Posts by Katie Barnes
Where to safely purchase your nail products
In a time of financial crisis both home users and professionals may be turning to third-party online retailers and auction sites to purchase what they assume is a genuine but cheaper cosmetic nail product. When I discuss third-party online retailers, I am not referring to an educator or wholesaler that is an authorised sub-distributor of…
Read MoreHow to keep your salon secure during lockdown
In any business, the most important consideration is safety. Without a safe work environment you, your staff, and customers will be at risk and you will not be insured. The second most significant concern is often overlooked; security. During these current times, your business can become more vulnerable and it is essential to make sure…
Read MoreBusiness considerations you need to make – despite closure due to coronavirus
For business owners, much of this week may have involved considerable time spent on hold on the phone. On hold to the landlord, local authorities, energy and water companies, business advisors, accountants and insurance companies, to name just a few. I took the decision on the first government recommendation on social distancing to close my…
Read MoreCoronavirus: 7 ideas to help your business survive tough times
As nail technicians and beauty therapists, our customer appointments rely on face-to-face contact for us to perform our services and earn income. We are all aware of the impending detrimental effects that the current global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on our nail and beauty businesses. Now is the time to start planning and…
Read MoreCoronavirus fears: A review of salon hygiene practices
With Coronavirus spreading at a rapid rate across the globe, Katie Barnes reflects on sanitation, disinfection and sterilisation procedures in the beauty sphere to help prevent the spread of any infection… In the nail salon, we are in constant contact with a a number of people every day. Sometimes, we can become lapse with hygiene…
Read MoreWhy you need to know the difference between the nail convex & concave
One of the most important yet surpassed elements of a nail enhancement is the convex and concave. Firstly, lets explain what the convex and concave is: Convex: The exterior curve of the nail enhancement. Concave: The interior curve or “the tunnel” of the nail enhancement. The convex and concave should be identical and symmetrical through the…
Read MoreFace-to-face vs. online nail education
In the last decade, online learning in the nail industry has become increasingly popular. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of both learning methods. It doesn’t have to be online learning vs face to face learning; a case of one or the other. Instead, these can work hand in hand to provide valuable learning and…
Read MoreHow to write a winning competition entry
With the Scratch Stars Awards 2020 open for entry from 1-28 February, multi-winner, Katie Barnes, reveals her tips for a winning entry… Preparation is one of the key elements to success. Are you looking at entering the Scratch Star Awards this year? In this blog, I share my top tips to give you the best…
Read MoreHow to create a crisp smile line with the gel system
Smile lines can be a nail tech’s nemesis. With the introduction of gel paint and gel polish, the need for sculpted smile lines has faded. While I love the look of a crisp, sculpted smile line, time constraints and trends means that more and more clients are requesting varied finishes; from ombré to plain colour…
Read MoreHow to manage your nail client’s expectations
Many clients bring pictures of nail designs that they have found on social media to the nail desk and want us to recreate the exact nails from the photograph. While to some techs, having an image to work from is a safety blanket, many dread being presented with this. Nail technicians use nails as tiny…
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