What are rings of fire on nails & how can they be avoided?

By Jess Watts | 7 December 2025

Red rings or semicircles that appear on the nail – often referred to as ‘rings of fire’ – can strike fear into the hearts of nail techs and clients alike, but what causes them and how can they be avoided? “Rings of fire appear as red rings on the nail plate near to the proximal…

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Pantone unveils white hue, Cloud Dancer, as Color of the Year 2026

By Rebecca Hitchon | 5 December 2025

Image credit: The Development PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026. The global colour authority selects a shade each year that it sees to be influencing all areas of design, and that resonates with consumers and their attitudes. Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as a ‘lofty white whose aerated presence acts as…

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18 alternative Christmas nail art designs

By Scratch Staff | 5 December 2025

Looking for Christmas nail styles with an alternative twist? Explore the dark side of nail art with gothcore-inspired takes on festive designs.

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The Ukrainian nail brand on a mission to make nail techs’ work safer

By Alex Fox | 5 December 2025

Standing tall for 2025, Ukrainian manufacturing brand, ÜLKA, sponsored Nailympia London to demonstrate how it’s serious about redefining what a nail technician’s workspace should be. Since 2017, the brand has championed a simple yet powerful belief: a nail station must feel like a sanctuary, not a place that harms the technician behind it. Too many…

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What nails should you wear based on your December full moon horoscope?

By Jess Watts | 4 December 2025

4 December 2025 marks the final supermoon of the year. Coined the ‘Cold Moon’, the celestial event will be the largest luna of 2025, reaching higher into the sky than any other moon this year. Given the scale of the supermoon, horoscopes are rife with change and turbulence. How will your star sign be affected…

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Scratch Snap prize Bluestreak Crystals Dec

Nail art contest: win a Bluestreak Crystals prize for your dazzling designs

The December Scratch Snap competition is open! Scratch Snap is…

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Image courtesy of Instagram.com/polished_yogi

The snowflake nail designs you need to try this Christmas

It’s the run-up to Christmas, which means festive fingertips are…

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OTHER STORIES

Disney lead

44 Disney nail art designs that are pure magic

Manifest magic on your nails with these Disney nail art designs… because who says fairytales are just for children?  

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Power of pause

Christmas rush tips for nail techs: why pause matters

Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares why pause is a powerful tool during the festive season… It’s that time of year:…

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Candy Cane Nails Header

26 candy cane nail designs to satisfy your Christmas nail art cravings

Add a sweet touch to Christmas claws with these candy cane styles to inspire…

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Nailsby.ellietee Cat Eye Header

Turn heads with these 50 mesmerising cat eye nail ideas

Cat eye nails are trending, featuring an eye-catching, shimmering finish. Inspired by the reflective nature of a cat’s eye, the…

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EVENTS

Nailtopia Trade Show

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

Created by nail techs, for nail techs. Founded in 2019 as a trade show dedicated solely to professional nail technicians, Nailtopia is back after a three-year break. It has a renewed mission: to uplift, educate and celebrate the incredible people shaping the nail and beauty industry. In 2026, it is hosted at The Steamworks, Sheffield – a unique, female-run venue led by sisters whose passion for events mirrors the Nailtopia…

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Phorest Salon Owners Summit

By Jess Watts | 15 September 2025

Phorest, a global salon, spa and clinic software company, will host its 10th annual Salon Owners Summit 25 & 26 January 2026. The event, themed ‘Thrive: The human experience, powered by technology‘, will gather hundreds of salon and clinic owners from around the world at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Ireland. The summit promises a deep dive into inspiration, education and strategic business growth, as well as demystifying how technology…

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New Year’s Eve

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

For nail techs, the final day of the year is usually covered in glitter. Sparkle and silver styles are among the most popular NYE nail requests. While you are tending to talons, remember to take a moment to reflect on the year you’ve had, and acknowledge the things you have achieved. Congratulations for another year of wonderful work. Here’s to 2026! Take a look at our gallery of New Year’s…

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Christmas Day

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

‘The most wonderful time of the year’ culminates with Christmas Day. As we reach the summit of sparkle season, the day screams for seasonal sets. Give your clients the gift of festive fingertips with Santa styles, Christmas tree talons and more. Check out the top 5 Christmas nail art trends for 2025. Image courtesy of Instagram.com/brontenails_x

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Winter solstice

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

According to English Heritage, ‘during winter solstice, the earth’s axis is tilted at its furthest point from the sun. This means that, for us in the northern hemisphere, the sun is at its lowest point in the sky’. Essentially, winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, and the longest night. Embrace the presence of the starry sky with a themed nail design, and brighten up the dark by adding some…

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Gingerbread House Day

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

This day of yuletide yumminess aims to encourage families and friends to gather together and create the classic Christmas treat! However, crafting a gingerbread house on nails is another level of creativity, and certainly does the job to celebrate the day. Feast your eyes on these gingerbread-themed nail designs. Image courtesy of Emily Langford.

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The Hair & Beauty Charity’s Dress Up For Dinners Day

By Rebecca Hitchon | 30 October 2025

The Hair & Beauty Charity’s Dress Up for Dinners Day returns on Thursday 11 December 2025! Everyone can get involved, and this year, it’s not just about jumpers – but adding joy to your day while supporting industry colleagues in need. If you can’t wear a festive jumper, why not sport a Christmas hat, antlers or a touch of sparkle with some sequins? Simply wear your festive jumper or other Christmas-related regalia to…

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Scratch Snap nail art competition

By Rebecca Hitchon | 4 December 2025

Scratch Snap is a monthly, online nail art challenge to create a salon-style design in line with a theme. Simply snap a pic of the design (on yourself, nail tips or a client) and you could be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize! The theme for December’s Scratch Snap is Black Tie Sparkle, and the winner will scoop Bluestreak Crystals’ Serinity Flatback Ultimate Mix in Crystal – worth over…

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