5 reasons why you should get your nails done at a salon

There has been a recent increase in content showcasing professional nail products – but created by non-nail techs. Many claim that DIY nail kits offer a fast, cheap and easy nail solution, but that is far from the truth… Here are five reasons why getting your nails done by a trained nail technician is always…

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Gel & acrylic nails: 7 steps to reduce the risk of allergy

Ctpa allergy guidance

Caroline Rainsford, director of science at the Cosmetics, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), shares practical ways for nail pros to prevent allergies… Acrylate monomers, which are the starting materials in liquid & powder (L&P acrylic) and UV/LED gel nail systems, can sometimes cause allergic reactions if they touch the skin. An allergy is not only…

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9 common nail & skin problems for runners & how to treat

Runner feet

Discover the common nail and skin woes of runners and how nail professionals can tackle them… “Runners can be prone to a lot of foot problems,” explains nail educator & brand adviser, Rachel Gribble. “A build-up of hard skin, ingrown and bruised toenails are some of the most prevalent. A regular pedicure can help keep…

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Nail experts share how to elevate bridal nail services

We’ve all heard the idiom: ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’. But did you know, there’s an oft-forgotten final verse to the beloved wedding rhyme: ‘and a silver sixpence in your shoe’? Some brides still honour it by tucking a penny into their shoes. It’s a small token, but one said to bring…

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What’s the difference between the nail plate & the nail bed?

Natural Nail Manicure Canva

The terminology can be confusing, but it’s crucial to understand the different parts of the nail structure, including the nail plate and the nail bed. Here, I explore the distinct characteristics of these two components and their roles. THE NAIL PLATE: what you need to know The nail plate is what we generally class as…

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5 things to know as a beginner nail tech

Nail pro, educator & founder of The Curated Club platform, Laurie Heath, shares lessons learned from nearly 16 years of industry experience… About The Curated Club I struggled a lot in the early days of my career, nearly quit a few times and spent years figuring things out the hard way. I started creating digital marketing…

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Nail eponychium explained: what, where & why it matters

The cuticle, nail plate and sidewalls are among the most commonly discussed parts of the nail. But one structure that often gets overlooked – despite being incredibly important – is the eponychium. It’s time to shine a scientific spotlight on this fascinating part of the nail, and find out exactly where it is and what…

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What are nails made of & why do we have them?

Before you can truly care for nails, you need to understand them. Let’s take a look at the anatomy, composition and purpose of the nail unit… What are nails? When someone talks about fingernails, they are often referring to the entire area that sits at the end of the fingers, known scientifically as the nail…

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Revealed: the nail & beauty products that can & can’t be recycled

Recycling is a challenge for many small businesses, particularly in terms of accessing services to process waste materials. For nail and beauty professionals, this can prove even more difficult… While specialist waste collection services do exist in some areas, they are not consistent and may prove expensive. Unfortunately, most of the waste the beauty industry…

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How to spot a high-quality professional nail product

In today’s saturated nail market, quality is a complex issue that requires unpacking. From ingredients to in-house support and labelling to UK and EU law, read on to discover what quality means in the professional nail realm. What is a high-quality product? “A high-quality product is one that performs as expected without causing unanticipated consequences,”…

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Nail sidewalls: what are they & why do they matter?

Overlooked and often underestimated, sidewalls are one secret to a flawless nail enhancement. Here’s how to treat them right… What are sidewalls and where are they? The sidewall, as defined by nail education platform, NailKnowledge, is ‘the skin on either side of the nail plate’, encompassing the ‘part of the nail that extends out from…

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