Posts by Scratch Staff
Soho’s ‘hidden gem’: The underground spa delivering high-quality nail & beauty services
Spa manager, Charlotte Bull, tells all about Soholistic Spa at Ham Yard Hotel, London: an underground, luxury beauty space. Once a derelict space, the site of Ham Yard Hotel in the heart of dynamic Soho was transformed by the Firmdale Hotels group in 2014. Situated next to Piccadilly Circus and moments from Mayfair, it features…
Read MoreNailympia Germany 2025: THE RESULTS
The fourth edition of Nailympia Germany was hosted at Beauty Düsseldorf, 28-30 March, in partnership with Signature Nail International and powered by Scratch magazine. The event welcomed 57 competitors via 11 arena and five online categories, and 20 countries were represented, with 237 competition seats taken. The esteemed international judging panel comprised: Antony Buckley (UK), Zrinka…
Read MoreWorking together: The mothers & children building businesses in the nail industry
The nail industry has often been described as ‘one big family’, but for many nail brand owners, techs and educators, this really is a reality. To celebrate Mother’s Day, Scratch spoke to mother-child duos and trios on how they work together within nail and beauty businesses to build success… Belinda Price and daughters, Lucy Price-Marshall…
Read MoreMeet the mums navigating nail careers alongside motherhood
Learn about mums who manicure, as three mothers share their journeys navigating nail careers alongside various stages of motherhood… Katie Turner of Radiant Nails, Devon Katie Turner has two children, one of whom has been diagnosed with autism, sensory processing disorder and pathological demand avoidance. “It’s always been a challenge to find work around my…
Read MoreSpring Statement 2025: Key takeaways for beauty industry workers
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, today (26 March) delivered her Spring Statement: an update on the UK economy since the formal Budget in October 2024, and its forecasted performance. Focuses were on defence, taxes and governmental efficiency, with no measures announced that will hugely impact the beauty sector. However, Reeves has not increased taxes,…
Read MoreSussex nail tech: How I navigate epilepsy to keep offering nail services
Dawn Wolk has huge adoration for the nail industry. It gives her independence and a sense of self-worth – but regular seizures mean she can only accommodate two clients per day. The East Sussex nail pro, who attained an L&P acrylic nail qualification in February 2023, suffers with epilepsy and has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which affects…
Read MoreThe GelBottle Inc expands academy offerings to empower nail pros
Brighton-based nail brand, The GelBottle Inc (TGB), has launched in-person courses, workshops and a call service via TGB Academy, to support aspiring and experienced techs. The company’s most popular online workshops, BIAB™ Master and Perfect Prep, will be available as in-person courses at the company’s Centre of Excellence in Brighton. In addition, Schedule A Call…
Read MoreBexy Glow unveils Bexy Build builder gel at star-studded launch event
Paige Chohan and Becky Willett, founders of nail brand, Bexy Glow, hosted an event in Cheshire to launch Bexy Glow Bexy Build: a builder gel designed to offer strength, flexibility and long-lasting wear. Guests gathered at The Colony, Wilmslow on 5 March to learn about the product, which is described as a ‘thicker, self-levelling gel that provides…
Read MoreNO MORE Week: How nail & beauty pros can support clients experiencing domestic abuse
NO MORE Week is an annual, international campaign to raise awareness about and take a stand against domestic abuse and sexual violence. It provides resources for individuals and organisations to take action and make a difference, and you can too as a nail/beauty pro. The focus for 2025 is ‘NO MORE Silence’. Research shows that…
Read MoreLife as a nail tech with Raynaud’s: 5 pros share their experiences
Raynaud’s syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s disease and Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a condition that affects blood circulation to fingers and toes and can cause them to change colour when cold, anxious or stressed. Other symptoms include pain, numbness and pins and needles. Symptoms vary for each individual and may last for several minutes to hours.…
Read MoreNailympia Anaheim 2025: THE RESULTS
The second Nailympia Anaheim nail competition took place 23-24 February 2025 at Premiere Anaheim, California, welcoming 40 competitors from eight countries. Here are the results: RUNWAY NAILS – VINTAGE VOGUE Division 1 1st – Anastasiia Akzamova – USA 2nd – Kim Sizemore – USA 3rd – Elena Soldatenkova – USA Division 2 1st – Thomas Pham…
Read MorePlatform launches to empower beauty pros & support business growth
Samantha Cusick, a business growth coach & owner of multiple salons, has launched The Beauty Business Platform. The resource seeks to empower hair and beauty professionals at all levels and support the sustainable growth of their businesses. It combines actionable strategies, proven tools to streamline operations and Samantha’s insights into what it takes to thrive…
Read MoreWhat are ‘soap nails’, the 2025 trend loved by celebrities including Kylie Jenner?
There’s good news for fans of the ‘clean girl aesthetic’: the TikTok beauty craze centred around a fresh, glowing and natural appearance. ‘Clean’ and classy manicure trend, ‘soap nails’, has been spotted on some famous fingers and is here to stay in 2025. The soap nail trend is all about sporting an effortless and understated…
Read MoreInterested in entering Nailympia Competitions? Webinar dives into its 2025 direction
Are you keen to learn more about Nailympia Competitions? Buddy Sims, learning experience (LX) specialist for hair & beauty education platform, Pivot Point International, hosted a webinar with Alex Fox, global director of Nailympia Competitions, and seasoned judge & nail expert, Vitaly Solomonoff, which is available to watch back here. The webinar explored Nailympia’s…
Read MoreCambridgeshire nail tech: how I created my dream salon space after 20 years
Dominique Sharpe’s Godmanchester nail business rebranded to The Nail Editor in May 2024, and the nail stylist moved into the professional studio she had longed for since qualifying as a nail tech in 2004. In the early stages of her career, the three-time Scratch Stars Awards finalist struggled to find an environment in which she…
Read More