Breaking an arm gave Maria Cientanni a golden opportunity to do some research into the science of nail glitter.

After many years working in the nail industry it seemed the right time to start a business offering professional premium nail products.

So Maria co-opted her brother Ged and Gravesend-based Lecente was founded in 2011.

As the business took off, it wasn’t long before Ged’s wife Theresa joined them in 2012.

So what makes Lecente stand out from the rest of this highly competitive industry?

If you think all glitter is the same, think again.

As creative director Maria explained we should be giving more consideration to where we get our glitter from.

She said: “Glitter for Nail Art is a professional product, just like liquid, powder and gel.

“Like any other professional beauty product the way it is manufactured is very important, after all it’s going on a client’s nails.”

Lecente glitter is precision cut so it can eliminate rough edges allowing nail technicians more accuracy in their work.

The company’s product is 100% pure which is rare. Second grade glitters can contain bacteria as well as glass, dangerous metals and cardboard. So this firm ensures the customer’s health and safety is the priority.

Lecente has earned a solid status in the nail industry and partnered with UK award-winning distributor Sweet Squared Ltd in 2011.

This has proved to be a blossoming arrangement. The products are now sold across the UK, Europe, USA and New Zealand.

Sweet Squared has represented the company and helped propel it into the professional nail industry. As well as offering fun, premium nail art products, Lecente has also launched an education programme.

The local community figures strongly with this company with sponsorship of a local football team and Age UK.

n The Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards are supported by the Messenger and each entrant gets a free profile in our papers and online.

If you would like to enter this year’s awards, enter online at www.dgbawards.co.uk by July 29. This year’s sponsors are: Barnes Roffe, Dartford council, Gravesham council, KM Media Group, Lloyds Bank, Thomson Snell and Passmore, University of Greenwich.