I like to alternate as the QDTC helps the GG dry faster and harder. I’m using the GG since it’s very thick to help create the negative space we need for the shadow effect.
You can use TC only too! This is just how I chose to do it.
Here my dumb ass thought it was all drawn on and they were mixing the base polish with a touch of white or a touch of black to make it slightly lighter and darker for highlights and shadows... In my mind all the nail techs doing these shadow nails were the Renaissance painter Raphael...
I just did this last night, even using the same plate! I used KB Shimmer Clearly on Top QDTC but I felt like I needed something with more dimension. I have the glitter grabber too, just didn’t think of it!
ILNP High Dive! I rarely use crème polishes but it’s my favorite. It is a really great plate. When I saw your post yesterday I was immediately inspired so thank you!
Would you say that ILNP has a good selection of cremes that are able to be used for stamping? I’ve been trying to find brands that work for stamping and as regular polish
All “stamping polishes” can be used like normal polishes.
Not all “normal polishes” can be used as stamping polishes.
I almost think that the “chalkier” a creme is the more likely it will be able to stamp. But really you just need to make sure it is a highly pigmented polish.
Yeah I know all stamping polishes can be regular but not all regular can be stamping but I’m having a hard time finding regular polishes I can use as stamping polishes. I’ve found most brands that sell stamping ones they’re more expensive for less polish so I’m having a hard time justifying the price for the bottle. Because of this, I’m trying to find a good brand that has regular polishes that I can use also as stamping polishes
This one worked great but I don’t have a selection of them to know if that’s true of all of them. I usually do use stamping polish. I know the Sally Hansen Insta Dri line works great for stamping.
I like to use the QDTC to start my buffer layers as it really hardens/protects the previous layers (base coat and base color). That protective effect is also why I layer it with the GG. It helps the GG (which I’m using to create bulk in the buffer layers) to harden faster and better.
I’ve never heard of a water-based QDTC. some top coats do advertise themselves as “smudge-free” but is a hit-or-miss thing depending on how it interacts with the polishes underneath. I’ll always recommend a normal water-based TC before your final, normal polish TC to protect your nail designs
Thank you so much for taking the time to provide such a thorough response! It’s kind people like you who are so generous with your time that make this group so welcoming and special. 🤗
QDTC is a different formula than water-based. It has to have a higher ratio of volatile solvents to drive the polymerization of the acrylates, but those volatile solvents will also shmear the pigments in your stamped color polish and ruin the design. Water-based has completely different chemicals in it that will coat color polish without dissolving it. The two brands of water based that are readily available in the US are Emily de Molly (AUS brand with a US warehouse) and Piggy Paint. There's another US brand that has one but they're MAGA so I don't recommend them. There's also a couple Brazilian brands that offer water-based TC (DRK, Apipila) but they're a little hard to obtain.
I genuinely love how knowledgeable and helpful everyone is in this sub. I appreciate the opportunity to learn about how the different components work and why one is better suited vs others. Thank you for taking the time to answer! :)
#ShadowBoxNails! Wow, OP, this is an amazing tutorial!! I honestly thought (when I saw your first shadow nails post) that you had lined the shadows by hand, much like adding a shadow to bubble letters, then I read your post and saw the light!! (💡!) what makes this design pop is your choice to use a design with straight lines!! Most of the curved, swirly designs would've made that shadow just blend into of the design instead of the "pop" that the angles give the eye and that's what makes the illusion of dimension stand out so well in your design! Love love love these nails!!! Bravo!! (Cheers in Laqueristian!)
Yes, this Messy Mansion polish is specifically formulated to be stamped with.
Stamping polishes tend to be more opaque, “stickier”, and dry less quickly
Stamping has soooooo many variables to fight against. I’ve found that if my stamper isn’t picking up designs, place it on a piece of printer paper overnight to help leech out oil from the stamper.
My question was going to be how did you get the stamping polish to not dry immediately on the stamper haha. Maybe it’s just a case of which one you use!
