Posts by Alex Fox
The Ukrainian nail brand on a mission to make nail techs’ work safer
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…
Read MoreThe success story of Belinda Price: award-winning nail educator, salon owner & industry advocate
Scratch reflects on the award-winning work of esteemed educator & business owner, Belinda Price… With a career spanning more than three decades, Belinda Price stands as a true pillar of the nail industry: a valued educator, mentor, salon owner, innovator and advocate for all. Her recognition with the prestigious Scratch Stars Services to the Nail…
Read MoreBritish Beauty Week returns for 2025, spotlighting the ‘Future of Beauty’
The British Beauty Council has announced the return of British Beauty Week, running 20-26 October 2025, with a packed programme of events designed to showcase the industry’s creativity, innovation and influence. Backed by leading names including Sephora, Medik8, L’Oréal Groupe, Clearpay and ELEMIS, the week will unite beauty lovers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to explore the ‘Future…
Read MoreInside look: Nail Beauty Congress & Championship 2025, Belgrade, Serbia
The landmark event highlighted industry advancements, expertise and hosted the first Serbian nail competition in nine years, while raising the region’s industry profile and standards, writes Alex Fox… The Nail Beauty Congress & Championship, held in Belgrade, Serbia, in April, was a historic event that brought together nail professionals and educators from around the globe…
Read MoreNailympia Competition to take place in China 8-9 May 2025
Nailympia, one of the world’s most prestigious nail competitions, is coming to China, thanks to the vision and dedication of Kimi Chang. A passionate advocate of Chinese aesthetics and a nail industry trailblazer, Kimi Chang is set to make history by hosting Nailympia China in Pudong, Shanghai, 8-9 May 2025. To support competitors on their…
Read MoreRevealed: the 5 nations that dazzled at a nail art championship in Paris
The 2024 Nations Championship, organised by Cécilia Gimenez of NailArt France Events, brought nail professionals from across the globe together in a dazzling showcase of creativity, skill and nail artistry. The event was held in two parts: live technical tests took place at Disneyland Paris in September 2024, and online nail art competitions were conducted…
Read MoreCaregiver to nail creator: how a London mum unexpectedly found belonging in the nail industry
A work accident, supportive family and love for nails transformed Josephine Mensurah’s life from rehabilitation support worker to nail artist & content creator. The Nailympia London arena attracts all types of techs, from all over the globe. First-time competitor, Josephine Mensurah, took the bold move of jumping into the arena in 2024. Not one to take…
Read MoreSeeking a high-quality, innovative & eco-conscious salon furniture brand? Meet REM UK
For over a century, REM UK has been at the forefront of developing salon furniture and equipment, playing a pivotal role in shaping the salon industry’s products and work environments. From its humble beginnings in 1918 with the pioneering work of Eugene Suter, REM has continuously evolved and transformed to meet the needs of salons,…
Read MoreMeet the artist who uses nail polish to create masterpieces
Based in Dallas, US, Caroline Zurmely’s artistic practice is a testament to innovation and experimentation. Driven by material, texture and process over conventional themes or subjects, Zurmely creates relief paintings that delve into the imagery of tabloid photography and public mourning. Her work, rendered in tight close-ups, meticulously details rings, fabrics, handbags and hairstyles, detaching…
Read MoreNail industry experts unite for exciting class & retreat in Clacton
Seven nail industry professionals travelled to The Royal Hotel in Clacton, Essex, for a class led by renowned nail expert, Georgie Smedley. The business owner and former UK distributor of Gelish, fought an aggressive cancer during 2023 and is now back in good health, so invited industry colleagues for a two-day event that combined food,…
Read MoreNailympia Orlando 2024: THE RESULTS
The fourth Nailympia Orlando marked another milestone in the world of competitive nail artistry, welcoming 84 competitors occupying 384 seats. These nailists represented 14 countries: Serbia, Hungary, Cuba, Aruba, Italy, Germany, France, USA, UK, Spain, Argentina, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine and Canada. The diverse international participation contributed to one of the most exciting competition floors…
Read MoreHonouring heritage through a passion for polish
In recognition and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (15 Sept-15 Oct 2022), Scratch puts the spotlight on Cuban-American entrepreneur and influencer, Kathleen Fuentes (aka KathleenLights). Founder of Lights Lacquer, a cruelty-free nail lacquer line, started in November 2019, Kathleen honours Hispanic Heritage Month with the otra noche en Miami collection, which presents three new lacquer shades, ‘Cubana’,…
Read MoreSpanish Sculpting, it’s More Tips than Tapas, for Nail Learning in London
In the heart of Barcelona can be found a nail artist and international educator, who’s 3D French work and extreme nail styling are a visual symphony. Of Romanian descent, nail stylist Ioana Cristescu has carved out such a high reputation for her bespoke nail education that she was flown into the UK last weekend to…
Read MoreTech Talk: Invite the Wolf right up to your salon door
The first Nailympia global champion back in 2017, Sweden’s Madelene Wolf, has jumped into the slipstream of her success and launched a new nail system with education, known as Wolf. “For a long time, I dreamt of having all the best materials gathered in one place instead of having to look for products I like…
Read MoreLeighton Denny celebrates 17th brand anniversary
Back in the driving seat of his brand after living in Los Angeles since 2005, Leighton returned to the UK just before the pandemic hit and has been working on the relaunch of his namesake brand and his industry comeback. Now, back at the helm of his brand, Leighton enthuses, “I’ve created a ‘skincare for…
Read More