Stamp-eeed

Looking through some of the very inspirational nail blogs out there, I've discovered the wonderful world of nail stamping. What a concept. Instead of having to paint these intricate designs right onto the nail, use a stamp! I do love art and detail, but it gets really tricky when using the left hand to paint on the right. Despite the fact that I'm somewhat ambidexterous (I was born a lefty, forced into being a righty,  can only do certain things left-handed, and have pretty sloppy handwritting with either hand), I have issues painting my left hand. I like the idea of being able to make an equally neat (or not so neat) design on my right hand as on my left (what some in the mani blogosphere would call the "model hand").

So, my task became to find a nail stamping kit. I've seen and read mostly about the Konad sets online and was going to order one when my sister said she owned a stamping set. Well, what better way to practice than with a free set and cheap polish? I also came across a $10 set at some local store (can't remember where now) and couldn't pass it up. So, with my Dollar Store polishes and inherited stamping set I tryed a design on my experimental mani from days before.

I added the checker design to the tip of my already animal print nail. A cross between a taxi, a checkered flag, and a tiger. That finger looks fast, doesn't it? :)

Next I removed the polish from my right middle finger and did a purple tipped french with glitter and white heart design stamp. Also added moon and star stamp in silver to the ring finger. Reminds me of witches and Halloween, one of my favorite holidays. I will definitely be incorporating that look into a special mani in October.

This next one I was actually attempting to fade one color into the next (no stamping). I botched it big time, but morphed it into a swirl pattern which has turned into one of my favorite designs. I used two coats of pastel green and added a pink and purple polish that I swirled with a toothpick. Another must revisit design.

And because my other pinky was feeling left out, I added some pink sparkle to the tip. I really love black polish with any design, or even plain. Such a dark and sexy color.

In the near future I'll do a more cohesive mani where all fingers are the same or at least similar (maybe, lol) but for now I like different looks for different digits. Keeps it ineteresting.