Beauty Tech Innovations Blog

On June 22nd, I had the pleasure of attending The Summer Mixer, a nail networking event hosted at the stylish Harcourt Hotel in Dublin. From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and community spirit. The day kicked off with a generous goodie bag at entry—packed with so many amazing products that it truly felt like the ticket price alone was worth it. After that, everyone gathered outdoors to enjoy a delicious barbecue, complete with refreshing drinks and plenty of laughter. What made the event so special, though, was the people. It was such a joy to connect with fellow nail technicians, share stories from our journeys in the industry, and exchange tips and inspiration. Events like this remind me just how powerful it is to bring our community together. To top it all off, a raffle was held with an incredible selection of prizes. I was especially excited to see one of our very own Beauty Tech Innovations products,the AuraLux Cordless Nail Lamp—included among the giveaways. The Summer Mixer was more than just a networking event; it was a celebration of creativity, connection, and the thriving nail industry here in Ireland. I left feeling inspired, motivated, and grateful to be part of such a passionate community.

Understanding Nail Allergies: What Every Nail Tech Needs to Know As a nail technician, moments like this are not only stressful—they're a wake-up call. Allergic reactions to nail products can happen suddenly, even to long-time clients. Whether it’s redness, blisters, or irritation, these symptoms may indicate a nail-related allergy, and it’s your responsibility as a professional to understand what might have gone wrong—and how to prevent it in the future. This guide is here to help you! What Exactly Is a Nail Allergy? A nail allergy is an immune system response to certain ingredients commonly found in nail products such as gels, acrylics, monomers, primers, or even gloves. Allergic reactions can occur immediately or develop over time with repeated exposure. Common symptoms include:Itchy or inflamed fingertipsSkin blisters or rash around the nail areaSwelling or redness on the face, neck, or eyes These symptoms often mimic other skin conditions, so proper identification and quick response are critical. Ingredients Nail Techs Should Know & Watch For When reviewing product labels or MSDS sheets, keep an eye out for: HEMA (common allergen in gels) Toluene (a solvent in polish) Formaldehyde/Formic Aldehyde (a hardening agent) Camphor Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) Ethyl Methacrylate (EMA) & Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) Pro Tip: Always ask your supplier for the MSDS. This document provides full ingredient breakdowns and safety handling procedures. If they can't provide it, that’s a red flag. Maintaining high hygiene and safety standards is essential for every nail tech. Always clean and disinfect your tools, workstation, and hands before and after each client. Wear nitrile gloves to protect your skin, and avoid letting any product touch the client’s skin, especially uncured gels or acrylics. Only use products from the same system or brand to prevent chemical reactions, and always cure according to manufacturer instructions to avoid under-curing. Most importantly, stay educated. Regularly update your knowledge on product safety and allergy prevention. A clean, careful, and informed practice keeps both you and your clients safe. What to Do If You Experience a Reaction (As a Nail Tech)1. Remove the Product Immediately take off any enhancement using safe removal methods (soaking, filing, etc.) to prevent further exposure. 2. Cleanse & Protect Wash your hands with a gentle, fragrance-free soap. Avoid using acetone or other irritants directly on broken or inflamed skin. 3. Seek Medical Help Book an appointment with a dermatologist. They may prescribe corticosteroid creams or recommend patch testing to identify allergens. 4. Record the Reaction Keep a record of: What products were used How long the symptoms took to appear Any previous reactions 5. Reassess Your Product Lineup Switch to hypoallergenic or HEMA-free systems, and update your salon protocols to include allergy awareness for all staff.

One Year of Beauty Tech Innovations: A Reflection from the Heart Beauty Tech Innovations: Celebrating 1 Year of Growth in the Nail Industry One year ago, I took a leap of faith to bring something new to the nail industry—a business designed exclusively to provide innovative electronics for nail techs. Today, I look back with pride, love, and deep gratitude for the community that has grown with me. Earlier this year, something shifted in my personal life that made me stop and reevaluate how I care for myself not just physically, but emotionally too. That’s when I found yoga. It quickly became a space of calm, strength, and healing for me, and I knew I wanted to share that experience with others in our industry. That’s why our 1-year anniversary celebration in May was centered around wellness. We hosted a yoga session just for nail professionals, those who give so much of themselves every day. The event also included a product showcase, where we walked through all our tools and their features, a cake-cutting ceremony, tea and coffee for everyone, and space to simply chat and connect before heading off. It didn’t all go exactly to plan—as most firsts don’t—but the heart of the event was there: connection, calm, and community. In the beauty industry, we give a lot—our time, our energy, and our bodies. Long hours sitting in one position, focusing on fine details, and constantly serving others can take a real toll. That’s why I believe self-care isn’t a luxury for beauty professionals—it’s a necessity. To every supporter who believed in my vision and showed up on May 11th: thank you. You made this milestone even more meaningful. Highlights From Our First Year: Repackaging our entire product line—this took a huge amount of time, energy, and learning, but it was so worth it. A successful exhibition at the Professional Beauty Show, where we sold out 90% of our products. And now... a little teaser: we have a new product launching soon that perfectly complements one of our bestsellers. This year was just the beginning. I can’t wait to share what’s coming next—and continue building something powerful together.

