LEARN & compete

PB North, on September 25–26, sees the return of live stages and competitions. Upgrade your education with industry leaders across three stages. Nail techs, get your brushes at the ready and take part in our nail competitions, with 11 categories to choose from

Business and Digital Skills

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Take a look at the unmissable speaker sessions on the Business and Digital Skills live stage, with everything you need to know about running a salon or spa.

Speakers from all corners of the industry will bring advice on attracting and retaining clients, managing your team, maximising your profits and staying on top of your social media.

Session spotlight:

Identify and eliminate the “profit vampires” that suck money out of your business

Kelly Shaw, salon business coach and founder of k:SPA, will be sharing a simple formula you can use to check for “profit vampires” in your business so that you don’t end up doing too much work for too little reward.

Speaking about her session, Shaw says, “Did you know that 80% of your profits come from just 20% of the treatments on your price list? If you focus on this 20% – the treatments, you do the most – that will naturally increase the profits you make.

“You should also price your treatments for profit. I work with a pence per minute formula. The costs involved and the profit I want to make from each treatment is included so that I know I’m going to be making money from everything I charge. Work to a budget and keep control of your costs. Make sure that you’re demanding and expecting value for money for every penny you spend. Talk to suppliers and make sure you’re getting the best deal; every penny you save goes straight towards your profits.” Catch Shaw’s speaker session on Sunday, September 25, at 3pm.

For the full Business and Digital Skills live stage programme, visit
professionalbeauty.co.uk/northbusinessskills

Skin and Advanced Treatments

Sponsored by

This programme is designed for professionals looking to expand their knowledge on some of the latest advanced treatments on the market.

Session spotlight:

Understand the truth behind active ingredients, and how they can be used in treatment and homecare

Andrew Hansford, global education ambassador and director of ACHaesthetics, says, “In my talk I’m going to be targeting what the true-blue actives are and how they work in the skin system. For example, you have a wide variety of vitamin As out there, some which are suitable for certain skins and others which aren’t. Meanwhile, Vitamin C is suitable for most people but there are situations when it isn’t. This is something I’ll discuss.

“I want to get across an understanding of how you would prescribe these particular actives for particular conditions, as well as things like for different client age groups, because this is relevant too.

“Therapists should be cautious about overdoing it with actives – alittle goes a long way, and you can have too much of a good thing. The ones you need to be more concerned about are retinols because they can be inflammatory and cause skin issues at certain times, but again this is based on what the retinol is.

“I’ll be going through the most talkedabout active ingredients as standalone, but also how they can be used in combination in clinic. I also really want to get the point across that nowadays it’s a 50/50 relationship between us and the client – we do our job in the clinic, then they need to do their job at home. You need to make sure that they’re supporting and maintaining what we do in clinic.

For the full Skin and Advanced Treatments live stage programme:
professionalbeauty.co.uk/northadvancedtreatments

Did you know

PB North visitors can collect CPD points after each live stage session by visiting the VTCT stand – you just need to show your ticket and you’ll receive a certificate.

Trends and Techniques

Looking to brush up your techniques and learn top tips from industry leaders? PB North’s Trends and Techniques stage has the education sessions for you.

Our experts will be sharing their best tips and tricks on everything from brows and make-up to nail art trends and waxing techniques.

Session spotlight:

Getting your make-up application right on different skin tones.

Victoria Robinson, make-up artist and beauty educator, will demonstrate how to choose the right foundation tone for your clients’ skin.

“First of all, look at your wrists to find your undertone,” advises Robinson. “Are your veins green, blue or a mixture of both? Do you suit silver or gold jewellery?”

“Foundations tend to come in three undertones – cool, neutral and warm – but sometimes it can be a mixture of two. To find the perfect shade for your client, apply a little along their jawline, making sure that it blends in with the face and neck.”

You can watch Robinson’s speaker session on Monday, September 26, at 11am.

For the full Trends and Techniques stage programme, visit professionalbeauty.co.uk/northtrendsandtechniques

Nail competitions

Competitors can show off their skills and battle it out for the chance to win prizes and raise their profile in the industry. The categories at this year’s show include:

• Competition Nail (75 mins): Create the perfect, classic competition nail in pink and white in a system of your choice (liquid and powder or UV cured gel products) with either tip and overlay or sculpt. One hand (two nails painted, three nails in finished product). Level: Student and nail professional.

• Learn a Skill (60 mins demo/prep & 60 mins competition floor): Watch the live skill demo, learn a skill, repeat the skill, and put your twist on the skill. No model is needed because you’re working on four supplied tips. Level: Open.

• Pink and White Extreme Nail (105 mins): Create the perfect extreme nail shapes in pink and white (French) in a system of your choice (liquid and powder or UV cured product). Level: Open.

• Salon Nail (60 mins): Create the perfect salon nail in pink and white in a system of your choice (liquid and powder or UV cured product) with either tip and overlay or sculpt. Level: Open.

• Manicure (45 mins): Show your manicure skills and how you care for the natural nail and surrounding skin. Complete a standard manicure across both hands with polish on one hand only to include French and dark. Level: Student and nail professional.

• UV Gel Polish (50 mins): Demonstrate your perfection gel polish application and showcase your skills showing cuticle work and file and shape. Level: Student and nail professional.

• Salon Nail Art Challenge (30 mins): Decorate a pre-painted nail (natural or enhancement) with a seasonal design to match your client’s needs and lifestyle (competitors to provide a mood board at the time of judging). Level: Open.

• Shape of Your Art (120 mins): Create your preferred extreme nail shape and let your imagination go wild! Embed or embellish these nails in a design of your choice. Your choice of system (liquid and powder or UV cured product). Level: Open.

• Fantasy Showcase (60 mins): This category will be judged by Hazel Dixon and her team. You will need to create your design in your own venue and on the day bring your creation and your model to dress and prepare in the style of your choice, bringing your ideas to life. Level: Student and nail professional. For more on the nail competitions and to enter visit professionalbeauty.co.uk/NorthNailChampionships