Do you remember the first time you heard about nail stamping? For me, it was around 2010/2011, and I was just starting out with my true nail polish obsession. I had always loved getting my nails done and enjoyed the process of being pampered. In fact, I started getting acrylics because I wanted to kick the nail/cuticle biting habit, and it actually worked! Once I was past that, I started getting weekly manicures and then started buying polish. Who could have imagined that I would end up with thousands of bottles? I do believe that I discovered stamping on youtube and quickly bought a bunch of stuff from Amazon–all Konad. I actually still use the same Konad stamper that I’ve had for like 7 years! I know that stamping has grown in popularity, and we now have many options; one of those options being clear stampers. I have hesitated trying them because I am a creature of habit, but I recently bit the bullet and purchased the Pueen Transparent Soft Stamper. Is it a winner or a dud? Let’s read below to find out!
So first let me tell you what I used as my base for the stamping: 2 coats of Bee’s Knees Lacquer Blorange (press sample) and 1 coat of KBShimmer You Dew You (press sample). This is a glorious combination! Sorry for my wrinkly fingers–I think it was cold and my skin usually gets kinda wrinkly like that. Focus on the beautiful polish!
The stamper that I purchased came in a scraper/stamper set. I was excited to try it because it’s nice to be able to see exactly where your image will be placed. I decided to use my most trusty stamping polish: Pure Ice Silver Mercedes.
I think the stamping turned out really well. It’s crisp and perfectly aligned. The stamper is nice and squishy and of a good size because it felt comfortable in my hand. As you may already know, you cannot use acetone on the jelly stamper head because it will cloud it and make it break down. I used a lint roller to clean up any left over polish from the stamper head. I also want to caution you about getting acetone on the plastic holder because it will ruin it–I learned the hard way. While I had no problems getting a good image with this polish and with this image, I will admit that it was very hit or miss. I had a hard time picking up a clear image with other polishes and other plates. I find that it’s all about trial and error so that part was kind of a let down. I don’t know why some images and some polishes work better than others. I usually have zero problems with my Konad stamper so I was bummed out because I really love the control a clear stamper gives you. I think I will have to play with it a little more so I can hopefully get the hang of it. Is you’re interested in purchasing this, you can get it on the Pueen Site where it retails for $6.99. I am very interested in hearing about your experiences with clear stampers. If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear them. Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I will talk to you soon!
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Pueen Transparent Soft Stamper Pueen Transparent Soft Stamper Pueen Transparent Soft Stamper
I wish I could get the hang of stamping. I’ve tried and tried and I just can’t. And honestly I don’t have the patience to keep trying! It stinks that this was such a hit/miss product because the stamping you’ve done here is gorgeous.
Jessica recently posted..Thermal Flame nail art manicure with Celestial Cosmetics and Fancy Gloss
I never really had problems with the Konad stamper but I want the control that clear stampers give me and I want to do all that reverse stamping stuff. I bought a stamper from PPU that I hear is amazing. We shall see.
Ohhhhhh! That polish looks amazing and I am totally digging that stamp design. I have the nubbest nubs right now and I am totally envious of your mani!
I love nubs! I don’t think I can deal with much longer nails than what I have now. I’m happy with how this mani turned out…I just want to do more interesting stamping.
Stamping looks so easy but there is definitely a learning curve. Not every stamper will work either for every pattern. I still struggle with those larger images that use a lot of paint and have open areas and also with super duper fine lines. I also started with Konad stamps and still have my OG Konad double ended hard stamper. It seems to work well for everything but it is harder to apply to the nail without getting wonky lines since it goes on in a rolling motion instead of a straight down press. I prefer the clear jelly stampers too but they struggle with some images. Yes, like you encountered, I set an acetone soaked cotton ball on the table and the back of the stamper rolled into it and now the stamper holder is cloudy in that spot. The little squishy stamper is fine, but the cloudy holder makes it hard to see to place the image correctly and taking the stamper out of the holder was a disaster and talk about wonky stamping! I got my clear stamper at WalMart as they started selling the Pueen ones. Mine is a short one which I think is easier to work with than the tall holders. I saw that Cassis P on YouTube takes hers out and puts it in a masking tape roll to make her own short holder. (I can’t believe it’s cold where you are, how rare is it for you to say that?!!!)
I saw that short Pueen stamper and thought it might work better for me, but I am reasonably happy with this one. I just wish it picked all of the images up the same way as my Konad stamper. I am pretty rough on my Konad stamper and do a hard press instead of a rolling motion. I noticed that with these squishy clear stampers, I have to use more of a rolling motion because the corners of my nails can dig into the jelly head and that will make it break down quickly. I did order the clear stamper that was offered in March PPU so I can’t wait to get it and try it out. It is funny that it’s been a little cold here; in fact, it has been raining on and off so it does get a little chilly!
This mani is absolutely stunning!! There is a slightly different technique to get best results with clear stampers. I use a clear stamper 99% of the time. I have found that they don’t do well with very very fine lines but other than that I can pick up most anything with them. They can be finicky though and need to be washed with soap and water fairly regularly to keep them picking up.
PolishandPaws recently posted..The Digit-al Dozen does Stamping: Trains
I am definitely going to try washing mine. While it picked up here nicely, I have struggled a lot with other plates and images. I actually normally can pick up fine lines with this one but any other bigger design just doesn’t pick up. I hope that the new one that I bought is better. I can’t wait to try it. You have such amazing stamping skills!
Cynthia recently posted..Tonic Bauble
My first stamping was Konad. Bought loads of plates and their stamper. Since then have loads of different plates and love my big bling stamper. Now my eyes have been opened to all these super plates from different brands/makers. Plus finding out you don’t need special stamping polishes too! What a journey lol. This looks like another great stamper ♡
Stamping is so fun and once you get the hang of it, it’s such an easy way to get a really intricate and fun mani. I have another clear stamper on its way to me so I’m excited about trying it out.
I love my clear stamper. I got mine from Born Pretty. The only images I can’t grab are the problematic ones anyway. It sucks when you can’t pick the image up right.
Leslie Straub recently posted..Way Back Wednesday St. Pat’s Nails
I want to try the Born Pretty one too. There seem to be some weird plates that no matter what you do, the image will not pick up well.
Wow, Blorange with You Dew You is a perfect combo!
I totally agree. It looks so beautiful.