Back in March, we had the incredible opportunity to exhibit at the Professional Beauty Show 2025 at the RDS in Dublin — one of the biggest nail tech events in Ireland. As a growing brand in the professional nail equipment space, it was a major moment for us. Preparing to Exhibit at a Beauty Industry Trade Show Our goal this year was to connect with salon owners and nail techs face-to-face — to build relationships and showcase the tools we’ve designed for professionals. But let’s be real — preparing for a beauty trade show isn’t glamorous. We didn’t have as much support as last year, so it took us 8 hours to build our stand, carry boxes, and plan our setup. We had the same team size, but felt the absence of just one more pair of hands. If you’re a small business or nail supplier in Ireland, we now know — plan for more help than you think you’ll need! Nail Freebies, Fast-Sellers & Crowd Favourites  We brought plenty of nail freebies for techs, but between answering questions and demoing products, we could hardly keep up! The standout product? Our Precision Glow eFile — one of the best efiles for nail techs looking for power, precision, and speed. It sold out first, with amazing feedback from techs who got to test it live at our stand. It confirmed what we hoped: high-performance efiles are a must-have tool for professional nail techs in 2025. Personal Highlights: Meeting Nail Icons One of the most special parts of the weekend was meeting Kirsty Meakin, a true nail industry icon. Britney (our founder) used to watch her YouTube videos religiously when she first started out. Getting to chat with someone who helped shape her career? That’s something we’ll never forget.  What’s Next for Beauty Tech Innovations? Exhibiting at nail shows like this reminds us why we do what we do: to empower professionals with the right tools, tech, and support. If you missed us at the Professional Beauty Show Dublin, don’t worry — we’ve got more events and launches ahead. Sign up to be the first to know where we’re exhibiting next and get early access to new products for nail professionals.

One key change I would make is being more smarter with the purchasing supplies. Initially, I bought a wide variety of gems and charms, thinking it would attract clients. However, this  led to excess supplies and unnecessary costs. A more efficient approach would have been to purchase only what was in demand or specifically requested by clients. Financial management is another area where I would have made significant changes. Opening up a business account is crucial for separating personal and business finances. This separation ensures accurate financial tracking for your accountant and compliance with banking regulations.Regularly transferring a portion of earnings into this account to cover tax obligations would have been a wise practice. Additionally, maintaining detailed records of all business transactions to track income, expenses, and profits would have provided a clearer financial picture and facilitated better planning. Setting aside money weekly or monthly for taxes could have helped avoid last-minute financial stress. Networking and professional development are vital for growth in the nail tech industry. Building relationships with other local nail technicians can offer valuable insights into the new techniques, trends, and business practices. Engaging with Nail Techs  through industry events, local or online nail tech groups, and workshops can enhance skills and knowledge. Learning from the experiences of others who have been in the industry longer can reveal what works and what doesn't. For a beginner nail tech, focusing on basics like prep and application rather than complex designs would be more beneficial. As a beginner, it’s natural to spend more time on each client compared to professionals. This extended time should be viewed as a learning opportunity. As experience and speed increase, incorporating more complex designs can be done gradually. This approach ensures that clients receive long-lasting, well-prepped nails, which are often preferred over complex designed nails with poor prep.  

