Technique
An insight into the nail apex
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, serves up advice on apex placement for different nail shapes What is the apex? The apex should be the highest part of an enhancement, located at the weakest point and created to give the nail balance and strength. It should be visible from every angle but is most noticeable from the side view. The position of the apex varies in different…
Read MoreWhy you shouldn’t use craft glitter in your nail services
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals why you shouldn’t use craft shop glitter in your nail services. There are many techs using craft glitters in their nail services because they may have seen someone else do it, it is low cost and easy. You may think it’s only glitter and can’t do…
Read MoreHow to deal with damaged nails
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to tackle common characteristics of damaged nails… One of the most challenging roles we play as nail technicians is the role of repair man or woman. We all have clients who come to us with weak, thin and damaged nails seeking guidance and an…
Read MoreHow to prevent nail product overexposure
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals why the misuse of monomer can have nasty consequences… We are all responsible for bad work habits but some are more dangerous than others. It has become alarmingly more apparent through the likes of YouTube videos and live feeds on social media that too many techs are flooding cuticles and surrounding tissue with…
Read MoreGel polish fading? Here’s how to prevent it
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals why gel polish can fade in the summer – and how to help prevent it Many techs are familiar with the issue of under-curing gel, but not so aware of the issues of over-curing gel. How many techs have been baffled by clients returning with…
Read MoreHow to enhance nail colour opportunities with acrylic powders
Educator and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to create multiple colour opportunities via custom blending… The number of colour possibilities is endless with acrylic powders, as by combining these powders and glitters or pigments, you can created countless varieties of custom blends. While many techs are confident with customising and mixing glitters and coloured acrylics, they aren’t…
Read MoreTo pinch or not? Katie Barnes on nail enhancements
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how and when to use pinching tools… There is often a debate within the industry about whether or not you should pinch L&P and gel enhancements. I think there are situations where it is necessary and others where it is not so essential. An important…
Read MoreHow to create different nail shapes
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to create different nail shapes depending on your client’s request There are many different nail shapes that clients request and it is important to ensure that you are providing a structurally sound and durable enhancement with the correct form fit and apex for each shape.…
Read MoreHow to take care of your nail tools
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to take care of your tekking essentials; your tools. From scissors and cuticle pushers to tweezers and nippers, the sharp implements you use as a professional nail technician must be properly maintained. To perform safe and professional nail treatments, it is paramount to ensure your…
Read MoreHow to perfect proper nail structure
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals the components of proper nail structure for a perfect nail finish… While a nail enhancement featuring beautiful embellishments and nail art may look good to the eye at first glace; if the enhancement’s foundation isn’t sound then it will not have longevity and could cause damage…
Read MoreHow to practice nail techniques away from clients
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, offers advice on finding time and tools to practice your techniques… A sentence I hear more than often, especially from those fresh in the industry or learning is ‘I can’t find anyone to practice on’. There is no better way to practice than on a…
Read MoreHow to fit a form to bitten nails
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, offers advice on tending to the nails of clients that like to nibble… Many clients and techs often believe because a nail is naturally very short, they are unable to extend the nail with a sculpted enhancement or are sometimes just unsure how to achieve…
Read MoreHow to take a great nail photo
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, offers advice on making the most of your nail snaps… Taking good photographs of your nail work can increase your chances of being featured in publications and grow your clients and social media following. The quality of your photographs can show the difference between an amateur and professional nail technician. You don’t need a professional camera or equipment to…
Read MoreAn insight into the waterless manicure
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, susses out the waterless manicure… The traditional method of dipping your fingers into a bowl of water while getting a manicure has become somewhat dated, with many techs now offering a waterless ‘dry’ manicure service. Waterless manicures are becoming increasingly popular, particularly with mobile techs. A waterless manicure…
Read MoreThis is why nail primer is so important
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, explores the two types of primer and their importance… Proper preparation of the nail plate – including the application of primer – can help eliminate service breakdown. Improper use of primer however, could cause skin and nail problems. Applying too much primer can also affect the strength of the adhesion…
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