BRUSH CARE
Tip Of The Week #4
By Vicki Peters

Everyone experiences bad hair days, bristles falling out or acrylic stuck in
their application brushes. There are some things you can do to prevent
this from happening and hopefully these tips can help.

On going Brush Care
Wipe in-between, after and before and all the time.
I find that I waste more liquid than use sometimes keeping my brush in shape
as I use it because I constantly re-dip into the liquid and wipe the brush
out to keep my point and shape as I work.

I dip my brush into the liquid then wipe it against a dappan dish that is
firmly on the table so I can press against the inside of the dish without the
dish moving. Then I twirl the tip on my table towel to bring it back to a
point. When doing so wipe the tip and reshape without wiping all the liquid
out of the brush. Wipe the brush gently instead of bending the bristles at
the feral beating it up on the table towel. I find most techs do not care
for their brush as gently as I do and I end up replacing my brush less often
because of it.

Application Stickies
Another little thing I do when applying the white tip product to my nails
(most white powder tends to be sticky when first applied). So I dip the brush
into the liquid, saturate the brush and wipe it completely out, then re-dip
it to the liquid I do want. Pick up the white tip powder and drop it on the
tip of the nail. Then wipe your brush gently without wiping all the liquid
out and bring the brush back to its original shape. While your doing this
the product has set up a speck and is not as sticky so you don't have to make
a mess as you press it into place.

Digging right into freshly applied acrylic when it is still sticky will only
smoosh the acrylic into the brush and if you keep working the acrylic is
drying in the brush and then you can't get it out and can't make a smooth
nails because there is dry acrylic in it.

When you put the brush away
If you do not wipe your brush well and put it away the acrylic will dry into
the tips. If this is the case do not comb out the dry acrylic with your
cuticle pusher or orangewood stick or nippers, you will only break the hairs
and you won't like the brush anymore. Get a shot glass or a slammer glass
for those who have never been to Mexico and don't know what a slammer is it
is a taller shot glass. Suspend the brush with a clothespin. Fill the glass
with enough liquid to cover the bristles without touching the bottom of the
glass. Let it set for about 30 - 60 minutes and the dried acrylic will
eventually melt out of the brush.

There are lots of brush cleaners on the market but I feel they can be harsh
and disturb the chemical balance of the liquid. I do not believe you should
soak them in acetone either and some brush cleaners have acetone in them.
Use liquid monomer to soak the brushes if needed. Remember the hairs in the
brush is made from the same animals fur coats are made from and you would not
soak your fur coat in acetone would you. Now don't slam me about fur coats
ok??? (I don't own one for a reason.)

Traveling with your brush
I found a silver metal flat brush case for $8 at the art store that stores
brushed without moving perfectly. It has two springs one at each end for the
brush to fit in so they won't move when traveling. The box is about 3/4" by
8' by 4" can fit up to 8 brushes, won't bend and is not plastic so it won't
melt if the brushes happen to touch the metal. I have not ruined a brush yet
in the box.

If your booked and work full time you will probably replace your brush every
couple of months if you take good care of it. Brushes can cost anywhere from
$10 to $45 or more. The average brush cost is about $25. You get what you
pay for that is for sure. There are only two or three true brush
manufacturers that make brushes for companies in the nail business. Shop
around and try new brushes all the time.

Brush care is a constant thing, take good care of your brushes as you work
with them and always have a spare just in case your having a bad hair day!

Vicki
The Peters Perspective
"When you stop learning your career ends and your job begins"