Whether you’re a professional nail artist or just love doing creative nails at home, using the right nail art brush makes all the difference between good and gorgeous. From creating crisp lines to blending dreamy gradients each brush has its own charm and purpose.
Here’s your complete guide to the most popular nail art brushes and how to use them like a pro!
1: Kolinsky Hair Brush N°0
🖌️ Brush Type: Kolinsky Hair Brush N°0 / Long Liner Brush
🔍 Features:
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Long, thin bristles
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Extremely fine tip
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Perfect for high-precision line work
🎨 Best Used For:
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Long straight lines and stripes
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Swirls, waves, and geometric patterns
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Outlining and fine detailing
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Signature gold or chrome accent lines
💡 How to Use:
Dip the brush lightly in gel or paint, remove excess product, and glide in a single smooth motion for perfect, continuous lines.
🌟 Pro Tip:
Anchor your hand on a table for steady control. Always clean your brush between colors to keep your lines crisp and clean.
2: Chinese Paint Small Oblique
🖌️ Brush Type: Chinese Paint Small Oblique / Angular Gel Brush
🎨 Best For:
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French tips – Perfect angled swipe for clean smile lines
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Ombre & gradient effects – Blending two colors smoothly
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Cuticle cleanup – Precise edge cleaning with acetone
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3D or one-stroke art – Petals, leaves, and sharp shapes
🔍 Shape Features:
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Flat bristles cut diagonally
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Sharp angle for corner control
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Ideal for both gel and acrylic work
💡 How to Use:
Hold the brush at a 45° angle and gently glide along the nail for clean edges or color transitions. Wipe frequently during use for crisp blending.
3: Gelpinsel No 4
🖌️ Brush Type:
Gelpinsel No 4 / Round Gel Brush
🎨 Best For:
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Applying gel polish evenly
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Smoothing builder gel or polygel
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Creating petals & floral art
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Blending and shading
✨ Key Features:
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Rounded tip for smooth control
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Ideal for full coverage
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Comes with a protective cap
💡 How to Use:
Use gentle, circular strokes to apply gel smoothly over the nail. Clean with gel cleanser after each use and store with cap to maintain bristle shape.
4: Kolinsky HAIR Brush N°00
🖌️ Brush Type:
Kolinsky Liner Brush No. 00 (Ultra-Fine Detail Brush)
🎨 Best For:
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Ultra-thin lines and micro detailing
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Swirls, lettering, outlines
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Precision art with gel or acrylic paint
🔍 Why Kolinsky Hair:
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Made from natural Kolinsky sable
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Excellent spring & control
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Preferred by professionals
💡 How to Use:
Dip into gel or acrylic paint, and use delicate, short strokes for precise details. Clean immediately after use with brush cleaner or monomer.
5: Nail Art Long
🖌️ Brush Type:
Long Nail Art Liner Brush (Striping Brush)
🎨 Best For:
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Long straight lines
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Swirls, waves & outlines
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French tips & fine details
📏 Key Feature:
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Extra-long bristles for line control
💡 How to Use:
Load the brush evenly with gel paint, then pull smooth, even lines across the nail in one motion. Rotate slightly between strokes to maintain bristle shape.
6: Gel Liner 2
🖌️ Brush Type:
Gel Liner Brush Set (Liner 2 Series) – White Handle Collection
🎨 Best For:
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Ultra-fine gel lines & striping
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Swirls, calligraphy & chrome detailing
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Gel polish designs
✨ Key Features:
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Thin precision tips
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Comfortable white handles
💡 How to Use:
Use a small amount of gel paint, anchor your hand for stability, and drag gently to create clean, consistent lines. Wipe bristles after each use.
7: Gel New
🖌️ Brush Type:
Gel New Brush (Gel Detail Brush)
🎨 Best For:
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Applying gel precisely
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Creating petals & 3D gel art
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Shading and small blending
✨ Key Features:
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Pointed tip for precision
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Smooth synthetic bristles
💡 How to Use:
Use gentle tapping or swirling motions to shape gel art. Clean immediately with gel cleanser and reshape tip before storage.
8: Comb Brush
🖌️ Brush Type:
Comb Brush / Fan Fringe Brush
🎨 Best For:
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Feather, grass, or fur textures
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Multi-line striping
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Glitter or pigment streaks
✨ Key Features:
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Split bristles like a comb
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Creates multiple lines in one stroke
💡 How to Use:
Dip lightly into polish or glitter gel and sweep across the nail to create texture. Wipe clean after every color to prevent clumping.
9: Aquarell Brush
🖌️ Brush Type:
Aquarelle Brush (Watercolor Nail Art Brush)
🎨 Best For:
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Watercolor-style nail art
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Blending soft gel colors
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Marble & smoky effects
✨ Key Features:
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Soft, flexible bristles
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Perfect for artistic gradients
💡 How to Use:
Use with diluted gel or watercolor polish. Apply in light layers, blending softly with gentle strokes. Clean with water or mild cleanser.
10: Trapeze Brush Big
🖌️ Brush Type:
Trapeze Brush (Large Angled Art Brush)
🎨 Best For:
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Bold French tips
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Wide color application
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Petals, leaves & diagonal art
✨ Key Features:
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Wide angled bristles (trapezoid shape)
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Ideal for large nail surfaces
💡 How to Use:
Use firm pressure for full-color coverage or angled sweeps for bold French lines. Clean bristles immediately after each use to retain shape.
Choosing the right brush transforms your nail art from simple to stunning. Each brush in your collection serves a special purpose — from creating fine metallic lines to painting soft watercolor flowers.
