Nicole Valdez
Updated by Alyssa Bueno on November 25, 2024
What is a nail artist without their nail art brushes? You can't create countlessbeautifully designed nails without them. It's one of the reasons why you should invest in the best nail art brushes that can help you achieve masterpieces, making your clients fall head over heels with you as a nail tech.
Since nail tools are your bread and butter and nail art brushes are one of them, it only makes sense for you to take good care of them. Don't worry since we got you with our How to clean nail art brushes guide. Read on to find out more!
•Acrylic Or Dip Powder Use
For acrylic or dip powder use, clean your nail art brushes (especially Pure Kolinsky Brushes) with a monomer like Liquid Monomer EMA - 32 oz. Pour an appropriate amount of monomer into a Dappen Dish, then soak your brush in the monomer for a few minutes. Gently dab the brush against a lint-free towel or a paper towel to remove the acrylic, and keep repeating the steps until all particles are removed. To keep the bristles from drying, condition it with some cuticle or nourishing oil.
•Gel Use
Clear Gels Method:
Clear gels (Base Coat, Builder Gel, Sculpture Gel, and Top Coat) work well with cleaning nail brushes used for gel applications. Get a fair amount of your chosen clear gel with a clean tool and put the product on a paper towel or paint pallet. Swish your dirty brush through the dab of clear gel as it cleans off the paint, then gently wipe it with a lint-free towel. The clear gel will help maintain the form of the brush, but remember to cover the bristles with a brush cover after cleaning so they don’t risk curing/hardening from any light source.
Alcohol Method:
Another common method nail techs use to clean their nail brushes is dipping the brush into a bowl of 70% to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol. Scrap any remnants of the gel product against a clean paper towel, then repeat the process until the bristles look very clear. However, remember that alcohol could damage brushes with natural hairs or fibers, so it’s recommended that you check the kind of brush you are using.
•Lacquer Or Regular Polish Use
When dealing with brushes used with regular polishes or lacquers, it is known that acetone or non-acetone polish remover is the most effective way to remove them. However, it is only recommended for occasional use since it can potentially damage the bristles due to its chemical components (Note: Acetone must not be used for brushes with natural hairs/fibers). Start cleaning the brush by removing the excess polish with a lint-free wipe, then briefly dip and not oversoak the brush in your remover of choice. Alternatively, you may use 70% to 90% Isopropyl Alcohol which is a safer but more tedious option.
The placements of your UV/ LED nail lamps and any direct light source should be considered. Anything that comes into contact with the light will be affected. Make sure the brushes you're using aren't in the way of the lamps or hitting direct sunlight while you work. Any product left on your brushes will harden as soon as they come into contact with light, resulting in brush damage.
If the bristles of your nail art brushes are severely damaged, you may be able to save them by soaking them in boiling water.
Start by purchasing nail brush storage such as a container or a pouch (whichever you prefer) to keep them safe. Many brushes come with matching caps or small plastic tubes to protect the bristles from damage. Nail art brushes should be stored separately from your other supplies in a brush case or implement box to avoid damage to the bristles.
