Der richtige Gel Pinsel – Darauf musst du achten!
22. January 2023
If you're new to the world of nail design or not specifically looking for a particular model, the sheer number of gel brushes available can be overwhelming. Which gel brush is right for me? You need to choose the appropriate brush depending on your needs and intended use. The material, shape, and price are crucial factors. We'll give you an overview and show you which gel brush is the right one for your nail design.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, the right gel brush is crucial for your results. You can be a master of your craft, but if your tools aren't right, you won't achieve perfect results. That might sound a bit strict, but the right gel brush shouldn't be too big, too wide, or too stiff. Finding the perfect brush in the vast world of gel brushes is a real feat.
Which is the right gel brush?
Brush for applying gel:
Let's start with the nail structure. For this, you'll need a flat brush, either square or round. The shape determines how easily you can use the brush. Make sure it's not too wide, otherwise you risk accidentally applying the gel over the edges of the nail. A brush size of 4 or 6 is ideal.
Never apply gel over the cuticle or nail fold to prevent lifting. You'll need to choose the appropriate brush depending on the width of your nail. If you're doing your own nails, a gel brush is sufficient. However, if you plan to do nails for clients, you should have at least two different brush sizes on hand.
Brush for the color gel:
Applying color gel follows the same rules as applying it with a gel brush. However, it's recommended to use a natural hair Kolinsky brush. This is much softer and allows for a richer application of the color gel. This results in fewer streaks and a more professional-looking finish. Depending on the manufacturer, some color gels are a bit more difficult to apply. If you apply the color gel too thinly with a stiff synthetic brush, you may need to apply three coats to achieve a satisfactory result.
While you can apply the color gel relatively close to the cuticle using a colored gel brush, to perfect the result it's worth refining the edges with a fine-liner brush. This allows you to correct any imperfections and work even closer to the nail edge. Even with this method, be careful not to touch the cuticle.
Use a separate brush for applying the color gel, not the one you use for sculpting. You can read why this is important a little further down.
Brushes for French manicures:
A perfect French manicure has a flawless smile line and is applied thinly to the nail fold. Various brushes are available to help you achieve a professional result. However, it depends on which type you prefer. Using a French brush is the easiest option. This type of brush has a slanted side, allowing you to perfectly draw the smile line depending on how you hold the brush. The longer side of the brush should always point towards the side of the nail fold.
Do you prefer to apply the French manicure using the dot-and-stroke technique? Then it's definitely recommended to use a thin fineliner. Make sure the fineliner has the optimal thickness—not too soft and not too hard. A Kolinsky fineliner is definitely the right choice here. Your hair should also be rather short, around 1 cm. This will allow you to draw the smile line more precisely and easily.
Choosing the right gel brush is a personal matter.
Finding the right gel brush always requires some trial and error. If you can assess your own experience and skill level beforehand, you'll find the right gel brush more quickly. Even the best gel brush isn't suitable for everyone. This is perfectly understandable, as every nail technician has their own personal preferences.
For this reason, there is a wide selection of different brushes available. However, the most important thing is that you know which brush to use when. Buy a separate brush for each step. For example, the brush for gel nail modeling should not also be used for colored gel. This creates the risk of color residue in the brush being transferred to the gel nail modeling.
One question remains: synthetic or natural hair brushes? It's quite clear that you can work more professionally with a natural hair brush, also known as a Kolinsky brush. Therefore, it's recommended to use a Kolinsky brush whenever possible. These are known for their long lifespan, high elasticity, and excellent color/product absorption. In the nail design industry, red sable hair is most commonly used for natural hair brushes.
Important: No animals are killed specifically for Kolinsky brushes; they are made from recycled materials! Therefore, a proper gel brush can certainly be made from real hair.
The right gel brush in a brush set?
Virtually every nail design shop offers various brush sets at attractive prices. These seem quite practical at first glance, as you don't have to search for each brush yourself. However, most sets include one or two brushes that you don't actually need.
A brush set is usually advantageous if you're new to the world of nail design and want to see if you even enjoy nail sculpting. If you still want to benefit from a set price, then check if you can combine individual brushes at a discounted price.
Often, the right gel brush isn't included in the set. So it's worth checking the contents of the brush set beforehand and comparing the brushes on the website. The wide price range isn't without reason; quality, as we know, comes at a price, and good brushes do cost a bit more.
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