Posts by Emma Hobday
Nail Art: a history in time
Nail art. It can be so many things: bold, beautiful, empowering, subtle, fun, and can give us a confidence boost or a little moment of joy in the day when we look down at our decorated fingertips. Nail art is creativity at its finest, providing you with 10 tiny ways to express yourself and enveloping…
Read MoreRaynaud’s Syndrome: Here’s how you can help sufferers
Raynaud’s Syndrome is named after French physician, Maurice Raynaud, who first recognised the condition in 1862. The phenomenon causes an interruption of blood flow to all extremities including the hands, fingers and toes, when a spasm occurs in the blood vessels of these areas. Spasms triggered by exposure to cold temperatures or emotional stress typically…
Read MoreIV KULTURE nail brand sales serve to support 2% Black Nail Tech Initiative
Scratch chats to entrepreneurs Tianna, Taja, Ty, and Toi, the four sisters behind the Florida based nail brand IV KULTURE, about how they are making changes in the Black nail tech community and why they created The 2% Black Nail Tech Initiative… How did your business journey begin? We started IV KULTURE because we all…
Read MoreWINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap November 2021
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Nicole Gutierrez. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for November & created nail designs inspired by ‘Sparkle & Shine’ in the bid to win a prize from The Gel Bottle. Judged by Scratch‘s news & features writer, Emma…
Read MoreHave you ever had a client try to haggle your prices? Here’s what to do if it happens
Negotiating prices. We’ve all been there – using vouchers at a restaurant, making use of Groupon deals, entering codes at checkout for online shopping – but asking for a discount at a nail salon can have a serious impact on business and should not be encouraged. Here Scratch chats to two nail techs, who share…
Read MorePink Gorilla pops up in Chesterfield to service beauty needs
A bold, bright beauty salon has opened in Chesterfield, featuring a giant pink gorilla. The eye-catching ‘Pink Gorilla’ premises is founded by Kerry Manders and Leanne Hemmens, who each have over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. They joined forces in 2018 owing to their unique and innovative ideas. “We started looking for…
Read MoreCanadian nail brand, Gelcare, collaborates with artist, Gab Bois
Meet founder of Gelcare, Emilie Sanscartier, a French-Canadian nail artist and salon owner, who created her brand after years of searching for new and unique products in the nail market. “I wanted to create gel polishes that were on trend, easy to apply, healthy for the nails and nicely designed,” Emilie says. “Before Gelcare, I…
Read MoreFast-track flawless nails with the Entity Beauty Rubber Base Gels
Entity Beauty has unveiled its Rubber Base Gel, a base coat that self-levels, conceals flaws and ridges on the nail, and gives a smooth and perfected look to your nail design. The Rubber Base Gel formula has a rubberised formula that is flexible and volumising to the nail, enabling you to shape the natural nail…
Read MoreIn-person sales of beauty products soar 9% in 13 weeks
Beauty purchases on the high street increased by 9% in the 13 weeks leading up to the end of October 2021, compared to the same amount of time leading to the end of October 2020, according to a report by market research company The NPD Group. The company also discovered that online beauty sales have…
Read MoreMy experience of Transgender & Inclusivity Awareness training & why it’s important for beauty pros
It was an ordinary Monday morning when I logged on to Sam Marshall and Keri Blue’s Transgender and Inclusivity Awareness Training via Zoom. But little did I know that this ordinary morning was going to be turned upside down, with my eyes and mind about to opened in the most incredible way. Who are Sam…
Read MoreOPI Nail Lacquer: the stories behind my favourite shades
Scratch’s Emma reminisces on the OPI Nail Lacquer shades that remind her of relationships, summer holidays and job interviews… The shade that reminds me of my relationship: Tickle My Francey This shade was gifted to me by my ex’s mum back in 2015, who absolutely loved doing her nails. She would paint her nails every…
Read More8 nail art books to inspire your designs
Here at Scratch, we love a beautiful coffee table book, especially with the pandemic providing ample amounts of time to relax at home.. We’ve swotted up on the best beauty books that will not only look stunning on your coffee table or in your reception area, but will provide you with the latest tips, tricks…
Read MoreHere’s how to create a rapport with non-English speaking clients
Scratch chats to Magda Gniewek, educator of Magnetic Nails UK, about how to create a connection with your clients who don’t use English as their first language… What is the best way to build a working relationship with a client whose mother tongue is not the English language? “When working with a client who doesn’t…
Read MoreWeak, brittle or ridged nails? Here’s how you can benefit from a manicure
Think that having painted nails only provides aesthetic benefits? Think again – just a few of the benefits of a manicure and pedicure include stress relief, improved nail health and a boost in confidence. But even if your nails aren’t in the best condition, Marian Newman BEM, nail industry veteran and chair of The FNP,…
Read More8 ways to reduce foot swelling during pregnancy
It’s completely normal to experience some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in your legs, ankles, feet and fingers, which can often be worse at the end of the day. Why does it happen? Your growing uterus can interrupt blood flow and cause more fluid to stay in your leg veins, with the extra liquid going into nearby tissue,…
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