Discover Clean Up Brushes: Usage, Care Tips, and Product Comparisons!

[@mnn-np5li]

I love how honest and realistic you are…reminding us it will take practice and we won’t get it at first.

[@PolishLabRat]

Glad it helps! I rather u guys have realistic expectations which allows u a grace period of practice, then u won’t give up! :)

[@apriloviedo3348]

I loved that you choose black! And that it’s messy! That’s very realistic! This was seriously very helpful!!!!!

[@PolishLabRat]

Glad to hear that! 🖤☺️

[@dcher3868]

Best clean up video I’ve ever seen.

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank you! ❤️☺️

[@danniparis8898]

thanks for this informative video, and for actually showing us how to do it.

[@PolishLabRat]

Np!! Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching! ☺️😍

[@Ann-ec6uu]

This was so helpful, thank you! Now I know I need to try a thinner brush so I don't take off too much polish. I'm motivated to give clean up with a brush another go 😊

[@PolishLabRat]

Good luck! Haha let me know how it goes 🥰

[@cartermrc]

I use a slanted eyeshadow brush. It's short and stiff and works great.

[@PolishLabRat]

Ahhh yeah! Nice!! (I’m curious to know if it lasts well with remover, since it’s prob not designed to be used with remover), that happens to my ELF. But I mean for the price, it’s ok if it frays a lil sooner than nail brushes 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣

[@cami-mani]

Great and informative tutorial! I have the ELF brush but will get a thinner brush to try it. Woo, that black polish was a mess but you put it in check cleaning around your cuticles, lol! Also thanks for the tip to use cuticle oil on the bristles. TFS!

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah! It helps keep the bristles soft ☺️ and yeah, I suffered thru those messes but I survived lmao.

[@sacralyogigoddess]

Extremely helpful! I knew I just needed to experiment with different brushes cuz I haven't found the right one(s) yet.

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah, def! once you find the one you like, u'll know!

[@JSNails89]

Such a relaxing and informative video! I have used liner brushes in the past but probably will upgrade after seeing this vid.

[@PolishLabRat]

Which one have you used in the past? And thank you for watching! ❤️

[@JSNails89]

@@PolishLabRat I believe it was an eco tools liner brush.

[@PolishLabRat]

I love Eco Tools haha (I have those for make up, never used them for any nail stuff)

[@tinamarieba3898]

Hello, I’m new to your channel and enjoy your videos. I’m wondering if you perform Brazilian manicures. I’m learning to give myself this type of manicure. No one shows if you have to soak your nails first. Do we soak? Also, why do the technicians put on 2 types of cuticle cream?

[@PolishLabRat]

I have a video where I compare the Brazilian painting style against the American, but i don’t have content on the whole Brazilian manicure process. It would take too long to explain on a comment and probably I couldn’t explain it with text properly anyway hahaha

[@tinamarieba3898]

@@PolishLabRat Thank you! I found that video after I sent you the message. Lol I’ve now moved on to more of your videos.

[@PolishLabRat]

Haha thanks for watching!

[@MainelySusieQ]

Great video, very informative, especially about placing the brush against your skin to guide it! And using cuticle oil on your brushes! Definitely checking out the thinner brushes that you use! Thank you so much for the information and tutorial! I love your swatch videos too!

[@PolishLabRat]

I'm very glad this helped Kim! Thanks for watching :)

[@annab.haynes5435]

This tutorial was so good, detailed, concise, real and honest! I now subscribe to your channel!

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank you Anna! 💕 welcome!

[@JENMG7]

Wow thank you for this video!!! I’ve been struggling with my brush because I definitely need a thinner one. Thanks for providing options too!

[@PolishLabRat]

Awesome! So glad it helped! (I’m trying others so I will let u guys know as I find more options ☺️)

[@apaintedQueen]

Larissa....i also use a wood stick, the slanted edge....dip it in remover for around the cuticle and stuff too!!! Its a goodie too!! Lol

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah, I used to use a wooden stick covered in a thin layer of cotton, and dip that in remover. That's what I always used before I discovered clean up brushes. Sometimes, when I get some polish that happens to dry on me and it's stubborn, I still do that since the wooden stick provides more force than a brush. It's a good trick to have for sure! :)

[@sMak06]

Thank you so much for sharing your tips !! Learned a lot and love your Instagram and KZbin posts. Very helpful.

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank you!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@leahchase3699]

I’m always looking for super thin brushes for cleanup! Thanks so much. I purchased a couple of your recommendations, and excited for them to arrive soon!

[@PolishLabRat]

Let me know how it goes! 🥰💕

[@leahchase3699]

@@PolishLabRat I tried the angled Dimensions one and wish I’d also gotten the flat one! 😂 It’s awesomely thin at the edge and fairly firm even when wet with acetone! I do have a thin, sort of soft flat brush I used in a couple specific spots (first time I tried it - didn’t remember I had it lol), which is why I wish I’d gotten the flat one from Dimensions, too! I’d say it’s the density for some firmness along with the edge thinness that is AWESOME!

