Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 42

Return on investment: what it means & how to calculate it

By Guest Writer | 26 November 2024

Global business & beauty education expert, Kim Ford, explains what a return on investment means for your nail business, and how to calculate it. You may ask: what is a return on investment, or ROI? As an example, imagine you purchased a pedicure chair costing £1,000. How many clients have…

Read More
Nail Ridges

Nail ridges: an expert shares causes & how to treat

By Guest Writer | 20 November 2024

Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year 2019 & CND™ education ambassador, Helen Burton-Ward, explores ridges on natural nails… There are many types of nail ridges, which can occur naturally or be inflicted by mechanical or environmental factors. Understanding how to correctly manage and treat them will help to maintain…

Read More
Pedicure

Pedicure tips: how nail techs can safely support clients with diabetes

By Scratch Staff | 14 November 2024

According to charity, Diabetes UK, approximately 6% of the UK population suffer from diabetes. Learning about the condition and how to take extra care with clients who have it is key to making diabetic clients feel safe and able to enjoy their nail experience. Here, we explore how the condition…

Read More
Inclusion Orange Cut Out

The importance of creating accessible salon spaces for clients & staff

By Abi Hassan | 12 November 2024

Abi Hassan, owner of Canterbury-based salon, Hot Wheels Nails, explores key considerations for nail techs and employers when creating accessible salon settings to suit clients and staff… As a salon owner or an independent nail technician, it is important to consider ways in which your environment could be more accessible. Transparency…

Read More
Christmas Nails Pic

How & why nail techs should practice self-care this festive season

By Guest Writer | 10 November 2024

Fiona Fox, owner of Dorset salon, Ulu Beauty, provides training to beauty pros on areas including mental health awareness, safeguarding, equality and diversity. Here, she explores the importance of self-care for nail techs during the festive season and simple self-care fixes. For many, Christmas is a time to look and…

Read More
Dani Bailey Heat Spikes Piece

Heat spikes in gel nail services: why they happen & how to avoid them

By Dani Bailey | 9 November 2024

What is a heat spike? Why can a burning sensation be felt by clients when a gel product is curing? Dani Bailey, nail educator & recipient of The Shooting Star Award at the Scratch Stars Awards 2024, explains… In August, Scratch posted an opportunity on Instagram for people to send in their…

Read More
Cost Cutting Canva

5 ways your nail & beauty business can save money

By Katie Barnes | 7 November 2024

We are all feeling the pinch, so check out money-saving solutions for your nail and beauty business… 1. Be economical with your products Let’s use a nail file as an example. When you consider how much of a nail file you use in each service, it is rare that you…

Read More
Beauty Hunt Finances

A financial guide & checklist for nail & beauty pros

By Guest Writer | 6 November 2024

Vorke Kalusi, founder of beauty business resource, Beauty Hunt UK, serves up financial insight… Understanding finance terms Revenue: The money you make from your services. Expenses: The costs of running your business, such as supplies, rent and utilities. Profit: The money left after paying your expenses. Profit = revenue –…

Read More
Hema Gloves Gel Polish

HEMA: What is it, why is it used in nail products & is it to blame for allergies?

By Katie Barnes | 5 November 2024

What is HEMA? HEMA, also known as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or hydroxyethyl methacrylate, belongs to the monomer family and is used as an adhesive in nail products. Having an adhesive property in the product is important to prevent service breakdown. When alternative ingredients are used, using a coarser grit file can…

Read More
Katie Barnes Half Moon Nail Header

What it means to have half moons on your nails

By Katie Barnes | 2 November 2024

Fingernail half moons are the rounded, white shadows at the base of the nails. The industry term for this is lunula, which is Latin for ‘little moon’. The place where each nail begins growing is known as the matrix. This is where new cells are made that will make up…

Read More