Konad Nail Stamp Haul and Attempts



I got some additional image plates from wowsocool.com, and I like their fast shipping, free shipping over $20 and 20% off coupons. I got these image plates because I like the design, and I'm still learning full-nail designs, so this would give me hours of practice. I also got the special polish in Violet Pearl because I'm really into purples, and this would go well with my lilac and pink polishes. The m66 plate has beautiful cherry blossom and asian bamboo designs, so I believe this would be a favorite as well.

Here are some of my attempts this week.



I love, love, love OPI's Gotta Get Pink!. This is an ULTA exclusive, I believe, and it gives this super pretty milky white-pink cream shade that is so gorgeous. It was a bit streaky, though, so I used three coats, but I didn't care; I adore the color. I loved it on its own, and I kinda regret that I used a full-nail image for this because it kinda made everything look too busy. I should have used a small image that doesn't occupy the whole nailbed, but I loved it nonetheless. Violet Pearl and Gotta Get Pink! really hit it off, and I will definitely use this combination again for a different design.



Here's a summer nail look using summer/spring colors. I did the butterfly image in an alternating upside down pattern to give the illusion of a butterfly fluttering around. Haha.

Some notes on my Konad adventures:

1. I didn't know I had the plastic scraper in my Konad kit. I didn't have to use the old credit card as a scraper, although I have to admit, it worked pretty damn good.

2. The towelettes soaked in nail polish remover are a stroke of genius. I can take out all the nail polish in a minute or two without dealing with messy bottles and cotton pads.

3. This is the application sequence/formula that works best for me: After cleaning and filing nails and cuticles, wipe nails down with nail polish remover to take out oils. Apply Nail Revitalizer, Orly Bonder base coat, base color (2-3 coats), apply Seche Vite top coat, let dry 10-15 minutes, apply Konad image, let dry 5 minutes, apply Konad top coat. This kept my nail art immaculate (without any sign of tip wear) for several days. I love how this can withstand daily household chores, giving my son daily baths, and other mundane tasks that require using the hands. Also, the Seche Vite allows me to "erase" the image using a q-tip soaked in polish remover if I make a mistake and try again, without ruining the base color.

3 comments

Steph said...

wow those are really nice :) i just wish we had those here lol

cjbrownsc said...

Your nails look great! I bought some of those stamps for my daughter after your last post about them and she loves them. Can you tell me where you get the towelettes soaked in polish remover? Is this something that you do yourself, or can they be purchased like that? Thanks!

The Shades Of U said...

Steph- thanks! I heard you can get them at Shopwise. :)

cjrbrownsc- Thank you! The towelettes I mentioned were bought at Sally's, I have a picture of them here:

http://www.theshadesofu.com/2009/06/konad-nail-stamp-art-first-attempts-and.html

Glad your daughter loves them! I'm really enjoying Konad!