BUSINESS

Katie Barnes Canva Allergy

Home gel kit dangers & 6 ways to prevent allergies at the nail desk

By Katie Barnes | 11 January 2025

Many people turned to DIY nail kits during the coronavirus lockdown. They may have been visiting a nail pro for months, years or even decades – before suddenly, the luxury of a nail appointment was gone, and some saw a solution in home application of gel polish. DIY home kits…

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Self-employment help for nail techs: registration & tax essentials

By Lilly Delmage | 11 January 2025

Are you keen to take the leap into self-employment? Here’s a guide to the registration and tax essentials you need to know… For nail technicians working in salons who seek greater control over their careers, self-employment often feels like a natural next step. It offers professional and creative freedom, aiding…

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Ai Richard Mccabe Piece

AI is changing the beauty salon game: here’s how it can help you stay ahead

By Guest Writer | 10 January 2025

Richard McCabe, aka the Lifestyle Salon Coach, shares how artificial intelligence can benefit your beauty business… Love it or hate it, AI is changing how businesses work – and that includes salons. Just like past tech revolutions, if you jump on board early, you’re more likely to come out on…

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Goal List

A beauty business coach’s guide to goal setting for 2025

By Guest Writer | 7 January 2025

Beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, offers up advice for the new year… It’s time to consider how you wish to make your mark on the industry over the next 12 months. You get to choose how you show up, what you offer clients and how you make a…

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Why nail technicians should enter the Scratch Stars Awards: tips from a nail competition maestro

By Lilly Delmage | 3 January 2025

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…

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2025 Goals

New year, new you: How nail businesses can plan for the year ahead

By Marie-Louise Coster | 1 January 2025

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares her tips for reviewing the last year and preparing for the next, in order to achieve success… Here we are again, another year gone and a new one in front of us full of opportunity, possibility and hope. It is…

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Woman Laptop Business

4 updates to make to your beauty business in 2025

By Guest Writer | 30 December 2024

Kim Ford, global business & beauty education expert, shares ways to make the most of quiet spells to improve your business long-term… The beginning of a new year is a great time to focus on business administration, such as updating operational and legal documents, and to consider if your marketing…

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Introverted nail techs: how to grow your skills & clientele comfortably

By Lilly Delmage | 22 December 2024

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’…

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L R Jaye Macdonald & Jen Linton, Directors, Linton & Mac, Aberdeen Colour 1 Copy

How to juggle social media, clients and your personal life

By Kat Hill | 21 July 2018

Are your struggling to strike a balance between juggling social media, clients and your own personal life? Jennifer Linton and J Macdonald, co-directors of Linton & Mac, Aberdeen, share their thoughts… “We opened our salon in September 2015, and since then have made a conscious effort to ensure our social…

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Andy Rouillard

Male waxing: Andy Rouillard shares six tricks for furless fingers

By Sophie Nutt | 19 July 2018

Whether you’re considering branching into male waxing or are a mobile tech with limited space varying from appointment to appointment, smaller services such as ear and nose waxing can be a good place to start. Waxing expert and owner of Axiom Bodyworks, Andy Rouillard, explains, “For nail techs interested in…

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Artistic Led Pro 36 Light

How to look after your UV/LED lamp

By Kat Hill | 17 July 2018

Louella Belle educator and Scratch Stars winner, Carrie Leigh-Allen, reveals how you should be looking after your lamp to ensure a oh-so professional service… “UV or LED lamps are expensive but an important part of our kit,” explains Carrie-Leigh Allen. “It is advisable to use the same brand as the product you…

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Karina Perematko 5

Shoot for photographic competition success with tips from Karina Perematko

By Kat Hill | 13 July 2018

Scratch chats to Karina Perematko, master nail technician and absolute master international educator with Crystal Nails London Studio Academy and owner of KP Vintage Studio, about entering The Great Scratch Shoot Out – and discover the story behind the shoot that scooped a close second place… “I was so happy…

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Nail Files That Need Replacing

How to tell when nail files need replacing

By Katie Barnes | 11 July 2018

Educator and award-winning nail technician, Katie Barnes, reveals why its important to know when your nail files need replacing… Something that is often overlooked (but is one of the most important tools in a tech’s kit), is the nail file. Without files, we cannot prep the natural nail or get…

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The Great Scratch Shoot Out: The Criteria

By Kat Hill | 10 July 2018

Entering The Great Scratch Shoot Out? The judging panel carefully score each entry individually to the following criteria. Read it closely – every point counts in a competition! Don’t forget! Entry closes on 31 August 2018 at 5pm GMT! Instant impact Does your image have a ‘wow’ factor that commands attention? Originality…

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