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Glass ceiling

Break the glass ceiling: how to attract premium beauty clients & grow your business

By Guest Writer | 12 March 2025

Beauty business mentor & award-winning entrepreneur, Stevey Powell, shares advice for if you’re experiencing the ‘glass ceiling’ effect… We start our beauty businesses with a passion for what we do and over time, build a loyal client base and keep our calendars booked. But for some of us, there comes…

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Mums to be, new & mature mums

Mother’s Day: how to tailor nail treatments to mums-to-be, new & mature mums

By Rebecca Hitchon | 9 March 2025

Mother’s Day offers a chance to boost your treatment offerings to satisfy a range of clients. Let us show you how… Mums-to-be The aches and strains of a pregnancy warrant some well-deserved TLC, so turn your focus to expectant mothers. “Mothers-to-be have a lot to prepare for and depending on…

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Zero waste

5 steps to become a zero waste to landfill nail salon

By Green Salon Collective | 7 March 2025

Green Salon Collective (GSC) was founded in 2020 by environmental experts, campaigners and beauty professionals, with an aim to help member salons in the UK and Ireland to responsibly dispose of their waste. Here, GSC shares how to tackle your salon waste and become zero to landfill, to reduce your overall…

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Feb25 Low Res Cover Scratch For Web

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Katie barnes

Katie Barnes on why you don’t say ‘Chinese salons’

By Katie Barnes | 12 December 2017

Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, addresses the issue of non-standard salons and incorrect terminology – with a helping hand from CND educator, Anna Lee Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Many technicians and clients are guilty of referring to non-standard salons as ‘Chinese salons’, ‘Viet…

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Katie barnes nail anatomy

Nail anatomy: an overview

By Katie Barnes | 21 November 2017

Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, serves up insight on nail anatomy… As a professional nail technician, it is paramount that you familiarise yourself with all parts of nail anatomy to ensure you are offering your clients a professional and thorough service. Understanding the purpose and growth…

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Natasha lee

TOP TIPS: Embracing video content for your business marketing

By Helena Biggs | 9 November 2017

Bring a little movie magic to your marketing with video content to catch the eyes of clients and fellow pros. After all, with social media at the touch of a button – it’s vital to grab attention and see how it can benefit your business through moving content. “I think…

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Apex placement for almond

An insight into the nail apex

By Katie Barnes | 10 October 2017

Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, serves up advice on apex placement for different nail shapes What is the apex?  The apex should be the highest part of an enhancement, located at the weakest point and created to give the nail balance and strength. It should be visible from every angle but is most noticeable from the side view. The…

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Katie barnes glitters for blog

Why you shouldn’t use craft glitter in your nail services

By Katie Barnes | 26 September 2017

Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals why you shouldn’t use craft shop glitter in your nail services. There are many techs using craft glitters in their nail services because they may have seen someone else do it, it is low cost and easy. You may think it’s…

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Damaged nails incorrect removal

How to deal with damaged nails

By Katie Barnes | 12 September 2017

Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to tackle common characteristics of damaged nails… One of the most challenging roles we play as nail technicians is the role of repair man or woman. We all have clients who come to us with weak, thin and damaged…

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