7 Different Types Of Nail Art Brushes That Anyone Can Try

Nail art is ruling the beauty industry today! And anyone can try it at home, but only if you have the right tools. Talking about the same, Jenna, a blogger shared her experience of using nail art brushes and how it makes the nail polish application process easy, smooth, and efficient for her. She said, “I think the easiest tool for nail art is a brush! Sure, you can use toothpicks/mechanical pencils but brushes will give you the best results. They also feel much more natural to use than bobby pins or whatever else you might use (i).” However, the blogger also emphasized the importance of cleaning and drying the nail brushes immediately after putting them to use as they can turn dry and clumpy due to the hardening of nail polish on them.

How to choose a good nail art brush? What are the different types of nail art brushes available? What are the things you should keep in mind while doing nail art? If you are confused with all these questions, we have your back. This article contains all the information you need to know about nail art brushes. Keep scrolling!

Nail Art Brushes

Nail art brushes come in 15 different interesting pieces and each set can be further divided into 7 parts. You can buy these brushes individually too depending on what you like to do. There are several factors to consider before investing in the brushes such as the brush type and material. High-quality brushes which are made from synthetic or natural fibers can improve your nail art experience. Keep reading to learn more about the different kinds of brushes and how they help to design your nails.

Keep In Mind

• Prep Your Nails: Thoroughly clean your nails, shape them to your desired length, and apply a base coat to protect your nails.
• Precautions: Clean your brushes after each use to prevent color mixing and avoid using acetone to clean your brushes as it can damage the bristles.
• Nail Care Tips: Regularly apply a cuticle oil or cream to keep your nails and cuticles hydrated. 
• Aftercare: Apply a top coat to seal in the nail art. Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to remove nail art without damaging your nails.

1. 3D Brush

The 3D brush, more specifically the acrylic brush (no. 02), is the most versatile and common nail art brush.

It is great for painting nails and can be used for creating intricate designs. It also helps in creating different strokes and patterns. These brushes also help in making 3D nail art using acrylic powder and monomer.

2. Striper/Liner Brush

This nail brush helps in creating stripes (long lines), striping stroke patterns, and plaid art (checks), and you can also use them to make animal patterns such as zebra or tiger prints.

You get straight lines with these brushes with ease, which makes them perfect for nail artistry. Your set may contain 3 of these brushes.

Quick Tip

A striper brush is also ideal for creating geometric designs and drag marbling. The long bristles help to reduce shakiness and create smooth lines.

3. Flat/Gel Brush

This brush is also known as a shader brush. These brushes help in creating long fluid strokes on the nails. It also helps in creating one stroke patterns, blending and shading. They are also helpful in doing gel nails. Your set may contain 2-3 sizes of this brush.

4. Angled Brush

This brush basically helps in one-stroke nail art flowers on the nail.

It is very easy to double-load the two different colors of nail polish while using it because of its angled bristles.

Quick Tip

Aside from designing, an angled brush can also be used to remove excess polish from the cuticles and sidewalls of the nails.

5. Fan Brush

A fan brush has many functions. It helps in shading, creating swirls, and sprinkling glitter. You can create beautiful stroke effects with this brush. It is also used in brushing off excess flocking powder or glitter too. If you are learning how to do nail art? Well, knowing about this brush can help you in the long run. Using it properly can help you get a more concentrated look. Just press the brush lightly against the nail with steady hands and you are good to go!

6. Detailing Brush

If you’re keen on exploring different nail art designs, this brush is your go-to tool. Its precision effect makes nail decoration a breeze, even for beginners. You can confidently create many masterpieces with this brush. It’s a must-have in your nail art tools stash and is just ideal for at-home manicure, making you feel capable and confident in your nail art journey!

7. Dotter

Your 15-piece nail art brush set should consist of one dotter tool too. It has a very small head tip which helps in creating many small dotted effects on the nails. For larger dots, you can use other bigger dotting tools that are available in the market.

Scroll down to learn easy and simple tips to clean and keep your nail art brushes in top-notch condition.

How To Clean Nail Art Brushes

• Cleaning Detail Art Brushes

1. Pour non-acetone polish remover into a small glass.
2. Dip the detail brush bristles into the remover and swish for 10 to 20 seconds.
3. Blot the brush bristles on a paper towel or cotton pad.
4. Brush cuticle oil onto the bristles to condition them.

• Using Alcohol To Clean Gel Brushes

1. Soak a cotton pad in isopropyl alcohol.
2. Wipe both sides of the gel brush on the pad after painting a few nails.
3. Wipe the handle of the brush with a soaked pad to remove stickiness.
4. Swish the bristles in isopropyl alcohol to deep clean your brushes once a day.
5. Put the cap on each brush before you store it horizontally.

• Maintaining Nail Art Brushes

1. Always store nail brushes horizontally after washing them to maintain the bristle shape.
2. Do not soak the brushes in the remover for longer than an hour to avoid damage of the material.
3. Always replace the brushes that show signs of wear or fraying.

Infographic: 5 Brushes For The Perfect Nail Art And How To Use Them

Nair art is a major trend these days, and the best thing is that it allows you to be creative with the designs. However, you need to have the right brushes at your disposal.
Check out the infographic below for 5 important brushes you will need for executing your flawless nail art aspirations.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials should I look for in nail art brushes?

You can go for any high-quality brush based on your requirement. Synthetic brushes are durable and easy to clean, while natural hair brushes offer easy paint application.

What can I use instead of nail art brushes?

You can use old eyeliner brushes and paint brushes instead of nail art brushes. You can also use a syringe glue applicator to add rhinestones or embellishments to your nails.

Which brushes are best for acrylic nails?

Acrylic brushes are the best for acrylic nails as their pointed tip allows precise application, offers a good control for a smooth finish and helps enhance its beauty.

How do I keep my acrylic nail brush from getting hard?

Your nail brush may go hard if acrylic is left to dry on it. So, thoroughly wipe your brushes with clean paper towels using the monomer liquid after every use to keep it from becoming hard. Make sure you do not dip your brush directly in monomer without wiping acrylic leftover from the brush as it can result in the acrylic drying up on your brush and hardening the bristles.

Illustration: Different Types Of Nail Art Brushes That Anyone Can Try

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the best acrylic nail brush for your needs! Learn about the best nail brush size and how to choose the right one in the following video.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Anuja SachdevaInternationally Certified Nail Master & Educator

     

Anuja Sachdeva is a celebrity nail artist, internationally certified nail master, and PMU artist with a demonstrated history of working in advertising, films, and commercials. She has over 4 years of experience and is also the founder of La Bella Nail Studio & Academy.

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Jyotsana RaoBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Jyotsana Rao is an engineering graduate from NIT, Nagpur, who discovered her love for writing during her undergraduate days. She is passionate about writing about everything related to beauty - makeup, fashion, hairstyles, skin care, or hair care and has 4 years of experience on writing in these genres.

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Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

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Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

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