Mixing is one of the key things you can do with the epoxy, I buy bags of cheap acid brushes at Harbor freight and use them instead of A stick. This time of year I also have to heat the epoxy up to get it thin enough. I mix it until it turns A white?? Light color, sorry, that color blind thing. Anyway, after using the brushes I discovered how much better the stuff would mix. As to brands?? What ever my LHS has in stock works well for me. On fire walls and any of the thicker woods I use A small dental burr {drill} and put holes in the sides so the epoxy has someplace to flow into for that added hold. On fire walls I also use tooth picks to pin my work. So far no problems with anything falling off. Wonder if it works on hair???