Brush Care Advice

How to prepare brushes before first use.

 
All brushes during the manufacturing process have a "gum" type product put into the hairs to aid with shaping and also to protect the hairs till its used. This gum type product has to be fully removed before using the brush for the first time, if you do not remove this gum from your brushes it can cause discolouring of the product youre applying and cause the hairs on the brush to split down the middle. 
 
Firstly, take the protecive plastic sleeve off your new brush. Carefully "break" gum seal on your brush and then hold it up under a light, with your thumb and forefinger gently start to tease the hairs of your brush and you will see a fine "dust" coming out of the brush. This is the "gum" residue being removed, you must keep doing this untill there is no "dust" remaining. 
For larger brushes like the salon acrylic or salon gel brush, it can take quite a few minutes to get all the residue out of it, especially the acrylic brush as it has a large belly on it. To ensure all the residue is removed, also very gently use a blunt eneded metal tool ( like a marbelizing tool) to get right into the belly of the brush to loosen any remaining "gum". 
 
Once you are sure all the residue has been removed you can then continue with the advice below for individual preparation depending on what product/system you are going to use with your brush.
 
Also remeber that if you are going to use a brush with gel products (example) you can only then ever use that brush with gel type products, dont try and then use it with an acrylic paint etc as the brush will not work how you need it too. Buy a seperate brush for each product/system you need, i put a small piece of coloured tape around the bottom of the handle of any brushes that i have 2 of but i use for different systems. 
 
Example : Precision I Brush ( add coloured tape or similar) used with gels only 
                 Precision I Brush ( no tape) used with water based and acrylic paints only 
 
Never replace the plastic sleeve onto any brush that youve used with monomer as the monomer can melt the plastic and damge your brush.

Salon acrylic, 3d design I and II brushes.

These brushes are generally for use with the acrylic system but can also be used with other systems, just remember to have separate brushes for use with each system.

Once you have prepared your new brush you will now need to "soak" it monomer. Put a small amount of monomer into a dappen dish and dip your brush in and out of it until the brush has soaked up some monomer. Many nail techs put their brush in the dappen dish and leave it in there, we advise you not to do this as it can kink the hairs on the brush and cause damage. Whenever you're not using your brush ensure you replace the lid or put it away in a brush case, this will help prevent potential damage and any contamination from things like dust and oils. 

Never store your acrylic brushes upright either, have the hairs of the brush pointing down or lay your brushes flat, this will help prevent any remaining old monomer from sitting in the belly of your brush and causing contamination. 

 Always check your brush when you've finished your application to ensure no acrylic product is left in it, place your brush into your monomer and gently wipe and re shape it on paper towel before putting it away. If for any reason you do get any product stuck in your brush, it will of set hard so you will need to use a brush cleaner type product to be able to remove it. Most brush cleaners do have an acetone type product in them and this can dry the hairs of your brush, so we recommend that you only use these types of cleaners if absolutely necessary.

Salon gel, gel art and all other gel brushes.

Once you have prepared your new brush you will need to work in a small amount of clear gel. Place any clear builder type gel onto a sculpting form and work the clear gel into your brush. 

Also remember that gels are uv light cured so make sure you keep your brush away from your uv/led lamp whilst your working and away from any sunlight as this will cure any gel that remains in your brush. You can replace the plastic sleeve for gel brushes if needed or store in a brush case, this also prevents any fluff or dust contaminating your brushes. 

We also recommend not using any gel cleansers to clean your gel brushes as these brushes are made from natural hairs and the cleansers can dry the hairs out in your brush. We recommend that you use the method above of placing a small amount of clear gel on a form and clean your brush using this gel to get any remaining colour residual out of your brush.

Precision I, One stroke I & II and all other nail art brushes. 

Once you have prepared your new brush we recommend that you put a very small amount cuticle oil into the hairs, the oil with help condition the hairs of the brush, leave the oil in the brush hairs for a few minutes. Before you use your art brush with your acrylic or aqua paints use a baby wipe to gently clean your brush.

We also recommend that whenever you want to clean your brush between colour changes that you use baby wipes not water, constantly putting the brush into water to clean it can cause the hairs to dry out.

When you have finished your design or art work clean your brush with the baby wipe and then put a small drop of cuticle oil into the hairs and leave it in there till next use, just remember to gently wipe your brush on a baby wipe before using again.

You can replace the plastic sleeve for your art brushes if needed or store in a brush case, this also prevents any fluff or dust contaminating your brushes.

General advice

The majority of the Hazel Dixon brush range is made from natural hairs which we feel gives a smoother finish when working with your products and many other added benefits.

If you look after and care for your brush properly it should last you a long time. 

Using oil in your art brushes will help condition them and keep them nicer for longer, think of it like your own hair: you wash it and condition it to keep it in a good condition.