[@marypeterson9515]

Hi Larissa! Thank you so much for this videos. I really enjoy your down to earth, no nonsense tutorials. Between Mitty and Dimension brushes, which one has better quality/ precision? Would love to hear your recommendation! :)

[@PolishLabRat]

Between those two, I would say get whichever is cheaper at the moment. I would say they are comparable as far as clean up brushes are concerned. Tysm! :)

[@odijk9196]

I’ve been struggling with how to clean up after i painted my nails for a long time! Thank you very much for the useful tutorial!! I do have a question though. In your video you showed your middle finger where it flooded into your cuticle. How can you clean that up? I mean the residu after you used your brush.

[@PolishLabRat]

I dont know exactly what you mean and dont remember what I did in this video haha if u have me on IG can u DM me, so I can help u properly? Comment section is not great for back and forth communication 💕 (I lose some notifications)

[@lydiajohnson1811]

Best tutorial I’ve seen. So glad I came across your Instagram page.

[@PolishLabRat]

Thank you so much Lydia!!!!

[@diamond714]

I ordered the Dimension Nails clean up brush and it’s great! Thanks for the coupon code!😍

[@PolishLabRat]

So glad you are enjoying it!!

[@coquinat]

Yes!! Good Monday morning to you! Love your videos

[@PolishLabRat]

Good morning!! And thank u so much! ❤️

[@karac.a.]

Thank you so much! This was the most helpful video. Also you are so beautiful! Your facial structure reminds me of Jennifer Lopez when she was younger. ❤

[@PolishLabRat]

I'll take it hahahaha :D ty!

[@nlorena]

Excellent video! Sooo much valuable info. Thank you 🙌🏼♥️

[@PolishLabRat]

You are welcome and thank U for watching 😝

[@quantquill]

Love this video! Thank you for sharing -- it's my second time watching. FYI, the code CATHY no longer works (although KNI is still selling this Weed Wacker brush for $5.50, even 3+ years later!).

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah my friend Cathy has been off of social media for a while now so her code probably got expired or something

[@MoniqueVanRey]

Not me putting target on the list tomorrow. Can’t wait to try for that price might as well try both elf and wet and wild lol

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah exactly! haha the elf used to be $1 and it's now $2 (inflation haha)

[@nda7154]

Great video...wish I had this when I first got into nail painting! 😄👍

[@PolishLabRat]

Hahaha me too!! And thanks ❤️

[@elcolorbox83]

Awesome video cleanup to make them look perfect I have not had a good and found this video and im so thankful!!!

[@PolishLabRat]

Glad you liked it!

[@monikajedryka932]

Thank you so much ! This is brilliant and so helpful .So far I've been taking shower between layers to remove excess 😂because the edge of a nail file takes too much. 🤣I think Mitty Burns Brush would be the best/thinnest .Usually not having problems with the sides, with my wide nails ,I'm trying an optical illusion and panting narrow layer so they look longer and not so wide.But with these clean up brushes creating a shape will be so much easier. Sorry , I get over excited but soo happy I've met you. Thank you 😊 Mx

[@monikajedryka932]

and Mitty ships free to UK 😍

[@PolishLabRat]

That's good to hear! haha :) Yeah the mitty brush is great, and specially if they ship to you. WIN WIN!!! woo hoo haha

[@monikajedryka932]

@@PolishLabRat and 10% discount-(take10off) my greedy soul is happy 😂😁😍-google search gave me link to German factory of cleaning brushes 😂 and the cheapest offer was £17 so mitty@ £12.90! It’s a good deal . Thank you again .Mx

[@monikajedryka932]

my angular Mitty arrived ! Its great ,still practising of course ! x

[@PolishLabRat]

Very glad you like it!!! 🥰

[@mideseoerestu]

I have been using the wrong this whole time! I bought a bunch of elf concealer brushes; now I need to get the angled and thinner brush 🤦🏽‍♀️ thanks for the tip!

[@PolishLabRat]

So the ELF one is great if there is nothing else tho, because you can still use it carefully, Ive just found that it’s not too good to get that perfect line around the cuticle, because you can’t put it into the nail. You can clean skin just fine tho, just stay outside the nail :)

[@elabits514]

So helpful! Thank you!

[@PolishLabRat]

Yw! ☺️❤️

[@sandrawilcox4986]

Best. Video. On. KZbin. Ty!

[@PolishLabRat]

🤣😂 thanks for watching!

[@Rasikakt55]

Can you use polish remover that has acetone or should it be pure acetone only? Thank u for this video!! I’m learning so much from you!

[@PolishLabRat]

Either one is fine. Thank you! Glad it’s helpful 🥰💕

[@restoredbypolish4591]

Love this. Thanks for doing it! Question: do you clean up after each individual nail or after you’re done painting all your nails? Does it make a difference? Also, my nails are super curvy, I suspect that makes it a bit harder...

