TECHNIQUE

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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Nail Biting Picking

How to stop nail biting & picking: experts share treatment plans to break the habit

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 February 2025

Finalists in the Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year category 2024 share tips for nail biting and picking clients… Why do people bite and pick at their nails and skin? “Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, and skin picking and biting, named perionychophagia, are habits associated with stress,…

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Katie barnes

This is why nail primer is so important

By Katie Barnes | 31 January 2017

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…

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Daily mail incorrect removal

How to remove enhancements without damaging nails

By Katie Barnes | 24 January 2017

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…

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Kissed by mii mid tan

Why you should train to offer tanning this year

By Guest Writer | 10 January 2017

In the first of her 2017 blog posts, Kissed by Mii tanning expert, Shelley Henderson, reveals why there’s no time like the present to add tanning to your service menu… I remember when I caught the tanning bug. I was studying fashion and business at college, regularly working with models. I…

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