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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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Social Media Hands Nails

The top 5 mistakes nail techs are making on social media

By Jo Tompkins | 19 February 2024

I’ve probably looked at more nail tech social media pages than anyone else on the planet. I have also probably helped more nail techs than anyone else on the planet to get fully booked and earn £3-5k a month, and part of that strategy comes down to social media marketing. …

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Music Playlist

Why music matters in the nail salon experience

By Rebecca Hitchon | 27 January 2024

With 70% of Scratch readers playing music in the nail space, according to a 2023 Instagram poll, it’s important to learn how to cater sound to clients to ensure a comfortable experience. Freddie Moross is CEO of Myndstream, wellbeing-focused salon and spa music provider & an advisory board member for…

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Valentine Salon Desk

How to effectively market beauty treatments in the run-up to Valentine’s Day

By Helena Biggs | 23 January 2024

Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to upsell beauty services with nail art and encourage clients to try something new. What’s more, you can gain profit from enticing couples into the salon and promoting retail items as gifts. “The lead up to Valentine’s Day usually sees…

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Name

Here’s how to name your beauty salon business & treatments

By Guest Writer | 22 January 2024

Award-winning website & brand designer, Liz Rochester Shaddock of Bit2Flash, shares her top tips for naming your business and treatments to boost your brand… First steps Before naming your business, work on your brand strategy. This includes fully understanding your business’ values, vision, and the demographic and preferences of your…

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Pink Nail Salon

5 ways to attract clients to your nail salon business

By Guest Writer | 19 January 2024

Esteemed beauty business consultant & trainer, Nergish Wadia-Austin, shares five top tips to entice nail clients to your salon…  1. New season, new nail promotion Offer a special seasonal package that includes unique nail designs or exclusive colours. Highlight this promotion through targeted social media campaigns, and work with your…

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I’m a multi award-winning nail tech – and here’s my strategy for business success

By Jo Tompkins | 15 January 2024

After building a successful, award-winning mobile nail business, Joanna Tompkins was awarded the Scratch Stars Nail Business Mentor Of The Year Award in 2023 for her work within the free Nail Tech Tribe community and the Nail Business Success Club (NBSC). She supports sole trader nail techs and beauticians, who…

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