EXPERT ADVICE

French pedicure

How to nail the French tip pedicure

By Katie Barnes | 20 April 2025

Katie Clark, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, answers questions about perfecting the French pedi… How big should the French tips be? A French tip should mimic the natural free edge of the nail. Estimate how long the client will wait between appointments, plus…

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Why it’s important to take care of feet & advice for pedicurists

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 April 2025

The importance of footcare can be overlooked, particularly during colder weather when feet and toenails tend to be tucked into thick socks and closed-toe footwear. But footcare services are not just beneficial for pedicure season. Foot and toenail issues can arise at any time, and treating them early can prevent…

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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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Reduce reuse recycle

Explained: Circular economy for salons

By Green Salon Collective | 9 September 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, GSC details what a circular economy is and how beauty businesses can help to…

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What’s the difference between acrylic and gel and is one better than the other katie barnes header

What’s the difference between acrylic & gel?

By Katie Barnes | 1 September 2022

The word ‘gel’ lends itself to confusion because it describes the product’s physical state, but over time it has turned into a generic name of the product category. Whereas ‘acrylic’ is a two-part system of liquid and powder, often known as L&P. Where the powder in this two-part system has…

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Nails money exposure

‘Free exposure’ doesn’t pay the bills… or does it?

By Katie Barnes | 23 August 2022

If you’re a creative of some kind, whether a nail tech, educator or content creator, then you’ve probably come across the offer of exposure for free work. More often than not, this request comes from a successful, well established individual or business. The paradox is, if they are so successful,…

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5 ways to keep nail salon appointment books busy this summer

By Guest Writer | 27 July 2022

Beauty business expert and founder of Beauty Boss HQ, Layla Tourh, serves up advice for keeping the appointment books busy during the summer months… As we enter the summer holidays, we know to expect an increase in the obvious summer trending services, such as waxing, spray tans, and pedicures, but we…

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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…

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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…

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