Posts by Katie Barnes
What’s the difference between the nail plate & the nail bed?
The terminology can be confusing, but it’s crucial to understand the different parts of the nail structure, including the nail plate and the nail bed. Here, I explore the distinct characteristics of these two components and their roles. THE NAIL PLATE: what you need to know The nail plate is what we generally class as…
Read MoreRevealed: the nail & beauty products that can & can’t be recycled
Recycling is a challenge for many small businesses, particularly in terms of accessing services to process waste materials. For nail and beauty professionals, this can prove even more difficult… While specialist waste collection services do exist in some areas, they are not consistent and may prove expensive. Unfortunately, most of the waste the beauty industry…
Read MoreHow nails grow & what makes them grow faster
Although it may sound like there’s no rhyme or reason to how nails grow, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, Katie Clark (née Barnes), shares the basic factors that affect the speed of growth. The standard rate of growth of a normal fingernail is between 0.5-1.2mm per week, but…
Read MoreWhat it means to have half moons on your nails
Fingernail half moons are the rounded, white shadows at the base of the nails. The industry term for this is lunula, which is Latin for ‘little moon’. The place where each nail begins growing is known as the matrix. This is where new cells are made that will make up the nail. The lunula is…
Read MoreHow heatwaves are impacting nail techs & tips to adapt services
As global temperatures rise, we’re not just feeling the heat at home – it’s making a serious impact in the nail space. From runny products to skin reactions, recent UK heatwaves have put nail techs under pressure to rethink how they work, the products they use and how to manage salon environments. This isn’t just…
Read MoreIs it nail mould? Nail expert explores greenies
Award-winning nail stylist & educator, Katie Barnes, gets to grips with greenies… Lead image courtesy of Instagram.com/nailsavvyy, showing a new client’s nails presenting greenies. A problem that I have come across far too often in the industry is ‘mould’ on client’s nails – more commonly known as ‘greenies’. But what is this? Is it mould?…
Read MoreLeft-handed nail tech? Here’s how to adapt your tool kit
It is assumed that when working left-handed, you just work the opposite way. But if you are leftie, you will know this is a myth. The majority of the population is right-handed, and so the majority of nail products and techniques are tailored to right-handed techs. Having to adapt to right-handed working ways and tools…
Read MoreThe UK heatwave: Is it affecting your nail products?
Educator & award-winning nail pro, Katie Clark, reveals why hot weather may impact your nail products and services… Most techs will have noticed a difference in their L&P acrylic and gel systems during different temperatures and seasons, with changes being particularly noticeable during periods of very warm weather. Temperature and additional UV exposure can greatly…
Read MoreNail expert: the importance of parallel sidewalls for a beautiful nail finish
Award-winning nail technician & Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education founder, Katie Clark, offers insight… Parallel sidewalls start at the cuticle zone and end at the free edge. They mirror each other and help to give a nail enhancement a slim and slender appearance. The term, ‘parallel sidewalls’, is frequently heard on the competition circuit,…
Read MoreHow to nail the French tip pedicure
Katie Clark, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, answers questions about perfecting the French pedi… How big should the French tips be? A French tip should mimic the natural free edge of the nail. Estimate how long the client will wait between appointments, plus how quickly the nails will…
Read MoreChrome pigments: a nail expert shares a troubleshooting guide
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 manufacturer about any queries. Chipping…
Read MoreNail anatomy: essential parts of the nail every nail technician should know
As a nail professional, it is paramount that you familiarise yourself with all parts of nail anatomy to ensure you are offering your clients a professional and thorough service. Understanding the purpose and growth of the nail The primary function of the nail is to protect the outermost bone of the finger or toe, the…
Read MoreWhat is a nail habit-tic & can it be treated?
When a client sits at your nail desk and presents you with a nail like the below, you may wonder whether it is a contraindication that you should not treat. This is habit-tic deformity. Most commonly seen on the thumbnails, this nail condition is usually a result of onychotillomania: a compulsive and repetitive habit of…
Read MoreHome gel kit dangers & 6 ways to prevent allergies at the nail desk
Many people turned to DIY nail kits during the coronavirus lockdown. They may have been visiting a nail pro for months, years or even decades – before suddenly, the luxury of a nail appointment was gone, and some saw a solution in home application of gel polish. DIY home kits have always been readily available:…
Read MoreWhy lifting can happen when using builder gel in a bottle & how to deal with it
Since the rise in popularity of builder gels in bottles, I have noticed an increase in issues. When gel polish came onto the scene, many techs added this service to their menu, but did not carry out training in this medium; assuming it was the same as previous services. It is important to remember that…
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