Posts by Katie Barnes
How 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 MoreAgainst the clock: How to nail your treatment timings
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, offers advice on honing your treatment times… Everyone these days is in a rush and wanting things done as efficiently but expertly as possible. As a business, you want to provide your service in a reasonable time while still ensuring the best result you can. Getting…
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 MoreWhy you should continue training as a nail tech
Educator and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, explores why you should go back to basics in regard to your personal development. Going ‘back to basics’ can mean different things to different nail techs, such as improving the way you apply polish, ensuring you take repeat bookings or quickening your application time. Many techs think due to the fact…
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…
Read MoreHow to remove enhancements without damaging nails
Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to remove enhancements correctly – and what happens if you don’t. One of the biggest nail myths is that ‘nails need to breathe’. Nails are made up of several layers of dead, compacted cells and do not have the capability to breathe or absorb…
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