New microneedling and dermaplaning protocols get skin texture in top condition, and we trial Light Elegance’s hard gel mani

Lash Perfect British

Lash Perfect British is a look created with extensions and designed to be low maintenance and suitable for clients who want a more natural effect, such as city workers, busy mums or first-time extension wearers. It is also particularly suited to fair-haired clients.

Lash Perfect has also launched a new clear adhesive, Ultimate II Clear, for use in the treatment. The look can be created using either British Tray Lashes, packs of C curl lashes from 7–12mm, or British Pre-Styled, smaller packs that contain a wider variety of different lashes per pack, including both black and brown in 0.05 and 0.15 thicknesses, from 7–10mm.

Lash Perfect advises combining black and brown to give a natural effect, and adding in some 0.15 Flat Lashes in a 9mm to add volume, some B curl in 0.07 to give a three-dimensional look, and a few longer 11 or 12mm 0.10 Lashes to add “whisp”.

The Eyelash Design Company recommends charging from £50 for the treatment. Contact the company on 020 8500 9028

Nimue Microneedling

Nimue Skin Technology has launched microneedling treatments, in which the skin is gently punctured with a cylindrical roller device studded with 192 sterile, fine, stainless steel needles.

The process stimulates the body’s natural wound healing and the production of collagen is increased, as well as creating micro-channels that enhance the penetration of active ingredients applied to the skin.

With minimal downtime, the treatment claims to refine skin texture and reduce signs of ageing while being minimally invasive and keeping the epidermal layer intact.

The treatment is suitable for walk-ins and is possible without medical supervision or anaesthetic. It is also available to clients with thinner skin who may not be able to have peels.

Nimue will be offering one-day education courses in Leeds, Dublin, Edinburgh and Bridgend for those with a Nimue Core Education and Level 3 Beauty Therapy qualification, including training in facial electrical units.

Nimue recommends charging £110 for the 60-minute treatment. Contact UK distributor Sweet Squared on 0333 000 7000

BeautyLab Dermaplaning

Skincare brand BeautyLab has created a protocol and training course for dermaplaning. Workshops are due to begin early next year, taught by celebrity facialist and international trainer Nicola Russell.

The treatment involves the controlled scraping of the skin using a sterile, surgical blade held at a 45-degree angle, which removes fine vellus hair and keratinised cells on the outer stratum corneum.

BeautyLab says there is no downtime and hair will not grow back stubbly post-treatment due to its targeting of specific hairs. As well as exfoliating the skin, the treatment is designed to minimise the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars, as well as leaving skin smooth and vibrant. Additionally, the treatment is suitable for preparing skin for peels and enzyme treatments.

Alongside hands-on skills, BeautyLab will train therapists in dermaplaning safety, competitive pricing, integration into existing BeautyLab treatments, offering it as an add-on and creating signature treatments.

BeautyLab recommends charging an additional £15–£20 for the treatment. Contact distributor Gerrard International on 0345 217 1360

This month we tried… Light Elegance Hard Gel Manicure

After doing some dry prep using Light Elegance’s Cuticle Work, Trafford tidied up my nails and removed surface shine using a 240 grit Perfect File. Excess dust was removed with Duster Brush and my nails were cleansed, before a thin layer of the brand’s bonding agent Tack was applied and left to cure for 30 seconds under an LED lamp.

With the nails ready for hard gel, Trafford applied a thin layer of self-levelling One Step in Clear using the #4 Oval Bling Brush, then cured. A layer of purple Sitting Pretty in a Penthouse from the Champagne and Caviar Collection was applied using #6 Gel Polish Bling Brush, cured for 30 seconds, and then followed by another layer, and cured.

On the accent nails, Trafford applied a layer of copper glitter Indian Summer from the Cozy up to the Fall Collection and cured for 30 seconds. The glitter was then encapsulated with a thin layer of 1-Step to even out the nail surface, cured for 30 seconds. Trafford finished with a cured layer of top coat Super Shiny and application of cuticle oil.

The verdict: I loved the finished result. The glitter was really pigmented, giving an impressive finish, and when the gel was removed my natural nails were still in good health.

Business benefits: The brand’s products are known in the nail community for their durability, so this is definitely a range to have in your arsenal if clients want longlasting results. Plus, there’s a huge variety of gels to choose from, split into categories based on the ease of use for techs, so there’s something for every skill level.

Tried by Amanda Pauley Light Elegance recommends charging from £25 for the treatment. Call UK distributor Sweet Squared on 0333 000 7000