EXPERT ADVICE

Canva Picking Nails

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…

Read More
Apprenticeships Header Lacie The Beauty Room Brentwood

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…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 87

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…

Read More
Feb25 Low Res Cover Scratch For Web

Read the latest issue

Becca Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px

How to use salon towels more sustainably

By Green Salon Collective | 25 July 2022

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. In this blog, Stephanie Hodgson, head of research and development at GSC, reveals the Collective’s top tips…

Read More
Becca Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px

How to be a water-wise beauty business

By Green Salon Collective | 12 July 2022

Green Salon Collective 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. For this blog, the Collective explains how you can value and protect water in your beauty business. Environmental…

Read More
Nail Foils

How to recycle metals from your nail business

By Green Salon Collective | 28 June 2022

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. In this blog, the Collective details how to ensure your business’ metal waste is properly recycled –…

Read More
Katie Barnes Holding Tools Properly Blog

Revealed: Why the angle in which you use your tools is important

By Katie Barnes | 21 June 2022

In a previous blog post for Scratch, we covered the importance of correctly holding your nail brush for success. This covers angles and where on the brush you hold.   This is no different for nail tools or other implements we may use throughout the nail service. If your tools…

Read More
Becca Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px

How to minimise plastic waste in your nail business

By Green Salon Collective | 17 June 2022

Green Salon Collective 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. In this blog, the Collective explains how to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by your business.…

Read More
Katie Barnes Nail Infill Feature

How to reduce your nail infill time

By Katie Barnes | 7 June 2022

Infill and maintenance services can be the bane of a tech’s life, taking a considerable amount of time, and often undercharging for the time spent.   However, a lot less time is required than you would think. I am going to share my top tips on infill and maintenance procedures…

Read More