EXPERT ADVICE
AI is changing the beauty salon game: here’s how it can help you stay ahead
Richard McCabe, aka the Lifestyle Salon Coach, shares how artificial intelligence can benefit your beauty business… Love it or hate it, AI is changing how businesses work – and that includes salons. Just like past tech revolutions, if you jump on board early, you’re more likely to come out on…
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A beauty business coach’s guide to goal setting for 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
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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New year, new you: How nail businesses can plan for the year ahead
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
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
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
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 nail business planning: expert tips for new year success
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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Following a study by Yell – which revealed that 87% of beauty businesses could be losing out on almost £80 per appointment, as a result of not charging for additional time spent with ‘friendly’ clients – the business marketplace’s head of PR, Sarah O’Rafferty, details four ways business owners can set…
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Feeling the chill? Scratch explores the impact that temperature has on nail products and serves up practical points to note… Creating a comfortable atmosphere in the salon is important for you and your clients, but maintaining a consistent temperature is also vital to ensure that your nail products perform at…
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Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year 2022 & 2023, Clare Woodcock of The Nail Club, shares her advice on setting intentions for 2024… Remind yourself to work smarter, not harder. Put systems and policies in place to create boundaries and take the emotion out of running your business. This will allow…
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Alicia Humphreys is owner of Pink Fox Salon Socials, which works with UK hair and beauty salon owners to grow their social media presences and help them attract new clients. The company offers bespoke services in social media management, strategy and training. Here, Alicia shares social media engagement advice… Social…
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Stepping into 2024 provides a chance to evaluate your business to support your career growth. From goals to finances, marketing and competition hopes, Scratch explores how nail technicians can plan and prepare for the year ahead… 1. Reflect on your business & set new goals Before getting caught up in…
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Here’s what you really need in your nail tech starter kit & why you shouldn’t buy from just anywhere
There are generally two types of students I see starting out in the nail industry; those who buy everything possible, and those who are on a tight budget and buy inferior products. Sometimes, I look at the kits of my students and see that they have more stock than me!…
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