Technique
Colour theory: How to create harmonious & eye-catching nail art
The World’s Star Nail Artist 2023, Katy Pottle, explores how the magic of colour theory can elevate your nail art designs… No matter what stage you are at on your nail journey, understanding how to play with colours can take your nail styles to the next level. Do you remember learning about the colour wheel in…
Read MoreHere’s how to treat common nail conditions – including pseudomonas & onycholysis
OPI educator, Lucy Price-Marshall who is a Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist for 2024 and took the title in 2023, shares troubleshooting pointers for common nail conditions. Identifying and treating common nail conditions and service concerns are valuable skills that will support your career. Knowledge of restrictive and preventative contraindications will…
Read MoreHow to master character nail art
If you or your clients are film fans, cosplay crazy, Disney holiday-goers or simply love sentimental or seasonal nail art, bring your favourite characters to life on nails with expert advice… Beginner level “Simple colour palette characters, like Mickey Mouse or Betty Boop, are great for beginners to create,” notes Emma Laverton of Fáilte Fae,…
Read MoreHow to create long nails with ease using Crystal Nails Fusion Tips & Acrylgel
International nail educator for Crystal Nails, Jurgita Bickevic, is passionate about seeing the joy on her clients’ faces following a nail transformation. She is ‘obsessed’ with Xtreme Fusion AcrylGel and Reverse Tips from Crystal Nails, crediting them for helping her to create speedy, flawless nail enhancements. The owner of J&J Salon, Oxford, comments: “Imagine this:…
Read MoreWhy gel polish shrinks & how to prevent it
Gel polish is a popular choice for many due to its long-lasting finish and resistance to chipping and fading, compared to traditional nail polish. However, one of the most common and tedious problems encountered when working with gel polish is the issue of shrinkage. Gel polish shrinking during application can be frustrating and negatively impact…
Read MoreAn award-winning nail tech’s guide to creating great video content
The World’s Star Nail Artist 2023, Katy Pottle, shares top tips for creating jaw-dropping video content to capture attention… Get inspired Firstly, seek inspiration from fellow nail artists. Watch their videos and ascertain what works and engages you. This can give you a good basis for your own unique video. If creating a video for a competition, be…
Read MoreMeet the nail tech soaring to new heights with her dragon-inspired extreme nail creation
In a meticulous process spanning two months, Anna Sosina’s dragon nail look was created to reflect her commitment to artistry and professionalism. Detailing the process of creating the intricate nail look, Anna reveals how her hard work on the nails came to become a stunning poster image, with the help of a photographer, model and…
Read More5 top tips to perfect your nail art stamping technique
Nail artist & MD of Moyra UK, Cheryl Ogden, became familiar with stamping at a trade show, and initially struggled to perfect a clean finish. When she became the exclusive distributor for Moyra in the UK, a brand renowned for its stamping products, she invested in education with Hungarian trainers, Alexandra Snoble and Norka. “After four…
Read MoreE-files: Why is direction so important?
Most professional E-files will come with two directions, forward and reverse. I always recommend investing in an E-file with both directions, to allow for enhanced performance and safe results. This type of E-file is sometimes mistakenly referred to as left and right-handed, but this is not always the direction that the tech would work. There…
Read MoreHere’s why you shouldn’t let your nail & beauty tools air dry after cleaning
Most nail tools and e-file bits are made from steel and iron. Rust occurs on nail tools, E-file bits, and other metal items when water (or moisture including humidity) and oxygen come into contact with iron or steel for a certain amount of time. This is a naturally occurring chemical reaction but can be prevented…
Read MoreThe difference between left and right-handed E-file bits
Most E-files will come with two directions, most commonly called forward and reverse. The forward direction will rotate the E-file bits in the correct direction when working from right to left, or commonly for a right-handed tech. The reverse direction will rotate the bits in the correct direction for a left to right, or commonly…
Read MoreHow to successfully edit your nail photos
In a previous blog, I shared 5 top tips on improving your nail photos. In this post, I am going to share more about editing your nail photos. Editing images these days, including nail images is a controversial topic. Your nail images should show the quality and truth of your work. It is therefore important…
Read MoreWhat is the cuticle & how much can be safely removed in a manicure?
Possibly one of the most debated and controversial topics in the industry, following allergies right now, is the cuticle. What is it, what is living and non-living, and what and how much can safely be removed? It can be confusing to know the difference between the terminology you hear including cuticle, proximal nail fold (PNF)…
Read MoreHow to maintain your nail enhancements
There are so many terms regarding nail enhancement maintenance appointments, such as back-fills, fill, fill-in, touch-up and maintenance – and it can often seem quite complex to both nail techs to understand what the difference is. Most clients seem to be familiar with the term ‘infills’ but this isn’t always the enhancement maintenance service that…
Read MoreNail enhancements: How, why & when to maintain them
There are so many terms in the industry surrounding nail enhancement maintenance, such as back-fills, fill, fill-in, touch-up and maintenance, which can be confusing to nail techs and clients. Most clients seem to be familiar with the term ‘infill’s’ but this isn’t always the enhancement maintenance service that is best for their nail needs There…
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