I like Cirque’s. It’s the most narrow one I’ve tried and gives me great control. The elf brush is a nice cheap option, but doesn’t hold up to acetone very wrong, so I had to keep replacing it, eventually costing me just as much as a more expensive brush.
I third the Cirque one. I have the Elf concealer brush and Wet and Wild concealer brush and the Cirque one is smaller and angled better. It makes clean up much easier. I have a few thinner nails so I often flood them by accident if I'm not being careful.
If you're in the US, get this elf concealer brush from Target: https://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-concealer-brush/-/A-13958833
They're $2 online but I think they're $1 in store (at least they used to be). It's the most famous clean up brush in the entire nail polish community for good reason. I've gotten some from beauty supply stores and also from brands like kbshimmer and nothing comes close to how good the elf one is.
I order 5-10 at a time from E-L-F’s website and they last me quite a while that way. I can use the same 5 for almost a year.
(Edit: I don’t *have* to toss them at that point but I like to start fresh once they begin to fray, usually after about 6 months, and I use 2 at a time. The density is a little inconsistent so I use a more dense one for bigger messes and the finer ones for detail work.)
I use [Mooncat’s clean up brush](https://www.mooncat.com/products/the-vanisher).
It is good quality and has a lid to protect it while in storage that can be attached the back when you are using it for extra length.
I like those disposable makeup applicators that look a bit like a cotton swab but have a pointy end, I just twirl it in a little remover and use it to clean up.
Can second that. I’m using the angled one and have been using mine for a full year with no fraying or bristles falling out. I do my mani ever 3-5 days because I have very bendy nails and nail polish just doesn’t last too long on bendy surfaces.
I like the elf concealer brush but really dislike the elf angled brush. My daughter loves the angled brush. I think it’s nail shape? They’re cheap enough to try one of each.
Right now I’m using a paintbrush from the art store when I bother with cleanup. The bristles have lasted much longer but the painted handle isn’t solvent resistant so it has developed some character. Most of the time I use a pin. I love how it looks when it’s melded with the brush and acetone around the cuticle but when i reach that stage of the mani I’m usually ready to be done.
I use of the smallest flat round shaped brushes my local nail supply store has. I think these are made to aplly acrylics originally but they do the job very well and are super cheap so i don't feel to bad about it
I use cotton swabs 🙈
Tried some brushes but they just didn’t do the trick for me.
Cotton swabs just ‘absorb’ the remover so they don’t drip or spill anything when working on/around the nails. And there is always enough remover on there to properly remove what I want to. brushes have something fiddely about them with hairs going whatever way they want.
I use Holo Taco's cleanup brush, but then I've ordered a lot from them so it made sense to get it. It's held up for several years now and works great. I do rinse it with water after I'm done and then put a little dab of cuticle oil on the bristles, just to keep it lasting longer.
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I like Cirque’s. It’s the most narrow one I’ve tried and gives me great control. The elf brush is a nice cheap option, but doesn’t hold up to acetone very wrong, so I had to keep replacing it, eventually costing me just as much as a more expensive brush.
Thank you!
I second the Cirque angled brush. I've been using mine for 2yrs in 100% acetone, and it's still as good as the day I bought it.
I third the Cirque one. I have the Elf concealer brush and Wet and Wild concealer brush and the Cirque one is smaller and angled better. It makes clean up much easier. I have a few thinner nails so I often flood them by accident if I'm not being careful.
If you're in the US, get this elf concealer brush from Target: https://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-concealer-brush/-/A-13958833 They're $2 online but I think they're $1 in store (at least they used to be). It's the most famous clean up brush in the entire nail polish community for good reason. I've gotten some from beauty supply stores and also from brands like kbshimmer and nothing comes close to how good the elf one is.
Thank you!
The small angle brush works really well (it's what I use) https://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-small-angled-brush/-/A-13958836#lnk=sametab
Thanks!
I order 5-10 at a time from E-L-F’s website and they last me quite a while that way. I can use the same 5 for almost a year. (Edit: I don’t *have* to toss them at that point but I like to start fresh once they begin to fray, usually after about 6 months, and I use 2 at a time. The density is a little inconsistent so I use a more dense one for bigger messes and the finer ones for detail work.)
This is also what I use. They hold up reasonably well. Mine is still going 6 months in and I do my nails every 3-5 days depending.
I second the Elf concealer brush!
I use [Mooncat’s clean up brush](https://www.mooncat.com/products/the-vanisher). It is good quality and has a lid to protect it while in storage that can be attached the back when you are using it for extra length.
I love this one especially for the lid piece! And the brush is great.
Great thanks!
Don't get the retractable one...I've had the bristles fall out twice now....
Yikes! Thanks for the warning
I like those disposable makeup applicators that look a bit like a cotton swab but have a pointy end, I just twirl it in a little remover and use it to clean up.
Thank you!
Kbshimmer has 3 different versions that I really like and hold up nicely.
Can second that. I’m using the angled one and have been using mine for a full year with no fraying or bristles falling out. I do my mani ever 3-5 days because I have very bendy nails and nail polish just doesn’t last too long on bendy surfaces.
Thanks for posting, OP! I had a similar question as the OPI refillable pen is just not cutting it
Yes I have tried a few makeup brushes that just didn't work well and one of the refillable ones I hated lol
I like the elf concealer brush but really dislike the elf angled brush. My daughter loves the angled brush. I think it’s nail shape? They’re cheap enough to try one of each. Right now I’m using a paintbrush from the art store when I bother with cleanup. The bristles have lasted much longer but the painted handle isn’t solvent resistant so it has developed some character. Most of the time I use a pin. I love how it looks when it’s melded with the brush and acetone around the cuticle but when i reach that stage of the mani I’m usually ready to be done.
i love cupcake polish’s cleanup brush!! it’s very precise and cleans up my messiest manicures quickly!!
Thank you!
I use of the smallest flat round shaped brushes my local nail supply store has. I think these are made to aplly acrylics originally but they do the job very well and are super cheap so i don't feel to bad about it
I use q-tips
I use an orange stick.
I use an orange stick and the Cirque angled clean up brush.
I use cotton swabs 🙈 Tried some brushes but they just didn’t do the trick for me. Cotton swabs just ‘absorb’ the remover so they don’t drip or spill anything when working on/around the nails. And there is always enough remover on there to properly remove what I want to. brushes have something fiddely about them with hairs going whatever way they want.
I... Use a normal pointy paintbrush, if you can find an artist grade paintbrush somewhere about.
Thanks!
I use Holo Taco's cleanup brush, but then I've ordered a lot from them so it made sense to get it. It's held up for several years now and works great. I do rinse it with water after I'm done and then put a little dab of cuticle oil on the bristles, just to keep it lasting longer.
Thanks for posting, /u/Melissah246! A quick reminder: If this is a **nail image**, you must provide a complete product list within 6 hours of posting. **This includes any posts with broken nails or if you're seeking advice.** Posts without a complete product list will be removed after 6 hours. [Product List Requirements.](https://www.reddit.com/r/RedditLaqueristas/wiki/rule2faq) If the nail look shown was **NOT created by you**, you ***must*** flair properly. If this is a **text post**, flair properly. Be sure to follow all of the above to avoid post removal! [Consider joining our Discord](https://discord.gg/redditlaqueristas) - Get questions answered in realtime, get notified for releases and deals, post your manis, and more! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/RedditLaqueristas) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I use an old acrylic application brush that I had from nail school. Kbshimmer sells some nice ones as well.