Posts by Lilly Delmage
Why nail technicians should enter the Scratch Stars Awards: tips from a nail competition maestro
Bespoke nail artist, Jiak Hing, who has won the Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year accolade for three consecutive years, shares insight into the competition, what to expect on the day and the benefits of entering. Why did you decide to enter the Scratch Stars Awards? To challenge myself and test my…
Read MoreIntroverted nail techs: how to grow your skills & clientele comfortably
Do you love the creative aspect of being a nail professional: perfecting enhancements and getting arty, but find it challenging to converse with clients and colleagues? You’re not alone. A need to recharge after client interactions or feeling most comfortable in quiet environments are signs of introversion. The word ‘introvert’ is rarely associated with nail…
Read MoreMargaret Dabbs London opens luxury wellness clinic in Belgravia
![Margaret Dabbs Headshot[62]](https://cdn.scratchmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Margaret-Dabbs-Headshot62-300x300.jpg)
British beauty brand, Margaret Dabbs® London, is opening a clinic in Belgravia, London, following its King’s Road, Chelsea, opening in June 2024. Well-known for its high-quality, luxury treatments and products within the wellness industry, the brand has decided on Belgravia as its next location, marking its eighth in London and 15th internationally. The upcoming flagship…
Read MoreChristmas nail art: 16 festive winter wonderland manicures
This season, snowy, magical landscapes dominate nail canvases, boasting sparkling snowflakes, white-dusted fir trees and reflective icicles. As for a colour palette, work with whites, silvers, blues, greens and browns to encapsulate a snowy winter walk. Here’s 16 snowy woodland manicures to inspire your nail creations…
Read MoreFrom DIY nails to owning a home salon: how one tech turned her passion into a business
Bedfordshire-based nail tech, Jodie Day of @talonsbyjodie, started her nail journey simply wanting to learn how to do her own nails, however she enjoyed the training so much that she decided to turn it into her career. Jodie began her training in 2021 while pregnant, seeking a creative outlet. She says, “I decided to tell…
Read MoreRevealed: the 10 UK hotspots where hair & beauty businesses are growing fastest
Research by financial technology company, SumUp, identifies the top towns and cities in the UK with the biggest growth in hairdressing and beauty businesses. By analysing ONS data over the past five years, SumUp has concluded that high streets are adapting to consumer needs, with 10 hotspots seeing a notable growth in hair and beauty…
Read MoreThe Wicked-inspired nail looks being worn by the film’s stars
Wicked content has been circulating social media and, with premieres and press tours well underway, the film’s stars have been sporting their best Oz-themed nail looks. Here’s our roundup… Hitting the silver screen on 22 November, the highly-anticipated Universal movie adaptation of Wicked has inspired the film’s actors’ and actresses’ manicures. The vibrant hues of the…
Read MoreAward-winning home salon owner: the 5 essential tips for success
Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 winner, Kirsty Brown of @paintbrushnails, shares her top tips for building a successful home salon… Having won the prestigious Scratch Stars accolade for her Stirling-based home salon, we asked Kirsty to share her top tips to inform and inspire nail techs who want to create their…
Read MoreSouth Devon tech: At 30 I decided to train as a nail technician – and I’ve never looked back
Having undergone a career swap at the age of 30, Devon-based nail tech Bonni Higson, the owner of Bonni File’n’Style in Dawlish, shares her story… After having children, Bonni decided to train as a nail technician. She says: “I enrolled at South Devon College and qualified at NVQ level 2 in 2016. After realising just…
Read MoreThe 3 top times of the year for business retail & how to capitalise on them
Public holidays often influence retail sales, but as a small business owner, how can you ensure you’re maximising revenue during these key events? Research reveals how… Business credit card experts from price comparison website, Money.co.uk, have analysed the average weekly sales and key retail transaction days over the past year – identifying the best days…
Read MoreWinter wonders: Must-have nail colour collections for the 2024 festive season
‘Tis the season of celebrations – and time to embrace joy, sparkle and eye-catching nail effects. From shimmering holiday hues to creative, winter-inspired designs, this season is all about embracing texture and decadent colour. Expect the staple hues to return – we’re talking forest-greens, ribbon reds, glittery golds and striking silvers. And nail brands have…
Read MoreThe experience of male nail techs in 2024: what’s it like?
Scratch reached out to male manicurists to better understand their experiences within the current beauty industry environment. Here’s what they said… Danny Manchip Instagram: @beausbeautybox Scratch Stars award winner & Beau’s Beauty Box owner, Danny, shares how being a man in the industry has impacted him: “If anything, these days I feel like I have…
Read MoreTexas nail tech: Clients have walked away from my services because I’m transgender
Texas-based nail technician, Dylan Michaud, shares how she refuses to let gender discrimination stand in the way of her career success… Having faced multiple clients refusing her services due to her gender, Dylan reveals her outlook on those experiences. She says: “Fortunately, I am very understanding that not everyone agrees with my lifestyle. That does…
Read MoreVTCT rebrand brings fresh energy to nail & beauty therapy qualifications
Vocational education company, VTCT, has launched its company rebrand – now known as VTCT Skills. For over 60 years, VTCT has worked to transform lives through skills, by offering a wide range of qualifications within the personal services to people sectors, including: Hairdressing & Barbering, Nail & Beauty Therapies, and Wellbeing & Holistic Therapy. The…
Read MoreHow a transgender nail tech changed his narrative by going self-employed
Utah-based tech, Finn Reilly, shares his experience changing his narrative as a trans nail pro by fostering a supportive network that allows his business to thrive. Alike many other transgender nail techs, Finn has experienced first-hand the discrimination within the industry. He shares: “I worked at a salon for a while, but my employer made…
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