TECHNIQUE

Katie barnes chrome guide

Chrome pigments: a nail expert shares a troubleshooting guide

By Katie Barnes | 6 April 2025

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…

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L&p acrylic vs dip powder

L&P acrylic vs dip powder nails: what’s the difference?

By Lilly Delmage | 22 March 2025

The L&P acrylic and dip powder systems are both artificial nail offerings, and popular choices for a long-lasting, durable nail finish. However, they have distinct differences. Understanding the terminology and chemistry behind the products is essential for meeting your clients’ needs. Here’s what you need to know about each system……

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Gel vs gel polish nails: What’s the difference?

By Lilly Delmage | 5 March 2025

The gel and gel polish nail systems have notable differences, and serve distinct purposes at the nail desk. Understanding their uses and benefits is essential, in order to choose the right product for each client’s nail goals. The science behind gel products In the book: Nail Therapist – A Professional…

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Crystal healing kim alexis

Why I use healing crystals in hand & foot therapies

By Scratch Staff | 4 February 2019

Kim Alexis, crystal healer, psychic spiritual medium, hypnotherapist & past life regressionist, reveals why she uses crystals in her hand & foot treatments… When a therapist massages the feet or hands, it feels so good because the physical sensation stimulated by touch sends messages from the skin’s nerve cells to the…

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Swarovski workshop

Techs add sparkle to nails at the Swarovski Crystal Heaven Workshop

By Helena Biggs | 29 January 2019

Angel Crystals, a UK distributor of Swarovski nail crystals, invited a select group of techs to a fun-filled workshop at which they jazzed up their nails with Swarovski embellishments. Scratch‘s editor-in-chief, Alex, joined me for the trip to Swarovski’s London HQ, at which we were met by Antony Arnold of…

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Katie barnes file

How to correctly file the natural nail

By Katie Barnes | 22 January 2019

We hear the myth time and time again – ‘Nail enhancements damage the nail’ – but the damage is usually caused by over-filing the natural nail before any nail products have been applied, or by incorrect removal. Over-filing of the natural nail is one of the most common causes of…

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My experience of the Sienna X Brows treatment

By Sophie Nutt | 6 December 2018

Yesterday, I was invited to Cobella Hair and Beauty Salon in the sumptuous area of Kensington, London, to try the brand new Sienna X Brows range and treatment. Recently, Sienna X revealed its very own brow tint range for techs and therapists to offer to their clients as an add-on to…

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Helena & jamie hd brows

Shaped, styled & made up with HD Brows in Harley Street

By Helena Biggs | 28 November 2018

When an invite from HD Brows creeps into the Scratch inbox, I’m the first to snap it up – as the treatment tames my unruly, unshapely brows into sisters that look oh-so fabulous. I headed to London’s 1 Harley Street for an appointment with the brand’s international brow expert, Jamie…

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Woman burn hand

Katie Barnes on… preventing burns from flammable nail products

By Katie Barnes | 20 November 2018

With such an increased report in allergies and accidents occurring with nail products from not just home users, but ‘professional’ nail technicians, I believe that there needs to be a call for better education on the situation. Creating beautiful nails is an art but one of the most forgotten and…

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