What is Brush Saver?
Brush Saver is an essential tool for anyone who uses dip powder liquids. This specialized solution does exactly what its name suggests—it saves your brushes! If you've ever opened your top coat, base, or activator bottle only to find a hardened, unusable brush, Brush Saver is the solution you need.
Our Brush Saver is compatible with all three liquid steps (Pro Step 1 Base, Pro Step 2 Activator, and Pro Step 3 Top Coat), making it a versatile must-have in your dip powder toolkit.
How Does Brush Saver Work?
Brush Saver uses a special formula that breaks down hardened liquid residue and restores brushes to their original soft, pliable condition. The process is simple:
- When you notice a brush has hardened, swap the brush cap with your Brush Saver cap
- Place the hardened brush into the Brush Saver bottle to soak
- Put the clean Brush Saver brush into your liquid bottle so you can continue using it
- Let the hardened brush soak for at least 15 minutes (overnight is best for severely hardened brushes)
- Once restored, you can swap the brushes back or keep using the Brush Saver brush in your liquid
When Should You Use Brush Saver?
1. Hardened Top Coat Brush
This is the most common issue! Top coat brushes harden when they come into contact with activator residue. If you don't wait long enough between applying Step 2 Activator and Step 3 Top Coat, activator residue on your nails can transfer to the top coat brush, causing it to harden.
Prevention tip: Always wait 2-5 minutes after applying activator before using top coat, and make sure nails are completely dry.
2. Hardened Base Brush
Base liquid brushes can harden if they come into contact with activator or if powder buildup in the bottle causes contamination. Minimize contact with activator residue by wiping the brush on a paper towel before returning it to the bottle.
Prevention tip: Limit the amount of powder that gets into the base by brushing away extra powder from the nail before reapplying base, and wipe the brush clean before putting it back in the bottle.
3. Between Uses for Deep Cleaning
Even if your brushes aren't completely hardened, you can use Brush Saver for regular maintenance. Soaking brushes in Brush Saver between manicures or when you notice them getting stiff helps keep them in optimal condition.
Recommended schedule: Soak each brush in Brush Saver overnight every few weeks to maintain peak performance.
4. Contaminated or Sticky Brushes
If your brush feels sticky, clumpy, or isn't applying liquid smoothly, a soak in Brush Saver can restore it to like-new condition.
How to Use Brush Saver Effectively
For Quick Fixes (15 Minutes to 1 Hour)
If your brush is slightly stiff or sticky, a 15-minute to 1-hour soak in Brush Saver should restore it. Simply swap the caps and let the brush sit in the solution while you complete your manicure or go about your day.
For Severely Hardened Brushes (Overnight Soak)
If a brush has been hardened for a while or is completely stiff, let it soak overnight in Brush Saver. By morning, it should be soft and ready to use again.
Pro tip: If a brush is extremely hardened, you may need to soak it for 24 hours or repeat the overnight soak a second time.
Maintaining Your Brush Saver
Just like your other liquids, Brush Saver requires proper care:
- Always keep it fully closed when not in use, or it may evaporate
- Store upright at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures
- Wipe excess liquid off brushes with a paper towel before inserting them into Brush Saver
- Use the clean brush that was soaking to continue your manicure while the hardened brush restores
Preventing Brush Hardening in the First Place
While Brush Saver is excellent for fixing hardened brushes, prevention is always better than cure. Here's how to keep your brushes in great condition:
For Base Liquid Brushes:
- Brush away excess powder from nails before reapplying base
- Wipe the brush on a paper towel before returning it to the bottle
- Minimize contact with activator residue
- Keep the bottle threads clean by wiping with alcohol before closing
For Top Coat Brushes:
- Wait the full 2-5 minutes after applying activator before using top coat
- Make sure nails are completely dry before applying top coat
- Avoid overworking the top coat with too many brush strokes
- Never apply top coat over wet or tacky activator
For Activator Brushes:
- Always keep the bottle fully closed when not in use to prevent evaporation
- Store upright and away from heat
- Wipe the brush clean before returning it to the bottle
Troubleshooting Common Brush Issues
Brush won't soften even after soaking: Try a longer soak (24-48 hours) or replace the brush if it's beyond repair.
Brush keeps hardening repeatedly: You're likely not waiting long enough between activator and top coat, or there's contamination in your liquid bottle. Review your application timing and consider replacing the contaminated liquid.
Brush Saver is evaporating quickly: Make sure the cap is tightly sealed after each use. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources.
Is Brush Saver Worth It?
Absolutely! Replacing liquid bottles because of hardened brushes is expensive and wasteful. Brush Saver extends the life of your liquids significantly, saving you money in the long run. Plus, having a backup brush ready to go means you never have to stop mid-manicure because of a hardened brush.
Cost savings: One bottle of Brush Saver can restore dozens of brushes, making it far more economical than replacing entire liquid bottles.
Pro Tips for Brush Care
- Keep a Brush Saver bottle in your dip powder kit at all times
- Rotate brushes regularly—use the Brush Saver brush while your original brush soaks
- Clean brushes proactively, not just when they harden
- Label your brushes if you have multiple Brush Saver bottles for different liquids
- Never force a hardened brush—let Brush Saver do the work
Ready to Save Your Brushes?
Brush Saver is an essential tool for maintaining your dip powder liquids and ensuring every manicure goes smoothly. Whether you're dealing with a hardened top coat brush or just want to keep your brushes in peak condition, Brush Saver is the simple, effective solution.
For more information about liquid care, application tips, and troubleshooting, visit our instructions page. And as always, if you have questions or need assistance, email our support team—we're happy to help!