EXPERT ADVICE
AI is changing the beauty salon game: here’s how it can help you stay ahead
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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A beauty business coach’s guide to goal setting for 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
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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New year, new you: How nail businesses can plan for the year ahead
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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4 updates to make to your beauty business in 2025
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
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
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 nail business planning: expert tips for new year success
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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As an employer, hiring and keeping the right staff for your business will undoubtedly be your biggest ongoing challenge. In terms of hiring, you will need to be thorough in your employment process; clear on what your business requires and can afford, and ensure your staff understands and is happy…
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Helena Linsky, co-director of salon chain, Q61, shares her thoughts on the importance of encouraging CPD within your team. “Education is at the heart of Q61, and has allowed us to develop our team, and, consequently, our brand since our inception in 2015. “As an integral part of the business,…
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With the Scratch Stars Awards 2019 opening for entry 1 February and Nailympia competitions on the horizon, industry veteran Sue Davies reveals why it’s important to enter nail competitions – and what it takes to win… With a number of industry awards at our reach, is can be a challenge to figure out which ones…
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No two days are the same in the life of a nail pro, which sometimes throws up some awkward occurrences. One common incident is when a client questions the price of a manicure; but how do you handle such a query once the treatment has been completed? Kelley Colley, of…
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Strong logo imagery on your high street shop front can differentiate you from local competition and can help etch your brand in an individual’s mind. For mobile technicians, having your logo on all promotional materials, business cards and social media will help to build a brand, helping clients to recognise…
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As your most prized tools, your hands come under a lot of stress. “As with many physical jobs, busy nail technicians can experience ailments over time, including Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,” explains CND™ education ambassador, Lysa Glover. “CTD is the result of repeated ‘trauma’ to the…
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