to apply a clear base coat and 1-2 coats of polish to your nails.Allow each coat to dry before proceeding.If the stamp doesn't look right, wipe it away with a damp cotton ball and try again.
Step 14: A clear top coat protects your nail stamp.
Wait a couple of minutes until the stamp has dried, then brush on the top coat.Once it dries, you will almost be ready to show off your nails.
Step 15: Use packing tape or a lint roller to clean the stamper head.
Remove a strip of packing tape, stick it to a lint-free cloth, and pull it off to make it less sticky.Pull the stamper away from the tape by pressing it down.The nail polish should be removed from the stamper head.Instead of packing tape, try a lint roller that uses tear-away strips of tape.If you can't get all the polish off of the stamper head, wipe it with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.A clear gel stamper head does not need 100% acetone.
Step 16: The polish should be wiped from the plate with a cotton ball and acetone.
You can wipe off all the polish on the stamp plate by soaking a cotton ball in acetone.It will be difficult to remove the polish if it is allowed to harden in the pattern etchings.