Handirest is a new innovation designed and developed by Adrian Houlder, who came up with the idea when observing that his wife and daughter had nowhere to rest their hands when applying their nail varnish. They say that the simplest of ideas are the most successful, and this is definitely the case with this product, which has already been featured in some of the top fashion and lifestyle magazines and TV channels throughout the UK.
The Handirest is an ingenious manicure product for professional and home use. It is simple, easy and helps you to achieve a more comfortable and controlled manicure by supporting your hand and keeping your fingers secure and steady. The specially formed recesses help to keep your fingers still and therefore avoid accidental smudging or mess. The foam cushion is perfect for intricate nail art, applying false nails, and nail polishing. Handirest can be used anywhere. The cushion’s design means that one pad fits both your left and right hands, and any hand size.
I met up with Adrian, who is still amazed by the overnight success of his invention, and he told us the incredible story of how it all came about.
‘The idea for Handirest began whilst I was watching TV with my family. An advert came on showing a woman painting her nails with her hand held up in the air. I asked my wife and daughter how they managed to paint their nails without their hands being supported? My wife said that she rested her hands on the table but found it uncomfortable. My daughter then suggested that I design something to overcome the problem.
The following day, I decided to find something soft, something to keep the fingers secure and something easy. I found some foam at work, I put my hand on it quite firmly and the foam wrapped around my fingers. I thought “this is exactly what is needed”. I then shaped a piece of foam with channels to support the fingers.
I took the piece of foam home and showed it to my daughter, who thought that there was probably a similar sort of device on the internet. We went online and did a search, but we could not find anything that supported both hand and fingers.
At the time, I believed that was the end of it. I took what I had made back to work and left it in my reception area. To my surprise, the shaped foam started drawing a lot of attention, and became a talking point when customers were in the reception.
During one conversation, it was suggested that I should look into seeing if there was a market for the product, and also apply for a patent just in case something may come of it. I took my customer’s advice and came up with the name Handirest.
I began to research and speak to various nail technicians to come up with an improved version. After a few months, I had something ready to show. Shortly after completing the initial design, a customer came to collect some work that I had completed for a local radio station. The customer noticed the Handirest and we started talking about it as she just happened to be in charge of the beauty show which aired once a week. To my surprise she asked if she could feature Handirest on their show.
As my background is manufacturing, I knew very little about marketing and retail sales. I spoke to a marketing company who offered to help and suggested they start a facebook account to see if Handirest would draw any attention. On the launch of the Facebook account it went viral with ‘Likes’ appearing every few seconds. This excited everyone and now we had to see if it would sell. An Amazon account was opened at the end of 2012 and Handirest started to jump off the shelf.
I decided that I needed to look into getting a reliable supplier who could produce in volume if necessary, and as a result, this required some changes to the material to make it more durable and high quality product.
At the start of 2013 I had made some changes to Handirest and it was now suggested that I put it in front of the public by doing an exhibition. My marketing company signed me up to the Beauty UK NEC taking place in February. About a week before the Beauty UK, I received a call from a Amazon buyer who asked if they could buy direct from me. I was a little confused as I was only selling very small quantities on my account, but they informed me that they were alerted to Handirest sales, as the conversion rate was almost 100% every time someone landed on my page.
At the Beauty UK exhibition, I was selling a Handirest almost every minute throughout the two day event. I was also approached by Capital Hair and Beauty wholesalers. A member of the Scratch magazine team also took an interest in the Handirest. A few days later, I received a phone call from Scratch magazine, I was told, to my surprise, Handirest was now featured on the home page of their website, and that the other employees at Scratch magazine loved my product.
During the remainder of 2013, I continued to look for a manufacturer to produce Handirest. Eventually I found someone that I felt could produce larger volumes with compromising on the quality of my product.
I continued to make improvements to Handirest and began using a material that would be acetone resistant so that the Handirest could be easily kept clean and wouldn’t be damaged by the acetone found in nail care products.
I decided to take the new and improved Handirest to the Beauty UK 2014 exhibition. Handirest sold more than one every minute over the two days. The feedback from the trade and public was unbelievably encouraging.
During 2014, I started receiving calls from magazines asking to do advertorials on Handirest. Salon magazine, Scratch, Look. Mail On Sunday, At Home With Tess Daly to mention a few. One call was from Cosmopolitan who asked if they could put Handirest in their ‘Must Have’ section of the magazine and would allow me to use their logo endorsing Handirest as a ‘Must Have’.
Towards the end of 2014, I decided I now had the perfect Handirest, and finished making any alterations. I also felt that I was now ready to market Handirest in a bigger way. I took Handirest to the Autumn Fair 2014 at the NEC, so that I could introduce Handirest to retail buyers. The exhibition was a great success.
Handirest is currently available in over 150 stores, including; Bentalls, Fenwick, Capital Hair and Beauty, Dennis Willams, Alan Howard, Pompadour, and other online stores.
QVC have also signed up Handirest to be shown on their shopping channel.
Every week, there is new interest in Handirest, and I am extremely pleased to also have Handirest endorsed by Sylvia Anderson, creator of Thunderbirds and Lady Penelope, and we are now working with Breast Cancer Care with special edition PINK FAB Handirest.
