Down Breaking Barriers Catwalk CLAWS
Managing work life as a left-handed tech
Nail techs share how they navigate challenges to flourish in their careers
KATIE CLARK
Multi award-winning nail pro, educator & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range www.katiebarnesacademy.com
/KatieBarnesToolRange
@katiebarnes.toolrange
@katiebarnestoolrange
Most education and salon setups are tailored for right-handed pros. In my early training experiences, demos were shown from a right-hand angle, and as a left-handed student, I had to mirror movements and navigate visibility issues. In salons, I’ve found desks, lamp placement and client positioning to be default to right-handed flow, so I have needed to rearrange things to avoid discomfort when working.
Standard scissors and some nippers are designed with right-handed blade geometry, plus there are myths that left-handed E-file users must work with special bits and only in reverse direction. However, this can create resistance, skipping and a poor finish.
Three things changed my career for the better. These include ambidextrous setups: placing the nail desk and products in a suitable left-handed position. A dual-direction E-file and universal bits that allow me to pair the direction to my movement have also supported me, alongside tools designed for left-hand use.
This image demonstrates the difference between E-file bits that work one way and those that work universally.
Tool talk
Katie Barnes Tool Range is engineered with left-handers in mind. The KB Curved Cuticle Scissors use blade geometry and pivot placement to improve visibility from a left-hand eyeline, with spring handle options that reduce grip tension – ensuring crisp cuts with confidence. Many of our tools are ambidextrous, so mixed teams can share. The KB E-file Bits work in both directions, and our E-files can switch between forward and reverse directions to match strokes.
I recommend that left-handed techs use KB Curved Cuticle Scissors and E-file Bits, available via www.katiebarnesacademy.com
Tips for left-handed techs
• Control your layout. Place equipment in a position that means your dominant hand has a clear path and your line of sight isn’t blocked. Rotate the client or your chair a few degrees, rather than contorting your wrist.
• Match E-file rotation to your stroke. Use forward and reverse directions intentionally. If you feel pull, skipping or resistance, you’re probably running the wrong rotation for that stroke. Universal E-file bits make this seamless.
• Choose tools for left-handed use. For example, scissors with suitable blade alignment and a spring handle reduce strain and improve accuracy.
• Challenge myths. These include the misconception that left-handers require dedicated E-file bits. Many E-file techniques require both directions to be used, which is why I favour non-directional bits.
What right-handed pros should know...
Left-handed techs aren’t working ‘the opposite way’. Small design choices, for example where the hinge sits on scissors, which side a lamp shadows or how a demo is angled, can hugely impact our work.
SCARLETT SENTER
Multi award-winning nail artist, educator & competition judge
/scarlettsenternailartist
@scarlett_senternailartist
@scarlettsenter
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a left-handed nail tech has been adapting to a right-handed world – from the setup of training materials and tools, to the layout of salon stations. When training, I often had to mirror demonstrations or adjust my hand positioning to make techniques work comfortably. However, being left-handed has made me more flexible and creative with my techniques, and taught me patience and adaptability.
Over time, I’ve learned that small adjustments are necessary for my comfort when working. I invest in ambidextrous tools and set up my nail station to suit my dominant hand. I position my lamp, tools and E-file on my left side to help me work comfortably and efficiently.
Tips for left-handed techs
Stop trying to fit into a right-handed world – make it fit you! It might take trial and error, but move your tools around, flip video tutorials and once you figure out what feels natural, everything will click. The more you adapt to ensure you’re comfortable, the more confident and consistent your work will be. Being left-handed gives you an edge – you develop strong spatial awareness, adaptability and creativity.
What right-handed pros should know...
I wish more right-handed people realised how much left-handers need to adapt every day. Most tools aren’t designed for us, and while left-handers are often skilled at figuring out their own methods, adaptations like mirroring techniques when educating or keeping nail stations flexible make a big difference. It’s not about special treatment: it’s about equal comfort and the opportunity to do our best work.
CLARE HANSON
Owner of Clare Hanson Nail Artist, Leeds &
Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year
finalist 2025 www.clarehansonnailartist.com
/clarehansonnailartist
@clarehansonnailartist
@clarehansonnailartist
Being left-handed slowed my progress at the start of my nail journey. Hand-eye coordination and techniques didn’t work as educators demonstrated. I learned to adapt (albeit sometimes badly) and teach myself certain techniques. In fact, I’ve taught myself to work in both left-handed and right-handed ways. I’m by no means perfect at this, but being able to switch hands helps reduce strain on my joints and allows me to work more comfortably and efficiently.
A tip for left-handed techs
Try to find left-handed or ambidextrous educators, or let educators know you’re left-handed so need extra guidance. Be patient with yourself and them, as it might be their first experience teaching a left-handed pro.
What right-handed pros should know...
Although people assume that nail techniques are simply opposite for left-handed techs, they are actually very different – whether that’s filing, product application or creating nail art. The flow, stroke, pat or press of a technique may be natural for a right-handed pro, but can seem alien to left-handers. Therefore, learning can take extra thought and practice.
DENISE SPRAGG
Pedicure specialist & co-founder of The Sangha House, Taunton www.thesanghahouse.co.uk
/sanghahouse
@thesanghahouse
Many aspects of the nail industry are set up for right-handed techs, from the position of lamp leads to the design of nail tools and E-files. An increase in left-handed tools on the market has made things a lot easier, but these aren’t sold universally.
Tips for left-handed techs
Source left-handed nail tools and take time to think about your setup. Shop around to find a desk with storage on the suitable side, ensure plug sockets are in the correct place so wires don’t trail across you and place your tool kit in a position that works for you.
What right-handed pros should know...
It would be great for right-handed people to have more awareness of how left-handers must navigate life. I’ve come to look at being left-handed as more of an endearing quirk than a disadvantage.
“Most education and salon setups are tailored for right-handed pros.”
ESTHER DAWSON Nail tech with 19 years’ experience & owner of Elegant Nails by Esther, Warrington
Elegant Nails by Esther
@elegant_nails_by_esther
@elegantnailsbyesther
The greatest challenge I’ve faced as a left-handed tech is E-file education. Educators tend to teach techniques from a right-handed perspective and are unsure how to adapt this for left-handed pros. Something I struggled with for years was trying to reduce length using an E-file, despite undertaking numerous masterclasses. I finally realised that reducing length the right-handed way, but with the E-file machine in forward direction, works for me.
What right-handed pros should know...
I would love more right-handed educators to be aware of how to adapt their teaching for left-handed pros. I have done many masterclasses, but haven’t found educators who specialise in left-handed nail techniques. This has meant having to navigate learning by myself.