How Pro Nail Brushes Are Made

Every time you create a stunning set of nails, there’s one tool quietly doing all the heavy lifting—your brush. It’s more than just something you hold in your hand; it’s your precision partner, your creative wand. But have you ever wondered what actually makes a great brush… well, great?

At Magnetic Nail Design, we don’t believe in shortcuts. We believe in quality, and our brushes reflect that commitment. A professional brush maker crafts each one—not by simply assembling parts, but by shaping every brush with their hands, their heart, and years of experience. When you hold a Magnetic brush, you’re holding something made with intention, skill, and a deep understanding of what we, as professionals, truly need.

From Loose Hair to the Brush You Can’t Live Without

It all starts with the hair. Whether it’s luxurious Kolinsky Sable or top-tier synthetic, we select every fibre for its softness, bounce, flexibility, and strength. These aren’t just fancy words—in fact, these traits make all the difference when you’re working with precision techniques, especially with acrylic or detailed nail art.

Next comes the part that always blows my mind: the brush maker weighs and aligns the hairs by hand. Yes, really. They don’t just measure them—they meticulously align each one. The bundle must be shaped perfectly depending on its purpose: flat, angled, or pointed. Even a tiny misalignment means they start over from scratch.

Once everything is aligned, the brush maker glues the ferrule to the handle and sets the hairs using Arabic gum. This final step locks in the shape and protects the brush on its way to you.

Why It Matters That They’re Handmade

Most brushes in our Magnetic collection are fully handmade and there’s a reason. It’s the only way to guarantee the kind of performance that professionals like us expect. Utility brushes, like those that go inside glue bottles, are produced mechanically. But the brushes we work with daily? They’re made by skilled hands, and it shows.

Many of our best brushes are made with Kolinsky Sable. Known worldwide for its amazing quality. These brushes cost more, but if you care for them, they’ll last you a very long time. Think of it as investing in your art.

Brush TLC: Simple Habits That Make a Big Difference

If you’ve invested in a good brush, don’t let bad habits ruin it. Here’s what I personally recommend:

• Clean your brush after every use.
• Use the right cleaner for the job:
  • Acrylic brushes: clean with fresh acrylic liquid (not used, cloudy one).
  • Gel brushes: use Gel Cleaner, 70% alcohol, or Prep & Wipe
  • Nail art brushes: gently clean with a base gel and dry wipe—never soak in acetone.
• After cleaning, always reshape the bristles.
• Keep gel brushes away from UV light, as it can cure the product in the hair.
• Store brushes flat or in a brush case/Click-On system never standing in a jar.
• Protect them from dust and debris.

Oops… Acrylic Cured in Your Brush? Here’s What to Do

It happens—we’ve all been there. If your acrylic brush has hardened product in it, act quickly:

1. Soak just the tip in pure acetone or clean acrylic liquid (don’t let it sit bristles-down—this destroys the shape).
2. Use a clothes peg or any clip to suspend the brush so the hairs hang freely in the acetone/liquid.
3. After 10–20 minutes, rinse it with clean acrylic liquid.

Think of the acetone like shampoo, and the monomer like conditioner—it softens and restores.

Here you will find a video on how to clean an acrylic brush.

But if gel cures in your brush… you can try to save it with the Gel Brush Cleaner

Storage Hack for Click-On Brushes

If you’re using our Click-On brushes (which I love!), always store them bristles-down when they’re not in use. This keeps any leftover liquid from sliding into the ferrule and damaging the brush from the inside out.

Your Brush = Your Magic Wand

A great brush is more than a tool, it’s an extension of your creativity. With a bit of daily care and the craftsmanship behind every Magnetic brush, you can trust that your tools will stay sharp, soft, and ready for whatever masterpiece you dream up next.

And if you have any questions you can email us at magneticireland@gmail.com