Win one of twenty Handirests – the ultimate in nail care accessories
The Buckinghamshire based company originally developed the Handirest for use throughout manicures, and the comfortable, latex-free cushion provides a stable base on which to place your hand. This clever tool holds the hand comfortably whilst supporting the wrist and fingers throughout the application of nail polish, gels, foils, acrylics and more intricate nail art, and has quickly become a home-manicure essential for many.
The popular manicure tool stabilizes the hand keeping fingers in the optimum position, whilst still allowing the user flexibility to move the Handirest to help them minimize wobbles and achieve the best results.
As most nail professionals will testify, it’s often difficult to keep still throughout the duration of a manicure, so the Handirest provides an effective solution, allowing more control, steadying those who may be a little shaky or those who simply have fidgety fingers! The front of the Handirest is slightly raised and fingers are separated to ensure a smudge-free mani, meanwhile the curved front edge, allows flexibility where you are able to bring the hand further forward when applying polish in a downward motion, or keep the fingers slightly flatter for other kinds of nail applications.
All Handirest’s are durable, hygienic and resistant to acetone, allowing them to be easily and quickly cleaned using nail polish remover, acetone or a sanitizing spray for use time and time again.
Available in a choice of colours from www.handirest.com
About Handirest Ltd
Based in Buckinghamshire, Handirest Ltd was founded by inventor, Adrian Houlder in 2012. The Handirest manicure accessory has seen a number of versions before the product we know today came to market. Realising that there was nothing available to assist with manicures in this way, Adrian came up with an idea to separate the fingers and raises them on this tactile foam cushion in a way that is not only comfortable, but also allows for a more controlled manicure whether it be in a salon or the comfort of the users own home. Since its launch, Handirest has been embraced by salons and beauty wholesalers along with online and teleshopping retailers and department stores. Additional information about Handirest Ltd and their products can be found at www.handirest.com
Here is a video on how the Handirest was developed
To be in with a chance to win one of 20 Handirests, just enter below
How many times do you hear about ‘finding the one’ and ‘when you are least expecting it they will appear’. It was certainly the case with me, and with the most important relationship of all, My Hairdresser.
At certain times in my life I have found a hairdresser who understands my hair, and it has lasted for several months or even years – until they leave or move away. Then their successor who promises to deliver, lets you down, and you go on the search again.
After living in London for many years, and moving out to Buckinghamshire two years ago, I have been on a mission to find a suitable person to manage my rather tricky head of hair, and create a few miracles in the process.
From Toni & Guy to more ‘boutique’ hairdressers, I have tried them all, and it is actually six in total, and just when I had given up and decided it was me and not them, a miracle happened.
I walked into a hairdresser in Gerrards Cross called BROX as the owner Darren, was having an auction for his own Charity, Liberty’s Legacy, and I was donating a prize for the auction for him.
There was something about the way he said ‘Please come back I would like to do your hair’ that resonated with me, and although it took a few months, I did eventually go back and hey presto – I had found ‘the one’.
It was late afternoon, and once he had delivered THE HAIRCUT, the only people who remained were a few staff and Darren himself. They all exclaimed how different I looked and how much younger I had become with this major transformation.
I naturally felt that they were being kind, or supporting their boss, but did see an amazing difference in the thickness and style of the hair as I flounced out of the Salon.
The following day I was visited by my family, and my daughter who takes no prisoners, commented on the youthfulness of the cut and that it really was the best hairdo she could remember me having. Praise indeed, so it was not just a figment of my imagination.
The extraordinary difference with Darren is that he actually cares about each individual who walks into his salon, and each hair style is bespoke to the person standing in front of him, taking age, personality and lifestyle into consideration.
The added proof is actually in the type of clientele he attracts, from celebrities to film stars, especially as Pinewood is not far away and maybe because Gerrards Cross has been nicknamed The Mini Hollywood. But I also did spot an elderly lady who he was kindly serving tea and biscuits to prior to her appointment, so he welcomes everyone equally.
BROX have only been in Gerrards Cross for three years, and his training was in London at one of the major Salons prior to that.
But if you are looking for ‘the one’, then why don’t you try Darren at BROX in Gerrards Cross. I know that some of our readers are scattered across the country, and so perhaps you are inspired and will start looking for your own ‘Brox’ or ‘Darren’ closer to home. But for those of you not too far away, or even if you have a bit of a drive to get there, it would be time well spent, and unlike other relationships, I am willing to share.
Here is what Darren has to say
“Of course, quality is key and it is my intention to continue to grow the Brox business so that it is known for its attention to detail, personal client care, a warm and welcoming environment staffed by fully trained stylists offering a superb client experience that clients look forward to repeating many times.”
Set in the heart of Gerrards Cross, Brox is located on a bustling High Street with ample parking and the opportunity to shop from a variety of exclusive boutiques, plus the option to enjoy eating in the many cafes and restaurants nearby.
October 12, 2026 1860 Elmer Sperry 1872 Ralph Vaughan Williams 1929 Magnus Magnusson 1935 Luciano Pavarotti 1942 Melvin Franklin 1944 Angela Rippon 1948 Richard Parfitt 1954 Les Dennis 1967 Susan Tully
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As my background is manufacturing, I knew very little about marketing and retail sales. I spoke to a marketing company who offered to help and suggested they start a facebook account to see if Handirest would draw any attention. On the launch of the Facebook account it went viral with ‘Likes’ appearing every few seconds. This excited everyone and now we had to see if it would sell. An Amazon account was opened at the end of 2012 and Handirest started to jump off the shelf.
