VAGA 10PC Nail Stamping Kit with 60 Designs - Perfect for Nail Art & Manicures

Awhile back Amazon gifted me with a $10 gift card. So when I started wanting some more nail plates, this seemed like the logical option to use it for. Ten plates for $7 or so? Win win for me. I knew I was taking a gamble by not having any idea of what the plates would be (since the image is just an example, something some reviewers don't seem to get), but sometimes you get the best stuff if someone else chooses for you.These took over a month to ship to the east coast, but again, I wasn't too worried since it was a gift card, so no real loss to me if they never came. They just came today and I'm in love. I've never used Cheeky before, but always heard good things about them.My plates came in a package with the stamper and scraper shown-no big since I have my own stamper and I find an old credit card works best to scrape. They all had the blue protective film on and came in a package, and I received 10 different plates. The sticker on the package says 2012 Collection Set of 13, though I only received ten plates. That's what I was expecting though, so no problem there (though I wouldn't complain if I got 3 extras). I'm assuming they're from Cheeky's 2012 collection, so if you're looking to see the potential images you get, check there. Or they could be completely random for each personI did a quick stamping with one of the plates and the images seemed to be etched on great, so no problems there.The images that I received are mostly full nail designs, which is great for any nail size. I didn't get any french tip designs, and a handful of tiny characters (one or two a plate). They're themed from animal prints, to geometric designs, a few star designs and one cool looking stars and wavy stripes images (hello July 4th!) bubbles, champagne bottles, and a few abstract designs as well.Overall, I'm really happy with this set and this gamble. Plus you can't beat the price! Just be aware that it doesn't ship from the US if you're from there, so it might take awhile, and there isn't any tracking for you to follow. But they got here, and a few days before the earliest estimated delivery at that!I had high expectations of these plates after reading a lot of good reviews. I feel they have both pros and cons.Pros10 plates of pretty good quality! I haven't tried Konad so I can't compare, but even with terrible drug store nail polishes I am getting some ok results. I would advise researching what brands are best for stamping and stick to those.It's a great place to start nail stamping. I've had a lot of fun with themI had heard people use an old library card for a scraper, but the one provided works better than anything so far.ConsImage size - my nails snap very easily. Bad genetics. Thus, they're not very long. I can stamp most of my nails, however, the thumbs give me issues. The stamps are not big enough to cover a whole short and stubby thumb nail. If you're hoping to do all the same design but with an accent nail on the ring finger, think again. Unless you're using one of the tiny decorative stamps, it ain't gonna happen.Variety - I was hoping for some floral swirly wirly patterns, vines, leaves etc There aren't any. It's all vary shaped splodges, animal fur, and geometric patterns. My tastes run on the feminine side, and I was hoping for something a little classy in there. I was disappointed. These stamps are fun, but I can't find anything a little elegant.Overall, I feel like there's room for improvement, but you get what you pay for. They are worth it!I only gave 3 stars because I did not receive the stamper and scraper with the kit as advertised. The plates are great though. I've tried at least 10 of the full nail patterns and they almost all come out wonderfully. However, I had to buy a separate stamper (I purchased a Konad, which is GREAT), in order to use the plates, so I cannot say how well the stamper with the kit would work. I did receive more than 10 plates, but a couple were duplicates so I'm glad I had the extra. They have a nice selection of patterns as well. They are very sturdy and the patterns come out really nice, even with cheap nail polish.I guess they are inconsistent with providing the stamper and scraper. I have seen posts from this same month that say they did not get a stamper but I did get one with my order. Personally I like the Konad double sided stamper better (allows you to do more of a rolling action which is good for beginners). As for the plates, there have really cute designs on them. However, you won't get as clear an image as the Konad plates. Also, be careful because these plates are thin and I have seen reviews saying that people have cut themselves. I can see that happening as they are sharp. Overall, the price cannot be beat if you want a lot of cute designs.To start off they sent me 4 extra image plates which was a very nice surprise! The first plate I used worked perfectly, it was my first time with the Konad Stamper so besides human error everything went great. The next time I used it the image I selected would not transfer. It wouldn't even show up on the stamper correctly. I think that it was not etched deep enough.. But since I got extra plates I wouldn't consider this is issue. I wanted a cheaper set than the $20+ ones to try before I committed to this and these ones were great for that. My next purchase will definitely be a more expensive set of plates though!Originally bought for the scraper and stamper but ended up no liking either. The scraper edge is way to small and I have to scrap twice to get the whole print and the stamper handle is really short so its kinda awkward to hold. Love the plates! Its a great selection of full nail and small single prints! Overall very happy and shipping wasn't bad considering it was from I think china and I live in rural ohioI forgot i ordered these so they were a nice suprise. I didn't realise they would come with a stamper and scraper too, both of which are great to use.The patterns were a random set of 10 but I really like them all. I had some which were smaller and more specific like fruit or flowers and otheres which are a larger design and are either waves, stripes, or heart patterns intended to cover the whole nail. Brilliant set!The delivery took a while but I chose the one that came directly from china so I expected that they arrived in their own lttle pouch with a FREE stamper and scraper which i was very happy for you can never have enough. All 10 plates had the protective blue film on. I have used about half of the plates now and they have all been fantastic no problems with transfer and I can't fault these plates at all.Great items and do work well . I would have rated it higher of I didn't have to wait 4 weeks for it to be delivered, I hadn't spotted that it was coming from abroad when I placed the order. So if you are not in a hurry for these then go ahead and order as they are very good quality.When I first opened the package I was surprised to see that the items were different from what was advertised in the pictured, but proceeded anyways as I still received 10 plates, a black (not pink) stamper and scraper which had me wondering, maybe I was not sent the actual Cheeky set.Unfortunately, it simply did not work. The etchings are nowhere near deep enough so you scrape off the design. The stamper works well, but that does not compensate for the 10 plates that are pretty much useless. So, I have effectively paid for a stamper. Very disappointed.Plates - fantastic product quality. Recommend to try it if you like nail art. So easy and beautiful to create absolutely perfect nails. I did not try the stamp and the second instrument (bought the proper ones) so I could not say anything about them. But plates are wonderful! love it love it love it!!!!