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Left-handed nail tech? Here’s how to adapt your tool kit

By Katie Barnes | 13 August 2025

It is assumed that when working left-handed, you just work the opposite way. But if you are leftie, you will know this is a myth. The majority of the population is right-handed, and so the majority of nail products and techniques are tailored to right-handed techs. Having to adapt to…

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The UK heatwave: Is it affecting your nail products?

By Katie Barnes | 12 August 2025

Educator & award-winning nail pro, Katie Clark, reveals why hot weather may impact your nail products and services… Most techs will have noticed a difference in their L&P acrylic and gel systems during different temperatures and seasons, with changes being particularly noticeable during periods of very warm weather. Temperature and…

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Onycholysis: what is it & how can it be treated?

By Jess Watts | 31 July 2025

Let’s talk the causes of onycholysis, aka nail separation, how to prevent and what to do when it’s presented at the nail desk… Picture this: you scrape your knee and pop a plaster over the top to help it heal. Three days later, that plaster has started to lift. At…

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What’s the difference between acrylic & gel?

By Katie Barnes | 1 September 2022

The word ‘gel’ lends itself to confusion because it describes the product’s physical state, but over time it has turned into a generic name of the product category. Whereas ‘acrylic’ is a two-part system of liquid and powder, often known as L&P. Where the powder in this two-part system has…

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‘Free exposure’ doesn’t pay the bills… or does it?

By Katie Barnes | 23 August 2022

If you’re a creative of some kind, whether a nail tech, educator or content creator, then you’ve probably come across the offer of exposure for free work. More often than not, this request comes from a successful, well established individual or business. The paradox is, if they are so successful,…

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5 ways to keep nail salon appointment books busy this summer

By Guest Writer | 27 July 2022

Beauty business expert and founder of Beauty Boss HQ, Layla Tourh, serves up advice for keeping the appointment books busy during the summer months… As we enter the summer holidays, we know to expect an increase in the obvious summer trending services, such as waxing, spray tans, and pedicures, but we…

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How to use salon towels more sustainably

By Green Salon Collective | 25 July 2022

Green Salon Collective (GSC) was founded in 2020 by environmental experts, campaigners and beauty professionals, with an aim to help member salons in the UK and Ireland to responsibly dispose of their waste. In this blog, Stephanie Hodgson, head of research and development at GSC, reveals the Collective’s top tips…

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How to recycle metals from your nail business

By Green Salon Collective | 28 June 2022

Green Salon Collective (GSC) was founded in 2020 by environmental experts, campaigners and beauty professionals, with an aim to help member salons in the UK and Ireland to responsibly dispose of their waste. In this blog, the Collective details how to ensure your business’ metal waste is properly recycled –…

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Revealed: Why the angle in which you use your tools is important

By Katie Barnes | 21 June 2022

In a previous blog post for Scratch, we covered the importance of correctly holding your nail brush for success. This covers angles and where on the brush you hold.   This is no different for nail tools or other implements we may use throughout the nail service. If your tools…

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