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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: cater to clients with a disability

By Sophie Nutt | 30 August 2018

As a salon owner, nail technician or mobile therapist, you want to open up your business to more customers and provide the best in treatments and experience; but are you making it easy and welcoming for those with a disability to choose you? According to disability charity, Scope, 13.9 million people…

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How to use Facebook features to benefit your beauty business

By Guest Writer | 28 August 2018

Marketing and nails expert, Theresa Cientanni, reveals how to use Facebook features on your business page… If you have a business, you’re bound to be one of the 307 million Europeans on Facebook. And rightly so – the platform is crucial to your social media marketing strategy, and with five new…

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Branding tips to make your nail salon stand out

By Scratch Staff | 23 August 2018

Brand your salon to ensure it stands out from the crowd with top tips from Andrew Dark, director and co-owner of printwear and branding specialists, Custom Planet Setting up a nail salon can be the start of something exciting, but with so many up and down the country, it can be…

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How to forge a successful career in the nail industry

By Guest Writer | 22 August 2018

Yesterday, I caught up with beauty business expert, Liz McKeon, as she shared all of her top tips on how to run a successful nail business. Arranging to meet in The Soho Hotel, London, myself and Liz made ourselves comfortable in the hotel’s drawing rooms, alongside Mark Smith (aka The…

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Why lateral structure will help your nails go the distance

By Katie Barnes | 22 August 2018

Educator and award-winning nail technician, Katie Barnes, reveals why nail endurance is dependent on nail structure – and serves up advice on perfecting it… Beauty and endurance are two of the main qualities a client looks for when it comes to their enhancements. Both tech and client don’t want to…

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How to service clients suffering with eczema

By Scratch Staff | 4 August 2018

Do you know how to help clients with the common yet chronic skin condition of eczema? As sometimes present on the hands and arms, your pre-treatment consultation should see you able to identify the condition, and adapt your treatment if needed. Alice Lambert, director of services at National Eczema Society, shares her advice……

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