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Runner feet

9 common nail & skin problems for runners & how to treat

By Scratch Staff | 13 April 2025

Discover the common nail and skin woes of runners, and how to tackle them for the ultimate foot finish… “Runners can be prone to a lot of foot problems,” explains nail educator & brand adviser, Rachel Gribble. “Hard skin, ingrown toenails and bruised nails are some of the most prevalent.…

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3 steps to increase your beauty treatment prices without guilt

By Guest Writer | 12 April 2025

Beauty business mentor, Stevey Powell, shares how she teaches pros to confidently increase their service prices in three steps… The thought of raising your prices can feel overwhelming and downright scary. You can feel guilty and worried about losing clients. But here’s the secret: it’s all about how you frame…

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Katie barnes chrome guide

Chrome pigments: a nail expert shares a troubleshooting guide

By Katie Barnes | 6 April 2025

Educator & award-winning nail pro, Katie Clark, offers advice for dealing with issues that can arise when using chrome pigments… The chrome nail trend is ever-popular, but are you applying chrome products correctly? Each brand may have slightly different instructions, so always follow these and get in touch with the…

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UK ranked 14th most expensive country for beauty

By Kat Hill | 12 July 2017

A report comparing the cost of beauty products and services across 50 countries has been released. From Linio.com, the statistics showed where beauty products and services are most affordable, with the top-ranking countries showing the most affordable overall. The UK ranked 36th overall, out of the 50 countries. Vietnam was the…

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Novalash flashlight

TOP TIPS: Marketing through nail photos

By Helena Biggs | 6 July 2017

“Seeing is believing, so one of the best ways to market your business is by showcasing before and after images that demonstrate the services your salon offers – and the quality of the results,” comments Heather Hughes, UK director at NovaLash. “Achieving the perfect before and after picture is one…

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Beauty marketing on a budget: 5 steps to success

By Guest Writer | 5 July 2017

Tom Ferris, owner of Blackwell Ferris Marketing, reveals how to maximise your marketing success – even when your budget is limited One of the biggest issues with a new business is how to market when budget is an issue, so this month’s blog post is all about tips and tricks to…

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To pinch or not? Katie Barnes on nail enhancements

By Helena Biggs | 23 June 2017

Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how and when to use pinching tools… There is often a debate within the industry about whether or not you should pinch L&P and gel enhancements. I think there are situations where it is necessary and others where it is…

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How to take care of your nail tools

By Katie Barnes | 24 May 2017

Salon owner, educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to take care of your tekking essentials; your tools. From scissors and cuticle pushers to tweezers and nippers, the sharp implements you use as a professional nail technician must be properly maintained. To perform safe and professional nail treatments, it…

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How to maximising the social media offerings of your beauty business

By Guest Writer | 21 May 2017

Tom Ferris, owner of Blackwell Ferris Marketing, reveals how to make the most of your social media platforms and posts… “Read all about it!” used to be called on the streets – as that was how we used to be enticed to buy a newspaper and find out about the…

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