Which nail brush shape do I need — flat, oval, liner or ombré?
Flat brushes build and press the acrylic bead. Oval brushes give a softer edge and are more forgiving for beginners. Liner brushes draw thin, continuous lines. Ombré and fan shapes blend colour gradients. A salon range normally needs at least a flat, an oval and a liner.
Flat
A flat, squared head picks up a bead and presses it into the nail plate with controlled pressure. It is the workhorse for acrylic application and for building an apex. Size is usually quoted in millimetres across the ferrule; a 6–10 mm range covers most salon work.
Oval
An oval head has a rounded edge, so it leaves a softer transition and is less likely to press a hard line into the product. It suits gel application and customers who want a more forgiving brush.
Liner and detail
Liner brushes are long, thin and pointed. They carry a small, steady load for stripes, French lines and nail art. Tip sharpness matters more than size here, which is why Kolinsky is common in this shape.
Ombré, fan and angled
Ombré brushes are wide and flat with a soft edge for blending two colours. Fan brushes feather colour outward. Angled brushes reach the sidewalls and cuticle line. These are range-extenders rather than core tools.
Common questions
What size flat brush should a salon start with?
A 8 mm flat is the most common starting point, with a 6 mm for smaller nails and a 10 mm for large surfaces.
Can one brush do both acrylic and gel?
It can physically, but most technicians keep them separate because gel and acrylic residue behave differently in the hair.