A LED nail lamp emits light in a narrow range of wavelengths, typically around 365-405 nm, which means it generally cures gel polish faster than UV lamps. LED lamps have a longer lifespan, often lasting up to 50,000 hours, requiring less frequent bulb replacements. This means they are more energy-efficient. LED lamps are more comfortable for users who are sensitive to heat. They are generally more expensive upfront due to advanced technology, but they are more cost-effective in the long run due to lower energy consumption and longer lifespan. Our LED nail lamp is a 180-watt nail lamp with faster and more efficient curing times. visit our exceptional low cost LED Lamp here UV lamps emit light in a broader range of UV wavelengths, typically around 340-380 nm, which use fluorescent bulbs to produce ultraviolet light. UV lamps usually take longer to cure gel polish compared to LED lamps, which means they are not as time-efficient. UV lamps have a shorter lifespan, typically 1,000 hours for the bulbs. UV lamps require regular bulb replacements and consume more energy compared to LED lamps. UV lamps are usually less expensive initially, but long-term costs are higher due to more frequent bulb replacements and higher energy usage.  

Not sure which type of nail enhancement is right for you?  Check out the terms below to discover your perfect manicure or pedicure service.  Acrylic nails  Acrylic nails are a type of artificial nail extension that is created by combining a liquid monomer and a powdered polymer. When mixed, they form a thick paste that can be sculpted onto the natural nail or applied over a nail tip to create length and shape. Acrylic nails are popular for their durability and strength. They can last for several weeks with proper care and maintenance. Additionally, they can be customized with various colours, designs, and finishes, making them a versatile option for nail enhancement.  Gel Polish  Gel polish is a type of nail polish that is cured under a UV or LED lamp to harden and dry. It typically consists of a base coat, colour coat, and topcoat on the natural nail.  Shellac  Many clients mix up the difference between gel polish and shellac. Gel polish and CND Shellac are both types of nail polish that are cured under UV or LED lamps to harden and dry. However, there are some differences between the two:  Formulation: Gel polish is a generic term that refers to a type of nail polish that is cured under UV or LED lamps.CND Shellac, on the other hand, is a specific brand of gel polish created by Creative Nail Design (CND). While all CND Shellac products are gel polishes, not all gel polishes are CND Shellac.  Durability: Both gel polish and CND Shellac are known for their long-lasting durability compared to traditional nail polish. However, CND Shellac is often touted for its exceptional chip resistance and wearability.   Application and Removal: The application and removal processes for gel polish and CND Shellac are similar. Both can be removed using acetone or gel polish remover. However, some users may find that CND Shellac is easier to remove than other types of gel polish.    Hard gel nail extensions  Hard gel nails, also known as gel nail extensions, are a type of artificial nail enhancement that provides added length and strength to natural nails. Unlike soft gel or gel polish, which are applied over the natural nails, hard gel nails are sculpted directly onto the natural nails or nail tips using a thick gel-like substance.  BIAB nails  BIAB nails, which stands for Builder in a Bottle, is a type of nail enhancement product that combines the benefits of both gel polish and hard gel. It is a versatile and innovative system that allows for the strengthening and extension of natural nails while providing a glossy, long-lasting finish. Overall, BIAB nails offer a convenient and effective way to strengthen, extend, and beautify natural nails, providing a durable and glossy finish that lasts for weeks. They are a popular choice among nail technicians and clients alike for their versatility, durability, and natural appearance.   

Cuticle oil stimulates nail growth by keeping the cuticles moisturised and prevents them from becoming dry and damaged. The prepartury work nail technicians do on your nail plate using dehydrator dries up the nail plate for the systems to adhere onto the nail plate better. As a result of this, you want to make sure that the cuticles and nail plate are always hydrated. Cutciles play a crucial role in nail health and keeping bacteria and fungus out, preventing nail breakage but as well as that dry ragged cuticles can make even the most well-manicured nails look unkempt. Cuticle oil should be used 2-3 times a day. Cuticle oils often contains vitamins and nutrients that can nourish the nail bed, promoting stronger and healthier nails over time. But what are cuticles? The cuticle is a layer of clear skin located along the bottom edge of your finger or toe. The cuticle protects new nails from bacteria when they grow out from the nail root.  So how do you use cuticle oil?  You only need a few drops around your cuticles and underneath the free edge of the nail. Most oils work best in small quantities. Massage the oil into your cuticles and allow a few minutes to soak in.     Do not apply cuticle oil before nail treatments as this does affect the adherence of the product which causes lifting.  Why should you use the CND Solar Oil?  It contains Jojoba Oil which helps carry Vitamin E into skin to help reduce visible signs of aging. This synergistic blend of naturally light oils and Vitamin E is designed to deeply penetrate and protect skin and nails, whilst reducing the breakdown of Shellac.