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What is a nail habit-tic & can it be treated?

By Katie Barnes | 12 February 2025

When a client sits at your nail desk and presents you with a nail like the below, you may wonder whether it is a contraindication that you should not treat. This is habit-tic deformity. Most commonly seen on the thumbnails, this nail condition is usually a result of onychotillomania: a…

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Nail & beauty apprenticeships: salons share benefits, their experiences & advice

By Rebecca Hitchon | 11 February 2025

In a recent poll on Scratch’s Instagram, almost 80% of respondents shared that they’re considering taking on apprentices. Here, two UK salons share how they’ve reaped the rewards of the apprenticeship process.. Nailspa, West Yorkshire “As a business owner, I believe that when it comes to employees, you cannot beat…

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Self-employment help for nail techs: legal, financial & operational considerations

By Lilly Delmage | 5 February 2025

All the legal, financial and operational factors to consider before making those all-important choices… Deciding to become a self-employed nail tech is just the beginning, and we’re here to help you navigate it all. From choosing whether to work from home or as a mobile tech, to deciding which insurance…

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How to maintain professional etiquette in your marketing

By Sophie Nutt | 20 September 2018

You might be putting your energy into social media marketing, advertising, or using a variety of methods to encourage new business – but are you fully utilising this by maintaining professional etiquette? Competition in the beauty industry is rife and, although you may be a dab hand at nail services,…

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How to boost salon retail sales

By Scratch Staff | 19 September 2018

Techs – it’s time to use your nail and beauty knowledge to turn up the heat on product sales and increase revenue. DAVE HORTON, director of ABT, serves up his top retail tips… One of the most overlooked, and easiest to rectify, areas where beauty and nail businesses lose money…

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Hygiene How-To: Lash Treatments

By Kat Hill | 18 September 2018

Ruth Atkins, Salon System expert, breaks down each component your lash treatment to ensure ultimate hygiene… The Client  After preparing the client onto a freshly papered couch with fresh towels, sanitise your hands using an isopropanol-based hand sanitiser or chlorhexidine gluconate solution, which is an antimicrobial agent. Thoroughly rinse hands…

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How to pack your mobile tekking kit

By Kat Hill | 11 September 2018

Mobile techs – carrying around a full salon set up is no easy feat, so be wary of the strain this may cause. Even though you’re on the move, hygiene, as well as health and safety, should be paramount to your service as a professional. A streamline kit with miniature…

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The importance of a well-lit workstation for nail technicians

By Sophie Nutt | 6 September 2018

As a nail professional, you rely on your vision for precise product application, so make life a little easier and prevent strain with adequate task lighting. Hannah Robertson, Nail Harmony UK South West educator, explains, “If you don’t have great light to work in as a nail tech, you can…

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Offer a safe wax with these top tips

By Kat Hill | 4 September 2018

Ensure a smooth service with these top tip for an ultra-hygienic waxing treatments from the Sienna X team… “The more professional your waxing set up, the more likely clients are to return,” enthuses Annabelle Yardly, of Sienna X. “To maintain a professional image, ensure your work area is hygienic and keep your…

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