[@PolishLabRat]

You are welcome! I clean up after each individual nail. I don't personally like to let the polish dry before I clean up because I find it harder to clean up. It's just simply easier to move around wet nail polish than dry nail polish /shrug... so I clean up after each nail while polish is still wet. Regarding nail shape, I think your nail shape might make it harder at first, but after you practice you won't even notice.

[@barbpage8235]

Question and comment for you... Great video btw! Thank you for showing the thinner brush! I will definitely try that next time! I only have an elf and W&W brush which means I cannot do the thin line at the top of nail successfully. I've tried! When is the best time to clean up? I see you clean up immediately after painting the nail. I've heard you should wait a minute but you didn't. If doing 2 coats of color, would you clean up after each coat of polish or wait until both coats of polish are applied? Dabbing on the towel is a must, I agree.

[@PolishLabRat]

I clean up immediately BECAUSE I dab on the towel which doesn’t cause the acetone to damage my application. I clean up at each coat. I understand that some people want to dry it first, but I find that it doesn’t clean up as nicely and I struggle more this way since the polish is already dry and I just prefer to clean up right away. I think it’s personal preference and you can do it either way. The WW one will help with the thin line more than the ELF obv, so stick to that one for the cuticle line.

[@j33harbison]

What brush can you use to remove gel polish on cuticles

[@PolishLabRat]

If it’s a nail clean up brush, they usually work the same for gel and regular polish. When working with gel polish just be extra careful that you don’t have the clean up brush anywhere near the lamp or the gel will cure on ur brush 🤣 (yes this happened to me a while ago) haha

[@wendym22]

Hi- thank you so much for this! I have a few brushes but none thin enough to get that fine work- so I appreciate your info and the links! My question is regarding nail polish application brushes- try as I might, I really dislike the OPI applicator brushes. I need the paddle shaped end and find theirs just don’t cut it for me to apply, push back towards the cuticle when I need to without getting those brush stroke marks. Often the polish is a bit thinner too, so it’s harder for me to control with a straight edge brush. Is there a brush you recommend that I can use in those circumstances for polish application? I assume I could use a brush for application, clean it off and reuse it? Thanks!

[@PolishLabRat]

I’ve never tried to do that with a brush (apply, clean up and reuse), but there are a bunch of brushes that are used this way for gel, and if I had to guess I would say they prob work with regular polish as well 🤔 . Something that helps with straight brushes is to use the corner of the brush as the guide and go around with it, not straight. Like go center, then go ( and then ) making the corner of the square brush align with the edges. I hope that helps!

[@wendym22]

Thanks Larissa ! I’ll try it that way next mani and let you know how it goes. 😃

[@soiwaslike]

I am…so bad at painting my nails. Q-tips for cleanup NEVER looked even remotely professional. Somehow I’d never heard of/thought to use a brush for cleanup until 2021. Idk what’s wrong with me hahah. Thanks so much for the info and tutorial!!

[@PolishLabRat]

Hahaha yw! Yes the brushes give the most professional look since the line ends up so even 😍

[@mariaalvarez8531]

Amazing, now I learned, thank you

[@PolishLabRat]

You are welcome! :)

[@sgsummerisle]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@PolishLabRat]

Yw! ❤️

[@26laf]

It looks like the Wet n Wild liner brush is available on the WNW website.

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah they have it on a bunch of places. Sometimes goes out of stock but eventually you find it haha 😊

[@latinaboricua6987]

Very helpful, thanks. 💅

[@PolishLabRat]

Yw! ❤️

[@jadabayy]

When I saw first messy finger I was like “come on” 😱 and I said it loud:)) Anyway, I like this video. I have only elf for now, I couldn’t find wet and wild yet and actually elf is pretty enough helpful for me. I don’t use oil after cleaning but ll start to do that. I was thinking after cleaning with acetone something we suppose to do and now I figure out what brush needs. Thanks for this video👌🏼🙏

[@PolishLabRat]

Yeah I cringed lmao but in order to clean up, I had to make a mess lmao! I never ever ever paint that way, but 🤷🏻‍♀️ all for the sake of experiment! 😜

[@wechwech695]

Hi PLR, which base coat do you use?

[@PolishLabRat]

I use one usually that’s not available online. Other good options are the ORLY Bonder and the Glisten and Glow base coat.

[@wechwech695]

@@PolishLabRat thank you ☺️

[@PolishLabRat]

Yw ☺️

[@wendidimus]

Ugh the ELF brushes are $4 at my store! I need to check out a dollar store to see what I can find. The nail sets I've bought from China got really bad really fast.

[@PolishLabRat]

I just checked and Wet N Wild has the small angled brush in stock! Check this link: www.wetnwildbeauty.com/angled-liner-brush.html

[@noelthompson8932]

I've tried this but I can't keep my hand still enough and always end up taking way to much off

[@PolishLabRat]

It’s gonna take a little bit of practice 🥰

[@jadabayy]

👌🏼😘

[@PolishLabRat]

❤️☺️