Let's talk brushes, shall we?

Brushes come in a range of materials like nylon, fibre and pure kolinsky hair.

Their handles can be wood, plastic, aluminium and maybe more.

But how do we care for them?

Your gel art brushes

Number one rule:

Never clean your brushes in acetone.

Acetone melts your bristles and dries them out fraying them to the nethers.

Only ever use base gel to clean your brushes or you can use monomer. Monomer is a conditioner. An oily one at that. Perfect for caring for your brushes, conditioning them and cleaning out gel or acrylic.

Check out our 5 piece dinglehopper brush set with dotting tools

Your acrylic brushes

Number one rule:

It's like the movie quote, "what happens in fight club, stays in fight club".

Don't clean your brushes with acetone.

It's terrible for your kolinsky haired brushes, please don't drown them in this.

Only use monomer to clean and condition your beautiful pure hair kolinsky brushes check out our Acrylic Kolinsky Dinglehopper brush 

Have acrylic stuck in the hairs?

Remember to clean your brushes properly after use.

Remember to dip, place bead and wipe your brush clean..repeat. this is the easiest way to ensure your brush is clean and you don't get that horrible acrylic mess in your brush.

Oh no, not our babies! We must look after them. Once you are finished you can wipe them clean, or soak them in monomer for a minute to remove any acrylic and wipe again on clean paper towel. Be sure to check It's got no crystals hiding in there as this will harden and ruin your brushes. Make sure you store them with the cap on and the ferrule downwards.

What is a ferrule you ask?

Its the brush head. If you store it upright, your left over monomer that keeps your bristles in shape and moist will run down inside the handle. Whether it is wood, aluminium or plastic...you don't want this. It will ruin the handle. So be kind and store them with the cap on and upside down.

But what about those clear caps on the brush when it's new? You know, the ones that look like a protector?

Well, it's just that. Its a bristle protector that keeps it in it's perfect shape. Make sure you carefully guide your brush head into this and gently place the cap on.

My brush hairs have spread and frayed and wont stay together, what do i do?

Well, you can fix this easily. Next time you boil the kettle for your cuppa, have a spare mug and pour some hot water into it for your brush.

Dip your brush into the hot water for a few seconds and train the hairs with your fingers carefully back into shape. You may need to soak it for 30 seconds to a minute. (it will be hot so be sure to have a tea towel handy..we don't want anyone to burn themselves). 

Remember to squeegee the water out gently, once hairs are back in shape, dip into monomer, remove excess and store your brush.

Voila! You're now a brush care pro! Congrats