How do I go about painting symbols/ "Cutie marks"?

I'm wondering what paint to use to mimic G1 pony's symbols?

So far I've been using acrylic paint, and that's all I've seen recommended online. But acrylic paint just ends up looking like, well, paint. It doesn't have the smooth, flat, shiny look the original pony's symbols had.

I've heard people suggest using gloss over the top... but in my head that seems like it would bulk up the thickness of the symbol? Although I've never tried it.

Plastic paint comes to mind? Maybe? ... If I'm honest I know zilch about paint (I'm not crafty), but I'm a desperate perfectionist.

Also, do you have any tips in general about painting symbols, I'm a pony-loving, mediocre artist at best and I'll take any advice I can get. Such as, do you paint free hand, or make stencils? And how do you get the pictures to match up on both sides, just a lot of squinting and re-sketching like myself?

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I started customising these ponies when I was around 12, now I wish I'd just left them alone (Unfortunately, I can't turn back time). Recently I tried actually finishing them (and painted their symbols), but they've since been shoved to the back of my shelf because I can't get over how 'painted' they look. Since I don't think I could do a good job of restoring them to their former glory, I want to do right by them and make them into beautiful, convincing customs.

If anyone can offer any advice I'd be beyond grateful, thank you.

I'm no expert on symbol painting, but this hqg1c done by @WingsOfMasquerade shows how she paints on the symbols ( 10 minute mark).

I do think your symbols turned out great!    

YAIY!!! It's the dyeing vid which helped me learn how to dye!!!

I also want to know what HQG1C artists use to paint symbols onto ponies. Someone please tell us!

-Miss Peregrine XOXO