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 nail maintenance infill

Nail enhancements: How, why & when to maintain them

By Katie Barnes | 10 August 2022

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…

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Katie barnes nail infill feature

How to reduce your nail infill time

By Katie Barnes | 7 June 2022

Infill and maintenance services can be the bane of a tech’s life, taking a considerable amount of time, and often undercharging for the time spent.   However, a lot less time is required than you would think. I am going to share my top tips on infill and maintenance procedures…

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Nail manicure filing

Nail talk: The importance of parallel side walls

By Katie Barnes | 3 May 2022

Parallel side walls run from the side wall to the upper arch of the nail, starting at the cuticle zone and ending at the free edge. These sides help to give the nail enhancement a slim and slender appearance and they must mirror each other. It is a term heard…

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French pedicure katie barnes

How to perfect the French pedicure

By Katie Barnes | 20 April 2022

If you thought the French manicure was a thing of the past, think again. Colourful twists on the traditional style are ever-popular, and the look continues to be a go-to for bridal and versatile, year-round styles. How big should be French edge be? A French tip should mimic the natural…

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Halo polibuild reverse french

How-to: Reverse French using Halo’s Polibuild

By Guest Writer | 10 January 2021

The team at Pure Nails share how to create French style nail designs using the reverse technique and Halo’s PoliBuild system… Are you seeking an enhancement system that’s speedy to apply – but that offers super strength? Halo PoliBuild Precision Gel combines the benefits acrylic and hard gel to create a system…

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Katie barnes nail shapes

How to file 5 different nail shapes for your clients

By Katie Barnes | 7 January 2021

Educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to file various nail shapes for your client… When filing nail shapes on enhancements, it is important to remember that the way your form is fitted and how you build the product is paramount for the correct shape and longevity of the…

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