Messy Mansion Stamping: Koi Fish & Water Nails
The coy fish on the middle finger was creating using the stamping decal methodology. This was my first successful decal, but it took me a few tries before getting it right. I’m learning that the key to making decals is having patience, something that I lack. I applied a regular nail polish base coat (Seche Vite) onto a plastic baggie. After it dried I stamped the fish image onto it and colored it in with a couple of Kleancolor polishes, Metallic Yellow and Metallic Mango. After letting the decal sit overnight to dry, I lifted it off of the baggie and cut it out with scissors. I painted a fresh coat of seche vite over my nail and pressed the decal onto the nail until I got it to lay flat. I cleaned up the edges with polish remover and let the polish dry completely before finishing off with one layer of gel top coat. I see more decals in my future! Keep in mind when you’re using regular nail polish with gel polish that you have to let it dry completely before applying gel over top.
Here’s what the MM29 stamping plate looks like. I can’t wait to use the image in the center of the plate for some nail art.
Gorgeous & your decal is awesome!
I got some more plates and I’m keen to try this decal technique! It’s only nail polish, after all, and mistakes clean off the gel polish so easily.
This looks so beautiful, just gorgeous! I don’t know where you find the ingenuity, patience, and time to do all of these things. Or the manual dexterity, which I totally lack!
Did you know that you can also get water decal paper for nails that you print designs on with your printer (inkjet or laser)? I would love to see how you use that, too.
Thanks. I’ve heard about printing your own decals, but haven’t tried it.
Ok I was wondering if any regular nail polish will work with these stamping/decals, you mentioned Seche Vite is that the best or will any do? Thank you for sharing all you tips and tricks.
I’m not sure what is the best. I used Seche Vite for this since I know it’s a fast drying top coat, but I’m sure there are others that may work better. I haven’t experimented much with other brands yet.
Is a beautiful mani! I Love the coy fish
Fantastic mani. I love the coy and also the water effect of the metallic aqua, Which stamp did you use for this?
The water is the top image shown on the MM29 plate.
Thanks Andrea.
I will have to get this plate as I love the water effect.
I have only just started with gelish since the New Year. Now I have caught the bug from watching your demos, they are great.
I just got a silicone baking mat to do decals on. This is very pretty!
Love Messy Mansion plates! I love how they are wide enough for my thumbs. I hadn’t gotten this one yet, but love your decal…it might be in my future.
Really spectacular use of the plate. But I believe it’s spelled koi, not coy.
Thanks, you are right! I’m surprised no one else pointed that out yet :) I’ll correct the spelling now.
Your nails look so beautiful!
I love how all these different colors match together. :)
xx julia
Hi Andrea, have you tried to put a gel top coat (instead of Seche Vite) on your gel nail, stick a decal to it and cure under led light? Will a gel base/top work instead of a regular topcoat? I’m afraid I may scratch or dent a decal while waiting for a nail to completely dry.
I haven’t tried it. I think this mani was the one and only time I have ever tried making a decal :)