Posts by Katie Barnes
How to maintain your nail enhancements
There are so many terms regarding nail enhancement maintenance appointments, such as back-fills, fill, fill-in, touch-up and maintenance – and it can often seem quite complex to both nail techs to understand what the difference is. Most clients seem to be familiar with the term ‘infills’ but this isn’t always the enhancement maintenance service that…
Read MoreHere’s why nails may look dull after applying cuticle oil
You’ve created a beautiful set of nails; you apply cuticle oil then go to capture a photo and notice that the glossy sheen has suddenly gone dull. So, what causes this? Firstly, ensure that your gel polish is fully cured. If it has not completely cured, then the shine will be removed from the enhancement…
Read MoreWhat is meant by a ‘medium’ in the nail industry?
What is meant by a ‘medium’ in the nail industry? A ‘medium’ refers to the materials or decorative techniques used to create the nail service, such as liquid & powder acrylic, acrygel, gel, gel polish, nail polish or even nail art products that you are using, such as gel paint or watercolour paints. It can…
Read MoreConfused by Chuck? Puzzled by RPM? Here’s e-file lingo explained…
Confused by Chuck? Puzzled by RPM? Here’s e-file lingo explained… There are a lot of words associated with e-filing, and they can be confusing. Learning the lingo and terminology can give you more confidence in your e-file practice and, in turn, give your clients more confidence and reassurance that you know your stuff. E-File An…
Read MoreHow to manage quiet spells in the salon
Every beauty business will come across quiet periods of footfall and a common time for this can be right before the busy festive season. As savvy business owners, you must think of ideas that boost profits and productivity in such times, whenever your business may experience this. Boosting profits During the months that you know…
Read MoreHow to know where to cut your nail forms
No two clients’ nails are alike, and no two nails on the same client are alike. They will grow at different angles and have different free edge shapes. Therefore, when fitting a nail form, it is essential to tailor it to fit each nail seamlessly. If a nail form isn’t fitted properly, then issues will…
Read MoreWhat is the function of the free edge of the nail?
To understand the function of the free edge or nail tip, we must firstly understand how and why the nail grows. The function of the nail is to protect the outermost bone of the finger or toe, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. The fingertips contain a lot of sensory endings that…
Read MoreWhat’s the difference between acrylic & gel?
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 already been polymerised to its…
Read More‘Free exposure’ doesn’t pay the bills… or does it?
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, then why can’t and won’t…
Read MoreNail 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 for their nail needs There…
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