EXPERT ADVICE

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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I’ve been a beauty pro for 30+ years: here’s how I set boundaries with clients

By Marie-Louise Coster | 19 December 2024

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares her experiences with boundary-pushing clients… I imagine most of you went into the nail/beauty industry to make people happy. I also imagine that you expected clients to be grateful and courteous at all times. I don’t suppose you imagined that sometimes…

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2025 Business Planning

2025 nail business planning: expert tips for new year success

By Guest Writer | 18 December 2024

Belinda Price, OPI UK&I education and capability manager & owner of Nailspa, Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year 2024, shares advice… During the busiest season of the year for most nail and beauty professionals, it can be hard to see past 31 December. But as the dust…

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xmas recycling

Spread Christmas cheer sustainably: 3 ways to recycle festive items

By Guest Writer | 15 December 2024

Decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts, and sending out greeting cards are some of the most cherished Christmas traditions, but after the festivities, how do you dispose of the excess? Gabriella Peace, marketing communications manager of UK Greetings, offers her take on how you can give your Christmas items a…

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Nail Lamp

Nail product polymerisation: what it is & why you need to understand the process

By Dani Bailey | 31 July 2024

Dani Bailey, nail educator & recipient of The Shooting Star Award at the Scratch Stars Awards 2024, explains the polymerisation process… The invention of curable products was a big revolution for the nail industry. Client smudging their nails? Never again! Customers not being able to put their shoes on after a…

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How to make the most of a nail competition

By Guest Writer | 29 July 2024

Belinda Price, OPI UK&I education & capability manager, reveals why you should enter nail competitions – and how to make the most of the experience… Entering nail competitions is a great way to grow your skillset and develop your business. It’s a way of assessing where you’re at, setting goals,…

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Ctpa Sun Care

CTPA shares advice on enjoying the sun safely this summer

By Guest Writer | 28 July 2024

With the weather heating up, it’s time to brush up on suncare do’s and don’ts. The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) offers guidance on how to stay safe in the sun this summer… Seek out shade, particularly between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is usually at its most…

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Runners Feet Woman Running

9 tips for tending to runners’ feet

By Scratch Staff | 26 July 2024

While you may want to keep the running extremes to Olympic athletes, the Games might leave you feeling inspired to get into the sport. Discover the common nail and skin woes of runners, and how to tackle them for the ultimate foot finish… “Runners can be very prone to a…

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Katy Pottle Nail Colour Wheel

Colour theory: How to create harmonious & eye-catching nail art

By Katy Pottle | 26 July 2024

The World’s Star Nail Artist 2023, Katy Pottle, explores how the magic of colour theory can elevate your nail art designs… No matter what stage you are at on your nail journey, understanding how to play with colours can take your nail styles to the next level. Do you remember learning…

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Happy Nail Tech Client

How to create a loyal nail client base

By Guest Writer | 24 July 2024

Elaine Watson, global education director at Light Elegance, shares top tips to create a thriving nail business… Do you ever feel like you’re constantly hustling to find new clients, only to see them disappear faster than a rogue rhinestone after a wild night out? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Building…

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