I received those awesome Gear studs from Born Pretty Store for review, item #22914.
They came in a wheel - Three designs in gold and silver color, and I used only silver today. All studs are slightly curved so they would fit better on the nail when applied.
On my pinky and ring I have Seche - Smokey as a base, and I also used it for stamping on other nails. On them, base is Essie - Chinchilly.
Images are from BM-415 plate, and Born Pretty just came out with steam punk plate of their own, and I am itching to have it.
I matted first three digits, and then using clear top coat to adhere studs to the nail. This may not be recommended method, but it is what I have done here. I added some matte top coat around edges with my dotting tool, so I would not catch onto anything with them. This crazy method of mine seem to work pretty good, because this survived night, I showered, and put up eight hours of work and all of those are attached. I am really fortunate to work at the place where this is not frown upon.
I always loved steam punk style of manicure, and I really love those studs. Only thing I wish is - that they came up with more sizes. You never know, maybe soon they will came up with more sizes for people like me.
For the longest time I was debating on taking apart one of my old watches to get to the gears, and I am so glad that I can say that no actual watches are harmed for making of this manicure. :D