EXPERT ADVICE

Katie Barnes Canva Allergy

Home gel kit dangers & 6 ways to prevent allergies at the nail desk

By Katie Barnes | 11 January 2025

Many people turned to DIY nail kits during the coronavirus lockdown. They may have been visiting a nail pro for months, years or even decades – before suddenly, the luxury of a nail appointment was gone, and some saw a solution in home application of gel polish. DIY home kits…

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Self-employment help for nail techs: registration & tax essentials

By Lilly Delmage | 11 January 2025

Are you keen to take the leap into self-employment? Here’s a guide to the registration and tax essentials you need to know… For nail technicians working in salons who seek greater control over their careers, self-employment often feels like a natural next step. It offers professional and creative freedom, aiding…

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AI is changing the beauty salon game: here’s how it can help you stay ahead

By Guest Writer | 10 January 2025

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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Goal List

A beauty business coach’s guide to goal setting for 2025

By Guest Writer | 7 January 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

By Lilly Delmage | 3 January 2025

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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2025 Goals

New year, new you: How nail businesses can plan for the year ahead

By Marie-Louise Coster | 1 January 2025

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

By Guest Writer | 30 December 2024

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

By Lilly Delmage | 22 December 2024

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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Here’s how to make manis last if your client has excessively sweaty hands

By Emma Hobday | 13 September 2021

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis being the technical term) is surprisingly common and can affect the whole body or just certain areas, like the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis). It’s normal to sweat if you get hot or do exercise, but you may be sweating excessively if you’re sweating when your body does not…

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4 ways to empower your employees

By Emma Hobday | 7 September 2021

Want to empower your staff members? Lucy Pastorelli, founder of LP Tools, shares how she motivates & boosts morale amongst her team of 22 employees… 1. Inclusion. Everyone has an opinion, and we always make sure that we listen to each member of staff – whether they’ve been employed at…

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katie barnes ombre nails

How to create an ombré nail style

By Katie Barnes | 7 September 2021

The ombré look is a popular nail style choice, particularly when created using with pink and white shades to replace a traditional French finish. Perfecting it can be a bit challenging however, especially when you’re under the watchful eyes of your clients and time restraints of the appointment. There are…

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2020 Shoot Out winner: Ivana Prokic

By Kat Hill | 26 August 2021

Scooping first place in The Great Scratch Shoot Out 2020 for the second time, Ivana Prokic’s winning entry combines a flawlessly executed shot with a stunning personal story in line with the competition’s theme: ‘You’. “It was very exciting to hear we had won – I had felt a lot…

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Put down the file! Here’s why you need to focus on L&P brush techniques

By Katie Barnes | 24 August 2021

As a liquid & powder user, it is important to learn to sculpt mainly with the brush and not rely on filing to shape the enhancement. This is exactly what ‘sculpting’ is. By definition sculpting is ‘to create or represent (something) by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.’ Whether we…

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How to effectively teach nail salon clients about aftercare

By Katie Barnes | 10 August 2021

Customer education is critical to maintaining a successful nail and beauty business. Sharing aftercare and other maintenance tips can be difficult, especially if you’re back-to-back with clients or want to avoid sounding pushy. However, the service doesn’t end at the nail desk. Following the correct aftercare can be as important…

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