A nail brush spreads gel or paint on the nail: flat and oval gel brushes lay down and level product, and thin liners and detail brushes paint lines and designs. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks single brushes, numbered series, double-ended brushes and sets from ONME, BW, Mr. Nail, YHH, AY and MNBS.
Types of nail brushes
| Type | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Gel and builder brushes | Applying base, colour and builder gel, and shaping an apex. | ONME Nail Gel Brush #1 to #8, ONME #8 Flat 9 mm, ONME #9 Round 9 mm, Premium Gel Brush Flat 11 mm |
| Liners and detail brushes | Fine lines, French tips, lettering and hand-painted art. | ONME #2 Nail Art Liner, BW Ins Blue series, BW Luxury series, Mr. Nail W501 to W508, AY Nail Art Brush |
| Double-ended brushes and sets | Starting a kit, or two heads on one handle at the station. | Brother set 6 pcs, BW set 3 pcs, BW Double Head Gel and Liner, BW Double Head Builder and Liner |
| Speciality brushes | Watercolour effects, soft blending and small details. | Watercolor Soft Brush, BW Small Sugar Bean series, YHH Nail Art Brush (Gold) |
How to choose a nail brush
- Flat or oval for gel. A flat brush gives a clean edge at the cuticle; an oval or round brush spreads builder gel and floats an apex more evenly.
- Length for liners. A longer liner holds more paint for long lines; a short one gives more control. The BW Ins Blue series has liners of 7, 9 and 12 mm.
- Series or set. A numbered series lets you buy only the shapes you use; a set gives a new tech every basic shape at once.
Related: Acrylic brushes, Builder gel, Nail art gel, Nail art tools, All nail art
Nail brush FAQ
What is the difference between a gel brush and a nail art liner?
A gel brush has a short, wide, firm head that lays down and levels base, colour and builder gel. A liner is long and thin, holds paint along its length and draws straight lines, stripes and fine detail.
Why does my gel brush get hard?
Gel left in the bristles cures under lamp light or daylight. Wipe the brush on a lint-free wipe after use, keep it capped and away from the lamp, and clean it with the brush cleaner or cleanser your gel brand recommends. Avoid soaking a brush in acetone unless its maker says that is safe.
Which brush is best for builder gel?
Most techs use an oval or flat-oval gel brush wide enough to move a bead of builder without streaks. A firmer head suits thick builder; a softer one suits self-levelling gel.
Order online for in-store pickup at our Markham, Ontario store, usually ready in 2 to 4 hours, or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada.