Dictionary

Find a manicure term, read its explanation and follow the links to related materials, equipment and techniques. The dictionary is another route into the same reference articles.

Definition

Absorption and scattering

Absorption transfers light energy to matter. Scattering changes the direction in which light travels. Both can affect a nail material’s appearance, but they answer different questions about what happens inside it. Read more

A

Absorption and scattering Airflow

C

CADR Cat-eye effect Chain length and crosslinking

D

Document revision Drying and curing Dust collection and HEPA

E

Electrical marking

F

Film former Filter test French design

G

Gloss and colour Grit

H

Hardness and fracture toughness Hazard and risk

I

INCI and CosIng

L

Lamp power and spectrum

M

Mass fraction and volume fraction Measurement uncertainty Monomer and polymer

N

Nail plate Negative space

O

Oligomer Ombré

P

Pattern scale Photoinitiator Pigment Plasticizer Product-system compatibility

R

Reflective finish

S

Safety data sheet Sheer finish Solution and dispersion Solvent Sound level Stamping Swatch photography

T

V

Viscosity and thixotropy