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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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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Ads Essentials

Dip into a new system

By Kat Hill | 13 June 2018

Thinking of dipping your toe into a new service? Jody Rogers, INK London educator for Wales, reveals some reasons to consider adding a dipping system to your treatment menu… “The acrylic dipping system is one of the latest ‘trends’ to hit the nail industry,” explains Joby. “However, this system isn’t…

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Here’s why you shouldn’t neglect the one colour manicure

By Katie Barnes | 12 June 2018

Educator and award-winning nail technician, Katie Barnes, reveals why its important to realise your one colour polishing skills – as well as extravagant nail artistry… Seeing outrageous and eccentric nail creations posted across social media can have positive effects on the industry. It showcases the skill and imagination of techs…

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Kerry Pilates

Pilates exercises for nail techs

By Kat Hill | 1 June 2018

After struggling with back pain herself, beauty therapist and owner of The Revive Company, Kerry Beavis found practising Pilates allowed her to get back on her feet and back to work. Keen to share her passion, Kerry sought training to become an instructor – promoting wellness both inside and out…

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Finding your salon software solution

By Kat Hill | 30 May 2018

Do you know what to look for when selecting your salon software? The expert at Premier Software reveal some top tips… “Salon technology needs to be flexible, adaptable and mobile,” explains Leonie Wileman, chief operations officer at Salon by Premier Software. “Technology must be that extra pair of hands, providing…

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How to choose the right brush for your L&P nail needs

By Katie Barnes | 29 May 2018

Educator and award-winning nail technician, Katie Barnes, offers advice on choosing the right brush for L&P acrylic needs… Alongside your technical skills, your brush is an important element for achieving good results with L&P. Sometimes, the only way to tell the quality of a brush is in its performance and…

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Starting a new nail business

By Kat Hill | 29 May 2018

Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System Gellux techspert and owner of SKETCHED by J-A Nails, highlights some areas to consider… “Starting a new business isn’t easy but it doesn’t have to be complicated either, just be prepared to do some research. First of all, location is key. If you don’t have a large clientele…

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