The best nail brush sets for acrylic and gel work include the Makartt 7-piece set for professionals (around R350-R450), the Beetles 15-piece starter set for beginners (R200-R300), and the Born Pretty 5-piece gel brush collection for gel specialists (R250-R350). These sets give you all the brush types you need without buying pieces individually, and they’re built to handle daily salon use while staying within most South African nail tech budgets.
After testing dozens of brush sets in my Johannesburg salon over the past few years, I’ve learned which ones actually last and which fall apart after a month.
Why Buying a Set Makes Sense
When I first started doing nails, I bought brushes one at a time. Big mistake. I spent way more money and still didn’t have all the brushes I needed for different techniques.
Good brush sets give you:
- Everything you need in one purchase
- Brushes that work well together
- Better value than buying individually
- A storage case (usually)
- Matching quality across all brushes
What to avoid:
- Super cheap sets under R100 (they fall apart quickly)
- Sets with too many brushes you’ll never use
- Sets without the basic sizes you need daily
What Makes a Good Acrylic Brush Set
Acrylic work needs specific brush features:
Must-haves in your acrylic set:
- At least one round brush (size 8 or 10 for most work)
- Kolinsky or quality synthetic bristles that hold their shape
- Brushes that can handle monomer without falling apart
- Different sizes for different nail lengths
- A flat brush for smoothing
The sizes you’ll actually use:
- Size 6: For short nails and detailed work
- Size 8: Perfect for average length nails (you’ll use this most)
- Size 10: For long nails and faster coverage
- Size 12: For sculpted nails and competitions
Most good acrylic sets come with 3-5 brushes in different sizes. That’s usually enough.
What Makes a Good Gel Brush Set
Gel brushes are different from acrylic brushes:
Must-haves in your gel set:
- Flat brush for application (size 6 or 8)
- Detail brush for nail art
- Cleanup or angled brush
- All synthetic bristles (natural hair can’t handle gel cleaners well)
- UV-resistant handles that won’t yellow
Bonus items:
- Fan brush for ombre
- Striping brush for lines
- Dotting tools
A solid gel set has 5-7 brushes that cover everything from base coat to detailed art.
Top Professional Sets Available in South Africa
1. Makartt Professional Acrylic Brush Set
What you get: 7 brushes in sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, plus a flat detail brush and an angled brush. Comes in a plastic case.
Price range: R350-R450 on Takealot and beauty supply sites
Best for: Nail techs doing daily acrylic work
Why I like it:
- Bristles hold their shape even after months of use
- The size 8 brush is perfect for most clients
- Case keeps everything organized
- Handles are comfortable for long work days
The downside: Not cheap, but worth it if you’re serious about acrylics
2. Beetles 15-Piece Nail Art Brush Set
What you get: 15 brushes including flat, detail, striping, dotting, and fan brushes. Mix of sizes for both gel and regular polish work.
Price range: R200-R300 online
Best for: Beginners or nail techs doing mostly gel work with some art
Why it’s good:
- Great variety for the price
- Comes with popular nail art brushes
- Good for trying different techniques
- Nice storage case included
The downside: Quality is good but not professional-grade. Fine for starting out.
3. Born Pretty Gel Brush Collection
What you get: 5 specialized gel brushes – flat application brush, detail brush, striping brush, cleanup brush, and art brush.
Price range: R250-R350
Best for: Gel nail specialists who want quality without buying a huge set
Why it works:
- Perfect for gel-only work
- Brushes are sized right for South African nail beds
- Clean easily with gel cleaners
- Last a long time with proper care
The downside: Doesn’t include acrylic brushes
4. Rosalind 20-Piece Complete Set
What you get: Everything – acrylic brushes, gel brushes, dotting tools, art brushes, and more.
Price range: R280-R380
Best for: New nail techs building their first complete kit
Why people buy it:
- You get literally everything
- Super affordable per brush
- Good for figuring out what you like
- Great gift for someone starting out
The downside: Some brushes you might never use. Quality varies across different brush types.
5. Kolinsky Professional Set (Various Brands)
What you get: Usually 3-5 pure Kolinsky hair brushes for acrylic work.