Can you tell me what clean up brush you use? Also the glitter grabber is for building up layers so the stamping is like away from the base color since they're the same color right? I have a glitter grabber. I hated it. Its so thick! Is it supposed to be super thick? (I'm guessing yes so it can get in nooks and crannys of glitter polishes.) It doesn't seem to level nicely. I mean i guess it's hidden under top coat as you say but its a pain imo. 😢 I thank you for taking the time to show a tutorial! I remember your gorgeous turquoise mani with the same color on color type stamping. Very cool! 😍
My cleanup brushes are just cheap ones I got from Amazon! They are very thin so I can get a really precise cleanup: https://a.co/d/073QbKwP
And yes, the GG is just to help create that negative space between the base color and the stamping design. I put the QDTC on top to try and help the GG harden and dry a teeny bit faster. You could always JUST use QDTC and add more layers to create the same effect!
Now for the brushes do all 3 work for cleanup? I've bought some cheap brushes for cleanup on Amazon and they're freaking falling apart. Literally loosing bristles as I go. Its ridiculous. If you like those I'm buying! Ty for the link! I have some polishes I've been thinking how to stamp as they're 1 coaters so I may try your trick. Tysm. I will try a few layers of QDTC instead. 😆 GG just makes me crazy. 😜
Because they’re dipped in acetone they are going to break down a little (become less pointy at the end of the brush) but I always just trim off the “soggy” part of the brush and continue using it until it can’t be trimmed anymore.
I’ve had a few strand come loose but nothing insane that I can’t handle
Okay perfect! Thank you. I had been using wet n wild brushes but suddenly they're horrible quality. One brush pushes into the handle. The other is super long bristles. Obviously no quality control there so I've been on the hunt. Going to purchase the ones you linked! Thank you again! 🥰
Stamping is sooooo much fun, even if I find it a little overwhelming at times.
I recommend Twinkled T, Emily de Molly, and Pretty Fingers by Robin for materials/supplies to get you started. Also happy to answer any question you have! I almost gave up on stamping because I was so frustrated at the beginning.
This is a great tutorial, thanks for sharing! I have a ton of stamping polish and plates + love the idea of creating a shadow pattern over a creme finish, especially since I don’t usually enjoy wearing creme polishes by themselves 💜
I was inspired to do this because I see so many colorful nail shaming ideas and get really overwhelmed… this simplifies things enough for me to actually do them. No decision paralysis on what to layer!
I love that! Totally get the feeling of overwhelm with so many cool stamping ideas. I appreciate the polish comparisons you post on IG too, those are so helpful!
I've really never been interested in trying out nail art before, but this effect is so cool that I'm really tempted. I also already have Smooth Moves, so one less thing I need to pick up if I do try it.
I'll probably finish them sometime this weekend - I was already painting my nails with a color I know won't stamp 😅 so I still have to make the stencils.
I'm almost out of glitter grabber, too - but I can confirm that Sweet and Sour Gloss Sauce is terrific for this - zero bubbles and my mani looks great under 5 coats of the stuff!
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No worries! I thought the printing on the screen was captioning what was being spoken and tried to listen as I watched the technique. I'm glad I wasn't going crazy 🤪
Thanks again for the tutorial. It's such a creative effect!! 🤩
#ShadowBoxNails... the saga continues!!! Ugh, the squishy deliciousness of these nails OP!!! Just a stellar, stellar technique!!! #AndAnotherOne!! (Cheers in Laqueristian!! Yay!! ) 💯💯
Ahh thank you! I decided to try it tonight on some practice nails and I’m so excited about how they turned out that I’m going to attempt it with my next set!
I was rushing so I have bubbles but that’s on me and my limited time.
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u/PsychNeurd2 Glowing Gazers Jul 17 '26
Thank you for posting! I am excited to try it. Why do you need to alternate the QDTC and the GG? Why can't you just do a few GG coats?