Nail Stamping Is Going To Make You Feel Like A Pro Manicurist — Here’s How

PSA: Nail stamping is one such technique that’s going to make your monthly appointments at the salon seem redundant. Yup. You don’t have to depend on your manicurist anymore. All you need is a couple of tools, and you’re on your way to becoming a self-reliant, independent woman of the 21st century. Nail-stamping is not a new trend but it’s resurfacing, and how. Here’s what it is, and why it makes for the best manis without demanding you to tap into your artistic abilities at all. 

What Is Nail Stamping Anyway?

The process of nail stamping involves stamping your nails with pre-made nail-art designs instead of free-handing them. You need four tools for the technique: a nail-stamping plate, a nail polish, a scraper, and a stamper. There’s no dearth of options, and you can explore as many designs as you want — from flowers to dream catchers, find a design you like, and start stamping! That’s how simple stamping nail art is. If you’re wondering how to do nail stamping, keep scrolling!

How Do You Do Nail Stamping?

Once you have assembled your tools — as mentioned above — you’re ready to start stamping. While nail stamping is relatively simpler than drawing nail-art designs, you need to follow a process to achieve a satisfactory end result. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Base Coat

2. Nail Stamping Plate 

3. Scraper

4. Stamper

5. Nail Polish/es

6. Top Coat

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the technique:

1. Apply A Clear Base Coat

Do apply an all-clear base coat before starting. This layer will act as a buffer between the polish and your nails and prevent the nails from staining or weakening. 

MyGlamm Recommends: MyGlamm LIT Nail Paint — Groundwork 

This formula is vegan and cruelty-free and is endowed with long-stay, chip-resistant abilities. One swipe and your nails are all set for the next steps. 

2. Apply Nail Polish

Once the base coat has dried, proceed to fill the nails in with a colour of your choice. Make sure this colour pairs well with the colour you’re planning on stamping your nails with. Let the polish dry for a couple of minutes. 

MyGlamm Recommends: Manish Malhotra Gel Finish Nail Lacquer — Coconut Kiss

Coconut Kiss by Manish Malhotra might not be a stamping nail polish but it is an ultra-gloss, hi-shine formula that delivers a splash of milky-white to the nails. It mimics a salon-like finish and is just as long-stay and chip-resistant as the base coat. It's quick-drying and non-staining — and since it doesn't contain chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP (amongst other things), it's extremely safe to use.

3. Apply Polish On The Stamping Plate

Retrieve your plate, and apply a different colour on a design of your choice. Look for something bright and poppy. 

MyGlamm Recommends: Manish Malhotra Gel Finish Nail Lacquer — The Love Edit 

The Love Edit by Manish Malhotra is another ultra-gloss, hi-shine formula stained with the red of cherries.

4. Scrape Excess Polish Off

Hold the scraper at a 45-degree angle to the plate, and slough off any excess nail polish until you’re able to see the design underneath. The nail polish should have filled all the grooves perfectly.

5. Stamp To Pick Up Polish

Pick up your stamper and roll it over the design — starting from one side and rolling it across to the other. Don’t push down on the stamper too hard.

6. Stamp Your Nail

Position the stamper over the part of the nail you want to stamp, and press it onto the spot quickly — especially if your nail polish is fast-drying.

7. Conclude With Top Coat

Seal it all in with a swipe of an all-clear top coat once the design has dried. 

MyGlamm Recommends: MyGlamm Lit Nail Enamel — Seal The Deal

Coat the nails with this long-stay, cruelty-free, and vegan formula. 

Onto the prettiest nail stamp designs.

The Prettiest Nail Stamping Designs To Recreate

1. French Fusion

If you like your neutral-toned French manis too much, consider fusing the two techniques. Stamp two or three nails with leaves, and add specks of gold to the design. 

2. Two-Toned

If you like symmetry, geometry, and all things related, this black-and-white nail-art design is perfect for you to start with. Notice how the base alternates between both colours. This one is simple and quick to ace. 

3. Printed Patterns

Do you like prints and patterns? This nail-art look is neat and understated. Here’s how the user achieved it — ‘I painted my nails with dark purple, burnt orange, peach & lighter yellow nail polishes. Then I stamped 4 different sweater print images on my nails with stamping polishes. Finished with matte top coat!’ 

4. Abstract Art 

This abstract mani is all sorts of bold and colourful. Set the base with the poppiest blue you can find, and opt for greens and yellows to create a contrast between the colours. 

5. Snowflake Fantasy

Winter is coming, and so is the need for a seasonal manicure. You can substitute the yellow with blue or white to play into the theme even more!

Tips For Nail Stamping

Want to ace the technique? Here are some nail stamping tips to help you perfect it.

1. Do clean your nail-stamping plate once you’re done. You can dip a cotton ball in some acetone before going over the design with it. Any build-up on the plate can prevent your stamper from picking up the design efficiently. 

2. If you’re using a regular nail polish instead of a stamping nail polish, make sure the formula is opaque and thick — or it won’t work.

3. You can create your own decal by picking up an image on your stamper. Instead of stamping your nails, just layer the design on the stamper with some top coat. Once the top coat has dried and hardened, peel the design off the stamper with a pair of tweezers. Apply some top coat on the nail before placing your design on top. 

4. Let your nails dry completely before stamping them with a design. 

5. You can use your creativity to layer different designs over one another.

If you’ve been looking for a sign to indulge in some me-time, nail stamping is it. 

FAQs

Should you always use a base coat?

It is recommended to coat your nails before painting them — simply because you don’t want your polish staining your nails. This added layer of protection can add strength to your nails and smooth over any ridges and unevenness in the process. 

Should I clean my stamping plate after each stamp? 

Always clean the plate immediately after stamping. The quicker you clean it, the easier it is for the polish to come off. All you have to do is soak a piece of cotton in acetone before going over the plate with it a couple of times. Avoid using a solution with oils or moisturisers while you’re at it. 

What is a good nail polish to use for stamping?

You might find that enlisting a stamping nail polish in the process is much more effective than using a regular one. But if you’re opting for a regular nail polish, make sure that it’s thick and opaque. Remember that stamping is not the same as painting the nails. A formula that’s thick holds form on the nail, and an opaque one doesn’t require you to go over the nail more than once. 

Also Read

1. Blue Nail Art Designs: Blue is universally regarded as an all-year-round colour — refreshing and energizing your vibe instantly. That’s why drowning your lacquers in hues of teal, navy, and indigo is not such a bad idea. The holiday season is coming up, and it’s time to upgrade your digits by opting for blue nail-art designs.

2. Everything About Hangnails: What are hangnails, and are they as cryptic as they sound? Find out!

3. Pink Nail Art Designs: Remember how we were shamed for liking pink as little girls? Not anymore. The colour is as empowering as it is feminine, and it guarantees you it-girl status instantly. Here are some designs to add to your mood board.

4. Popular Nail Polish Designs: Some nail-polish designs have been trending on the ‘gram. Did you catch ‘em yet?

5. Brittle Nails: Sometimes unknown reasons can cause nails to brittle, find out the reasons to take precautions.