How heatwaves are impacting nail techs & tips to adapt services
As global temperatures rise, we’re not just feeling the heat at home – it’s making a serious impact in the nail space. From runny products to skin reactions, recent UK heatwaves have put nail techs under pressure to rethink how they work, the products they use and how to manage…
Left-handed nail tech? Here’s how to adapt your tool kit
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…
Nail expert: the importance of parallel sidewalls for a beautiful nail finish
Award-winning nail technician & Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education founder, Katie Clark, offers insight… Parallel sidewalls start at the cuticle zone and end at the free edge. They mirror each other and help to give a nail enhancement a slim and slender appearance. The term, ‘parallel sidewalls’, is frequently…
How to nail the French tip pedicure
Katie Clark, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, answers questions about perfecting the French pedi… How big should the French tips be? A French tip should mimic the natural free edge of the nail. Estimate how long the client will wait between appointments, plus…
Chrome pigments: a nail expert shares a troubleshooting guide
Educator & award-winning nail pro, Katie Clark, offers advice for dealing with issues that can arise when using chrome pigments… The chrome nail trend is ever-popular, but are you applying chrome products correctly? Each brand may have slightly different instructions, so always follow these and get in touch with the…
What is a nail habit-tic & can it be treated?
When a client sits at your nail desk and presents you with a nail like the below, you may wonder whether it is a contraindication that you should not treat. This is habit-tic deformity. Most commonly seen on the thumbnails, this nail condition is usually a result of onychotillomania: a…
What’s the difference between diamond, carbide & silicone E-file bits? A nail expert explains
E-file bits are made from different materials, come in different shapes, sizes and styles and have different purposes and benefits, says Katie Clark, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education. There are some bits which must only be used for certain techniques, otherwise it is…
Nailchemy & KB Tool Range announce collaboration – with 3 big benefits for nail pros
Katie Barnes Tool Range, a provider of nail tools, and nail product house, Nailchemy, have unveiled a product-focused partnership. Keen to elevate the experience of the nail technician, the brands are offering the KB Portable E-File and Nailchemy Dust Collector at promotional prices, to support the efficiency, precision and health…
A guide to taking care of your nail tools & brushes
They’re the most essential items in your kit bag, so refresh your knowledge on storing, cleaning and maintaining nail tools and brushes… “With all tools, the general rule should be that if you can feel a loss of efficacy or you’re having to change your technique, it’s time to replace…
Here’s why nail tools discolour & corrode – & how to prevent this
Maintaining high-quality nail tools is essential for delivering safe and professional nail services to clients. However, have you ever wondered why some of your nail tools – particularly metal ones – develop discolouration, tarnish and corrosion? Understanding the factors that contribute to these issues can help you prolong the lifespan…
Revealed: The beauty products that can & can’t be recycled
Recycling is a challenge for small businesses, particularly in terms of getting hold of services or outlets for the small volumes of waste materials that are produced. For beauty and nail professionals, this can prove even more difficult. While some specialist collection services do exist in some areas, they are…
E-files: Understanding use, RPM, torque & more
Get to grips with E-files as Scratch explores use, key features, care tips and more… The use of an E-file in a nail service can significantly speed up the shaping and filing process, as well as reduce the physically demanding and repetitive use of hand files. “Some nail technicians are…
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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