Scratch talks to left-handed techs to gain a perspective on what challenges they face when working as a nail professional

We live in a right-handed world. This is born from 90% of the population being right-handed, while the other 10%, known as southpaws or left-handed, must grin and bear it and adapt; for example, did you know that swiping a credit card or using a can opener can be an uncomfortable activity that right-handers take for granted. With scissors being a difficult instrument for left-handers to brandish, this is just one uncomfortable area for left-handed nail professionals. Award-winning nail tech and educator, Katie Barnes, a left-hander herself, explains the challenges she’s faced, “It’s assumed that when working left-handed, it’s just the opposite way. The majority of the population and therefore products manufactured and working techniques are right-handed. Having to adapt to right-handed working ways and tools has trained a left-handed tech’s brain and hand to work in an unusual and uncomfortable manner,” she continues, “When learning, it’s not just about the hand, it’s about the hand, eye and brain coordination. Each left-handed tech works, writes and holds objects differently, meaning that just the opposite way does not work.

“When learning nails, I found it an issue when observing a right-handed educator, who assumed that I would just work the opposite way. It’s a different way of thinking, and methods need to be adapted in various ways to help left-handed techs achieve success.  The difficulty of using many everyday items is likely part of the reason that left-handed individuals have acquired a reputation for awkwardness and clumsiness.”

Looking closely at which tech tools are the most tricky to wield, Katie advises, “Scissors are renowned for being problematic for left-handed users. The reason is due to the way the blades are aligned. Designed for right-handed users, when held in the right hand the bottom blade is on the left, allowing the user to have a full view of what is being cut. When you switch this to a left hand the blade doesn’t change position, meaning the upper blade sits in the way of the left hand user’s view. This view produces a more effective and cleaner cut for a right-handed user, whereas a left-hander’s cutting action may force the blades apart, reducing the effectiveness and often resulting in an uneven cut. A left-handed user has to hold right-handed scissors in an unnatural way to make the scissors cut, causing marks on the hand and eventually callouses. Add standard loop handles to the equation and it makes it extremely tricky for a left-handed user to manage. This makes cutting more difficult and can result in problems arising in the work. All of this puts additional stress on a left-handed tech’s hands and wrists, something which is already an issue in the industry.”

Compelled to address the lack of efficient tools for left-handed techs on the market, while also catering for all techs, Katie took to her drawing board and designed a series of made-to-measure nail tools, known as the Katie Barnes Tool Range, she cites, “A tool has to be crafted for a left-handed user, by a left-handed individual to understand what is required for it to be beneficial. It not only needs to consider hand use, it has to account for the hand, eye and brain coordination. For years, I found the industry tools were missing something: they were too long; too clumpy; blunt or difficult to use, especially for left-handed users and so I had to tailor my tools to get the desired results. With this in mind, and following many requests, the Katie Barnes Tool Range® was born. I wanted to create a range that I could be truly passionate about and know that the industry was getting the best possible solution at a reasonable price. Since I had first-hand experience of the issues left-handed users were facing, it equipped me with the knowledge and experience to create a tool range truly suitable for left-handed techs. As well as myself, a variety of expert left and right-handed techs trialled my range before launch to test the success and comfort for both users. Whilst creating a range that was suitable for left-handed techs, I was aware that there are more right-handed users out there, so it was important to ensure the brand was inclusive to all, even the ambidextrous.

“My scissors were designed with the left-handed tech in mind. Due to the pivot point, alignment and shape and size of the blades, vision is not affected for either right or left-handed users. The spring handle allows for easy use, almost like a tweezer action, which is suitable and provides better comfort for both left and right-handed users.

“With cuticle pushers, cuticle knives and other such tools, the ‘knife’ side is designed in a direction suitable for right-handed users and cannot be adapted for left-hand use, due to having one blunt and one sharp side. When designing my cuticle tool, I ensured that both sides were of equal thickness and sharpness to allow the tool to be used in either direction with the same results.

“E-files are also a common issue among left-handed techs. When a machine is working in a direction opposite to how it was designed, the motor will never be as powerful, meaning that when working on reverse for left-handed techs, the power is not as effective as it is for right-handed technicians. Issues even arise with electrical items, cameras, desks etc, which are designed for right-hand use resulting in a left-handed user having to stretch and work in an uncomfortable manner. Left handed users tend to put up and adapt however, as this has always been standard, but it’s not until they finally use something that truly benefits their working ways, that they realise the issues they’ve been up against.”

