How To Crimp Your Acrylic Nail Brush

Crimping or pinching is a technique that is usually done on a round brush. It simply means reducing the roundness of the ferrule to an oval shape. This makes the bristles fan out and lie flat but still retain a thick belly. 

Crimping your brush is an irreversible process so you have to be sure that you want to do it. You also have to get it right but don't worry, these steps will show you exactly how to crimp your acrylic nail brush.

You will need a plier, the round brush you want to crimp, monomer, and a lint-free cloth or paper towel. 

• Get the brush you want to crimp.
  If it is a new brush, ensure that all the resin has been removed from it first. 
  
• Now that your brush has been prepped, you have to find out the best direction your brush will lie in when pinched.
  
  Dip the brush in monomer and try to flatten it out on the paper towel.
  
  Do this in different directions till you get the most natural flat look. That's when there is no splitting or sawed tooth edge. 
  

3. Pick up the plier and place the ferrule of the brush in between the jaws of the plier. Ensure that you are holding the plier with your dominant hand to give yourself a good grip.

4. Set the plier about 2-4mm from the tip of the ferrule (base of the bristles). You do not want to go lower so you don't disturb the roots of the bristles and cause the hairs to fall out.

5. Gently but firmly apply pressure to the plier and clamp down on the ferrule. The direction your brush is crimped should be the same natural direction you got in step 2.

This video will show you exactly how you can crimp your brush with a plier.

6. Remove the brush and check if it was flattened enough. If you want a flatter brush, repeat the process again.

Pro-tip:
If this is the first brush you are crimping, I would advise you to crimp it lightly at first. You could always apply more pressure if it doesn't fan out as much as you want.