Nail 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…
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Revealed: Why the angle in which you use your tools is important
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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How to reduce your nail infill time
Infill and maintenance services can be the bane of a tech’s life, taking a considerable amount of time, and often undercharging for the time spent. However, a lot less time is required than you would think. I am going to share my top tips on infill and maintenance procedures…
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How to effectively fit a form to a wide nail
It can be tricky to fit a form on an uneven free edge or when the fleshy pad of skin where the free edge would usually be, is raised and higher than or level with the nail plate. The nail plate is often flat or may be concave. This can…
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Nail talk: The importance of parallel side walls
Parallel side walls run from the side wall to the upper arch of the nail, starting at the cuticle zone and ending at the free edge. These sides help to give the nail enhancement a slim and slender appearance and they must mirror each other. It is a term heard…
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Scratch Stars Awards: Am I good enough?
So many techs think they aren’t good enough or ready to compete in industry competitions, such as the Scratch Stars Awards. I have news for you – no one is ever 100% ready. If you wait until you are ready, you’ll never achieve your goals. Having low confidence isn’t necessary…
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How to turn your nail tech technique flaws into strengths to earn more
Whether it’s trying to paint a symmetrical heart or fitting nail forms, there is always a particular technique that every individual struggles with. Recognising and accepting your weaknesses is the first step. Breaking down each step into individual stages can help achieve success with these struggles. For example, when trying…
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Katie Barnes launches KB Educate nail education courses
Get excited – multi award-winning nail expert, Katie Barnes, has created expert education courses under the name of KB Educate. Courses are taught by experienced nail and beauty professionals, selected and trained by Katie herself, who has three Scratch Stars Awards to her name. The courses are current, comprehensive, meet…
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Is teaching nail courses the next step for you?
Have you changed your career focus since the start of the pandemic? Something you may have started, already be toying with, or not yet even considered, is education. Teaching is not for everyone. It takes a very specific skill set to teach. Being exceptional at the subject in hand, does…
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What to charge for your nail art services
As well as experimenting with your creative skills, adding nail art to your services is an opportunity to increase your revenue – so make sure you are charging correctly for it. A question I come across at least once a day, is how much should I be charging for my…
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Nail & beauty pros: Should you still wear full PPE?
Some nail techs have always worn it, with others only introducing it since the Covid-19 outbreak. But should you always wear PPE? The short answer is yes. PPE has always been a requirement of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) for nail techs. PPE can include items such as…
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When is a contraindication preventative or restrictive to a nail treatment?
A contraindication is a pre-existing medical condition that could either put you or your client at risk if the treatment was carried out. There are four types of contraindications which are illnesses you will come across. These are viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Another contraindication would be certain medications…
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Nail techs, here’s how you can prevent hand & wrist pain
Scratch sources advice for those that suffer with hand and wrist pain, so you can stop feeling the strain… Samantha Sweet, co-founder of Sweet Squared, shares that repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome will always be a likelihood for pros, due to the nature of the job. “Filing is the…
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How to create an ombré nail style
The ombré look is a popular nail style choice, particularly when created using with pink and white shades to replace a traditional French finish. Perfecting it can be a bit challenging however, especially when you’re under the watchful eyes of your clients and time restraints of the appointment. There are…
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Put down the file! Here’s why you need to focus on L&P brush techniques
As a liquid & powder user, it is important to learn to sculpt mainly with the brush and not rely on filing to shape the enhancement. This is exactly what ‘sculpting’ is. By definition sculpting is ‘to create or represent (something) by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.’ Whether we…
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