Twitter: @katiebnails

Inst: @katiebarnesnailartist

katiebarnesacademy.com

JODIE TAYLOR @jodietaylor_nailartist

Basildon, Essex

Nail Artist & educator for Nailchemy  

“I haven’t really found any difficulties working as a nail tech. I think being a leftie, people think I automatically need to have left-handed tools. Not this leftie, I’ve managed to work with many different tools over the years.
“I tried left-handed efile bits a long time ago, but if I’m honest, I didn’t find any difference. Using my efile with ordinary bits in reverse works perfectly for me. And even though I’m a leftie, I use cuticle scissors with my right hand; does that make me ambidextrous?

“For left-handed techs starting out in the profession, I advise during training to remember to mirror image what your right-handed tutor is teaching. If you have it in your head to mirror it, you won’t end up as stressed. For example, with one stroke, instead of starting at the left and working towards the right, start right and work towards the left and put your efile in reverse.”

 

Sofia Guardo @0ne_station

Edinburgh

“Since I started working in nails nine years ago, the most common problem I’ve found is losing clear vision of the client’s finger, when using cutting tools. Specific left-handed tools would make a huge a difference to my working life and make everything so much easier.

“The nail vacuum and nail tech tables are mostly adapted for right-handed professionals too, as they leave the right side of the table clear. The only option I see is to build your own table, so the left side is empty and free for arm movements and for storage drawers. To deal with the tool challenges, I use Russian manicure drill bits, which prevent me using the cuticle nipper.”

 

Ashley Witter

“When training in nails it took me a bit of time to work out how to follow the tutor with my left hand, which did create an initial barrier to learning. Classes prominently cater for right-handed people, so I had to learn to do everything the right-handed way. This has fortunately worked out well for me, but I wouldn’t recommend struggling just to be the same as others.

“I’m now a qualified tutor and make it a priority to demonstrate for both left and right-handed students. My advice to struggling students, just ask to be shown the left-handed positioning, don’t struggle in silence!”

 Stephanie Connolly @naileditnailsbysteph

“Being left-handed, I find buffing the nail and the client’s position can be troubling at times! I tend to move my chair quite a lot to help me get at all angles of the nail. Getting in the best position to use cuticle nippers can be a challenge because I feel like I can’t get into the right position with my hand to safely remove that bit of dead skin. Also, I can’t place my products on the left side of my nail desk, because I’ve knocked them over when filing or doing removals! So, I normally have my products on the right side, which means stretching over, which isn’t ideal, but it’s better than persistently knocking them over.

“I advise lefties to invest in a trolley for the essentials and place it on your left-hand side, so they’re not on the desk and you can’t knock them over with your elbow when filing. It also saves you having to reach over. Also move your position around to get the best view when doing a set of nails. I find this helps enormously.”

Amy Oldale @amy_oldale – award-winning nail & session artist

“I’ve been a leftie for 44 years, and when I was young left-handed scissors didn’t exist, so I had to cut right-handed making me a little ambidextrous.

“During lockdown V.2, I spent time trying to master form fitting. Switching scissors and forms around to customise the forms is really frustrating. So on my ‘to buy’ list is the Katie Barnes Form Scissors, as I’m loving her cuticle ones! The grip of the flex handle design makes it possible to use in my left hand. I do find the angled cuticle tools more tricky to use, so often stick to straight edged ones. My desk is all right-handed, so I’m reaching over myself or twisting to get to products in the drawers!

“For a left-handed newbie, it may be helpful to find a left-handed educator. I admit I’d love to work as a right-handed tech for a day, just to see how it feels and if there’s a big difference, as things can feel awkward the way I work.”

 

Scarlett Senter @scarlett_senternailartist

Award-winning nail artist & educator for Nailchemy

Kings Lynn, Norfolk

“Being left-handed has certainly afforded its challenges. When learning nails I had to do everything backwards to the educator. I found nail art extremely difficult and had to ask them to repeat the steps. This made me feel out of place and it took me longer to learn the techniques. However, I was determined to succeed.

“As an educator myself, I explain to my students that I’m left-handed, so they know to do the opposite to what I’m showing them, although after struggling, I’ve taught myself many right-handed ways, so can show some in this manner.

“Katie Barnes’ tool range has really made a difference to how I work.”

 Famous lefties include: Barack Obama, Bill Bryson, Lewis Carroll, Jean-Paul Gaultier, David Bowie, Spike Lee, Drew Barrymore, Kim Basinger, Leonardo da Vinci, Paul Klee, Rubens, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Marilyn Monroe, Chewbacca, Jimi Hendrix, Albert Einstein, Joan of Arc, Aristotle, Bill Gates, Mozart, Winston Churchill, Prince William…