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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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Sustainable Suppliers

3 steps to choose a sustainable supplier for your beauty business

By Guest Writer | 13 September 2023

Charlotte Scallon, head of sustainability & regulation at waste management company, Biffa, offers a three-step strategy to help businesses understand how to choose a sustainable supplier… Choosing a sustainable supplier that helps you meet your goals can be challenging, but the process should be energising, not daunting. Our three-step strategy…

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Here’s why you shouldn’t let your nail & beauty tools air dry after cleaning

By Katie Barnes | 11 September 2023

Most nail tools and e-file bits are made from steel and iron. Rust occurs on nail tools, E-file bits, and other metal items when water (or moisture including humidity) and oxygen come into contact with iron or steel for a certain amount of time. This is a naturally occurring chemical…

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How nail & beauty pros can use Pinterest to boost their business

By Chloe Randall | 5 September 2023

According to social media management site, Combin, 76% of Pinterest users are women, with females aged 25 to 34 dominating the platform. The Scratch Nail Industry Survey 2022 revealed that this age range makes up the majority of nail clients, so embrace your target audience by understanding the social media…

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Website

Nail techs, here’s why you need a business website

By Marie-Louise Coster | 27 August 2023

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, begins her monthly column for Scratch by sharing the benefits of having a business website – and why social media is not an alternative… A website can be an expensive resource, and once built it requires work. So why do you…

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Manager

4 ways to nail being a first-time manager

By Rebecca Hitchon | 24 August 2023

Experiential learning company, Impact International, shares a guide to being a first-time manager… Managing a team can be an exciting experience but it can also pose challenges, particularly for first-time managers and those transitioning from a team member to a leader. Statistically, managers promoted from within are more likely to…

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Self Assessment

HMRC: It’s time to check your Self Assessment registration status

By Guest Writer | 21 August 2023

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) answers common questions to help you understand whether you may need to register or deregister for Self Assessment this tax year, and why this matters… Time is running out for you to check if you need to submit a Self Assessment tax return for the…

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