Price range: R450-R800
Best for: Experienced techs doing high-end acrylic work
Why techs love them:
- Best quality available
- Hold monomer perfectly
- Create the smoothest acrylic application
- Last for years
The downside: Expensive. Only worth it once you know how to use them properly.
Budget-Friendly Options That Don’t Suck
Not everyone can drop R400 on brushes. Here are decent cheaper options:
Chinese beauty supply stores: Often have 10-piece sets for R150-R200. Hit or miss, but some are surprisingly good.
Clicks and Dis-Chem starter kits: Around R120-R180. Basic but fine for learning.
No-name brands on Takealot: Read reviews carefully. Some R150 sets are great, others fall apart.
My budget pick: Look for sets around R200 with good reviews. You’ll get 6-12 months of use before needing upgrades.
What’s Included in Different Price Ranges
R100-R200 sets:
- 7-15 brushes
- Basic synthetic bristles
- Simple storage case
- Good for practicing
- Might last 6-12 months
R200-R400 sets:
- 5-10 quality brushes
- Better synthetic or mixed bristles
- Nicer storage
- Daily salon use quality
- Should last 1-2 years
R400-R800 sets:
- 3-7 professional brushes
- Kolinsky or premium synthetic
- Professional storage
- Competition quality
- Last 2-4 years with care
Acrylic-Specific vs Gel-Specific vs Combo Sets
Acrylic-only sets:
- Round brushes in multiple sizes
- Thicker handles
- Natural hair preferred
- Designed for monomer use
Gel-only sets:
- Flat brushes mainly
- All synthetic usually
- Thinner handles
- Made for gel cleaners
Combo sets:
- Mix of both types
- More brushes total
- Better for variety work
- Good if you do both services
What I recommend: If you only do one type of nail (gel OR acrylic), get a specialized set. If you do both, get a combo set or two separate smaller sets.
Storage Cases Matter More Than You Think
Good sets come with proper storage:
Look for:
- Individual slots for each brush
- Protection for bristles
- Snaps or zippers that actually work
- Easy to clean material
Avoid:
- Loose pouches where brushes bang together
- Cases that don’t close properly
- Fabric that absorbs product
I’ve had brushes get ruined because the case didn’t protect them properly. Storage matters.
Building Your Own Set vs Buying Pre-Made
Sometimes building your own makes sense:
Buy individual brushes when:
- You already have some brushes
- You know exactly what you need
- You want specific high-quality pieces
- You’re replacing worn brushes
Buy a set when:
- You’re starting from scratch
- You want to try different brush types
- You need a complete kit quickly
- You want better value for money
I started with a set, then added individual specialty brushes as I learned what I loved using.
Breaking Down Cost Per Brush
Sets save money. Here’s the math:
Buying individually:
- Flat brush: R60
- Detail brush: R50
- Striping brush: R55
- Fan brush: R45
- Cleanup brush: R40
- Total: R250 for 5 brushes
Buying a 10-brush set:
- Set price: R280
- Per brush: R28
- You get 5 extra brushes for R30 more
Sets win, especially when starting out.
Reading Reviews Before Buying
When shopping online, check reviews for:
Red flags:
- Bristles falling out
- Handles breaking
- Brushes arriving damaged
- Terrible customer service
Good signs:
- Photos from actual users
- Detailed reviews mentioning specific uses
- Comments about durability
- Before and after pictures
Don’t just look at the star rating. Read what people actually say.
Where to Buy in South Africa
Online options:
- Takealot (easy returns, reliable delivery)
- Bash (good prices, slower delivery)
- Beauty supply websites (bigger selection)
- Wish/AliExpress (cheap but takes forever)
Physical stores:
- Chinese beauty supply shops in your mall
- Nail supply stores (Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town)
- Clicks and Dis-Chem (limited selection)
- Beauty salons that sell supplies
My advice: Buy online for variety, buy in-store when you need brushes TODAY.
Sets for Different Skill Levels
Complete beginner: Start with a R200-R300 combo set. You’ll learn what you like without spending too much.
Been doing nails 6-12 months: Upgrade to a R300-R450 set in your specialty (gel or acrylic). You know what you need now.
Professional with regular clients: Invest in R400-R800 sets. The quality difference shows in your work and they last longer.
