TECH-NIQUE
Styling with THE STARS
Let your skills sparkle with technical & artistic step-by-steps from Scratch Stars Awards champions
Scratch Star
spotlight
Who: Kylea Wherry What: Scratch Stars L&P Tech of the Year 2020/21 & 2025, and 2026 finalist in the L&P Tech and Educator of the Year categories. Why: Kylea has spent over 13 years making her mark on the industry as a nail artist & educator. Alongside client work, she teaches Glitterbels courses and travels the UK delivering workshops, demos and career advice, bringing her expertise to nail techs at every level. How: Known for her precision and attention to detail, Kylea specialises in the L&P acrylic system, creating looks from timeless nail staples to fashion-forward designs.
WINNING WISDOM
I truly believe that every nail pro should compete at least once in their career. Competing forces you to look at your work differently. Images on social media can be edited and lighting can work wonders – but on a competition floor, there’s nowhere to hide. You will make mistakes, but by doing so, you’ll know where to make improvements.
My top tip for competing is practice. In the eight weeks before the Scratch Stars Awards practical judging day 2025, I created an L&P French manicure every night.
Follow Kylea: @kyleawherry_nailartisteducator
/kyleawherry.nailartist.and.educator
@kyleawherry www.kyleawherry.co.uk
L&P perfection using tips
Mastering the L&P (liquid & powder) system is no small feat. Proper prep, precision and a solid understanding of the science behind the system are essential for strong, sculpted acrylic enhancements with a flawless finish.
Step 1 Prep the nail and size your tip, which should span the full width of the natural nail, touching both sidewalls. Apply glue to the underside and follow the nail’s natural curvature to ensure a flush fit.
You will need:
• Nail tips.
• Nail glue.
• 100/180-grit nail file.
• Dehydrator.
• Acid-free primer.
• Acrylic brush.
• Dappen dish.
• Monomer.
• Acrylic powder.
Step 2 Use a 100/180-grit file to shape the tip and blend the lower edge into the natural nail, until there’s no visible join.
Step 3 Apply dehydrator and acid-free primer to the natural nail.
Step 4 ‘Burp’ your acrylic brush by pumping it into a dappen dish of monomer to release any trapped air bubbles.
Step 5 Gather the first acrylic bead onto the brush, placing it just above the free edge and walking it down the nail. You want to achieve an even thickness – no thicker than a bank card.
Step 6 The second bead will form the apex, so place it in the middle third of the nail. Bring it down the sidewalls and blend it into the first bead. Only manipulate the front of the apex, as working from the back will flatten the structure.
Step 7 Place the final acrylic bead at the cuticle and blend into the nail. During this step, tilt the brush to 45° degrees, angle the nail downward and let gravity take effect. This helps the product sit flush without flooding the cuticle.
Step 8 Once the product has set, use the 100/180-grit file to refine the free edge and sidewalls, and smooth the nail from the back of the apex to the free edge.
Step 9 Add nail art, gel polish and/or top coat to finish, and apply cuticle oil.
TOP TIPS
Never work with an acrylic bead before it is ready. Doing so pushes monomer back into the bead, interfering with the liquid & powder ratio. Instead, wait for the moment of perfect polymerisation: when the texture shifts from pitted to smooth and shiny. L&P enhancements do not need to be bulky. When they are structurally correct, their apex shouldn’t be much higher than the proximal nail fold.