Posts by Rebecca Hitchon
Important June dates for your nail & beauty business
Get your business prepared for the month of June, with our roundup of dates to note… 1st-30th: Pride Month An event dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ voices, contributions and the progression of rights, Pride is also an opportunity to call for greater equality and acceptance. It’s an apt time to show your business’ support for the…
Read MoreUK beauty industry & MPs announce initiatives to improve UV safety
With new UK melanoma skin cancer cases projected to rise to around 26,500 each year by 2038, the beauty industry is uniting to spearhead positive change. The British Beauty Council (BBCo) has coordinated the UV Safety Initiative to increase knowledge of suncare, SPF and the risks of UV radiation. It is supported by companies including…
Read MoreDevon nail tech & mental health first aider on how to prioritise wellness in the salon
“While holding clients’ hands – quite literally for hours at a time, they can open up, allowing you to celebrate the ups in their lives, but also the downs,” says Emily Harris, owner of North Devon business, Vanity Nails & Tanning. The passionate pro is a qualified mental health first aider with MHFA England, using…
Read MoreSurvey highlights resilience of UK hair & beauty businesses
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has unveiled its April State of the Industry survey results, which show that businesses are adapting to rising financial and recruitment challenges. The majority of surveyed businesses (68%) remain hopeful about their long-term survival. Gathering responses from over 430 UK businesses, the research found that 40% of hair…
Read MoreHair & beauty pros, determine employment status for tax with this HMRC guidance
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published guidance to help UK hair and beauty professionals determine their employment status for tax purposes. Designed to particularly support workers renting a chair or space within a salon, the guidance compiles easy-to-follow information about common hair and beauty working practices and how they relate to employment status. This…
Read MoreThe dos & don’ts of speaking to a salon employee with mental health considerations
As a business owner, do you know how to speak to an employee who is struggling with their mental health, giving them the support they need? We’ve sourced expert advice to ensure you use mindful language when talking to staff. “When speaking with a colleague with mental health issues, you need to let them…
Read MoreNails inspired by spring trends: see 94 entries & winner of nail art comp
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art contest for April is Katarzyna Korzeniak of @katessimplynails. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Your Favourite Spring Trends, in the bid to win a prize from Andreia Professional. Entries were judged by Sara Pinto, Andreia Professional product director, and Scratch deputy editor, Rebecca Hitchon. The winner, Katarzyna…
Read MoreInside the ‘quirky but classy’ West Yorkshire salon offering a sanctuary for nail & beauty clients
Experienced beauty pro & educator, Narelle Wharton, shares the story of her Castleford salon, Narelle Beauty… The first Covid lockdown hit soon after Narelle Wharton had discovered an ideal space for her salon business. Having struggled with the heat and lack of space when working from her conservatory previously, it was time for a relocation.…
Read MoreCoachella 2025: the celebrity festival nail looks you need to see
Known for its star-studded guest list, Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held over two weekends in the Colorado Desert, California. Celebrity festival-goers sport stunning, on-trend fashion pieces, accessorised with eye-catching nail styles. We’ve rounded up nail looks to note from the 2025 event… Celebrity & session nail stylist, Juan Alvear, was on…
Read MoreWhy it’s important to take care of feet & advice for pedicurists
The importance of footcare can be overlooked, particularly during colder weather when feet and toenails tend to be tucked into thick socks and closed-toe footwear. But footcare services are not just beneficial for pedicure season. Foot and toenail issues can arise at any time, and treating them early can prevent further problems and medical attention…
Read MoreRevealed: Katy Perry’s solar system nails for the Blue Origin space flight
Celebrity nail artist, Kim Truong, has revealed the space-inspired design she created for pop singer, Katy Perry’s Blue Origin space trip. The American music artist and five other women were part of a space flight on 14 April, aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. On Instagram, Truong wrote: “This manicure went to space. I love…
Read MoreFamily affair: Meet 3 sets of siblings finding success in the nail industry
Scratch puts the spotlight on brothers and sisters working together in the nail industry… Glitterbels While Annabel Maginnis will likely come to mind when you hear the word ‘Glitterbels’, there is a trio of siblings involved in the brand: Annabel’s husband, Elliott, and his brothers, Mac and Alex. It was unexpected for the brothers that…
Read MoreLondon College of Beauty Therapy announces relocation of campus
Having outgrown its campus in Ramillies House, Soho, the London College of Beauty Therapy (LCBT) is moving to another premises. Its new home in Fashion Street, in the heart of Shoreditch, will allow the college to expand its provision and train more students via a newly-refurbished building. Plans include to add a range of advanced…
Read MoreBritish Beauty Council invites students to shape future of industry via mentorship & grant opportunity
The British Beauty Council has launched The Student Shadow Board, alongside UNiDAYS and Sephora UK. Via the initiative, young people across the UK can apply to receive mentorship and grant support, by pitching their future-facing beauty solutions across topics like innovation and technology, sustainability, creativity, marketing and science. They can either submit an entry video…
Read MoreScratch Snap winner announced: pedicure nail art contest
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art contest for March has been announced as Amy Lambourne of @amylambournenaturalnailtech. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Fancy Feet, in the bid to win a prize from Footlogix. Entries were judged by Samantha Sweet, co-founder & chief commercial officer at Sweet Squared: UK&I trainer & distributor…
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