Nail artist doing competitions: Buy individual high-end brushes. You need specific tools for advanced techniques.
What South African Weather Does to Brushes
Our climate affects brush care:
Dry areas (Joburg, Pretoria):
- Bristles can get brittle
- Store in cooler spots
- Clean more carefully
- Consider brush conditioner
Humid areas (Durban, Cape Town):
- Take longer to dry
- More careful about bacteria
- Store in sealed containers
- Clean more often
Choose sets with durable bristles that handle our weather.
Sets That Come With Training
Some brands include:
- QR codes to video tutorials
- Printed guides for each brush
- Access to online courses
- Tips cards
Worth it for beginners who are still learning. You’re not just buying brushes; you’re getting education too.
Red Flags When Shopping for Sets
Skip any set that:
- Has no reviews or only 5-star reviews (suspicious)
- Costs under R80 for 10+ brushes (too cheap)
- Ships from overseas with no tracking
- Has blurry product photos
- Doesn’t specify brush materials
Trust your gut. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Replacing Brushes from Your Set
Even good sets wear out eventually. Replace individual brushes when:
- Bristles permanently splay out
- Handle gets loose or breaks
- You can’t get them clean anymore
- They leave streaks constantly
You don’t need to replace the whole set. Just buy individual replacements for worn brushes.
Sets for Mobile Nail Techs
Working from your car or clients’ homes? You need:
Compact storage:
- Smaller case that fits in your kit bag
- 5-7 brushes maximum
- Protective caps for bristles
- Wipeable case material
Durability:
- Brushes that handle travel
- Secure case that won’t open
- Brushes you can clean anywhere
My pick: Born Pretty or similar 5-piece sets. Small, quality, easy to transport.
Gift Sets for Aspiring Nail Techs
Buying for someone else? Look for:
- Beginner-friendly variety
- R200-R350 range
- Nice presentation box
- Includes basic types (flat, detail, cleanup)
- Brand with good reputation
The Beetles 15-piece set makes a great gift. Affordable, looks nice, and gives them everything to start.
Maintaining Your Investment
A R400 set should last 2-3 years. Make it happen by:
After each use:
- Clean immediately
- Reshape bristles
- Dry flat
- Store properly
Weekly:
- Deep clean all brushes
- Check for damage
- Condition if needed
Monthly:
- Inspect for wear
- Replace damaged brushes
- Clean storage case
Good maintenance turns a decent set into a long-term investment.
When to Upgrade Your Set
You’ll know it’s time when:
- Your business is growing
- You’re frustrated with current brushes
- Clients are paying premium prices
- You want to learn advanced techniques
- Your current set is wearing out
Don’t upgrade just because. Upgrade when it makes sense for your business.
Combo Deals to Watch For
Black Friday: Sets often 30-50% off
End of year: Beauty suppliers clear stock
New product launches: Old sets go on sale
Bulk buying: Some suppliers give discounts for multiple sets
I bought my professional set during Black Friday and saved R180. Worth waiting for sales if you can.
The Truth About Professional vs Starter Sets
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Starter sets are fine for:
- Learning techniques
- Low-volume work
- Figuring out your style
- First 6-12 months
Professional sets matter when:
- You’re doing 5+ clients daily
- You’re charging premium prices
- You want faster work
- Durability matters
Start where your budget and skill level are. Upgrade when it makes business sense.
My Personal Recommendations by Need
Best overall value: Makartt 7-piece (R350-R450) Best for beginners: Beetles 15-piece (R200-R300) Best gel-only: Born Pretty collection (R250-R350) Best acrylic-only: Kolinsky 3-piece (R450+) Best budget: Quality Chinese brand 10-piece (R150-R200)
These are based on what works in actual daily salon use, not fancy marketing.
Making Your Choice
Think about:
- What type of nails you do most (gel, acrylic, or both)
- How many clients you see weekly
- Your current budget
- Your skill level
- What techniques you want to learn
Your answers will point you to the right set.
A good brush set is an investment in your business. Start with something decent, take care of it, and upgrade when you’re ready. The right brushes make your work easier, faster, and more beautiful. Your clients will notice the difference, even if they don’t know why their nails look better than ever.