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 Richard Mccabe Piece

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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Woman Laptop Business

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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Efile Nail Drill

E-files: Myth vs fact

By Scratch Staff | 10 June 2021

Awarding winning tech & educator, Paulina Zdrada of The Nail Lab, tackles common questions about e-files. E-files are one of the more versatile tools at your disposal in the sense that they can be used in a variety of ways for a range of reasons. Whether it be for prep…

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Tortie Feature

How to perfect tortoiseshell nail art using The GelBottle Inc

By Guest Writer | 10 June 2021

The GelBottle Inc’s resident nail technician, Helena Marimon, shares how to create tortoiseshell nail art… I advise using a layering method, first coined by TGB brand ambassador, Amy Rickaby. Start your design off with strong nail prep, ensuring cuticles are removed from the nail to enable perfect polish application. Apply…

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E File Stock Image Katie Barnes

Are e-file manicure techniques safe?

By Katie Barnes | 1 June 2021

As nail technicians, there is already a lot of strain and stress put on our hands, wrists and shoulders. It is important that we make the necessary changes and follow safe working techniques to look after our hands while offering our clients the very best service. We all know that…

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Faith Tiktok

How to create a TikTok for your nail designs

By Chloe Randall | 31 May 2021

Faith James of @faithjamesnails on TikTok, which boasts over 50,000 followers, shares how to create a TikTok for your nail designs… Step 1- Press the ‘+’ button at the bottom of the screen to get started. Step 2- Select the ‘60’ at the bottom of the screen if you would…

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Profit Loss Ria Jaine

How to keep your business finances on track

By Guest Writer | 27 May 2021

Ria-Jaine Lincoln aka The Beauty Accountant, shares top tips for keeping on top of your beauty business finances… It has been so great to see the industry get excited and ready to re-open and now is the perfect time, at the start of the financial year and in a fresh…

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French Manicure

French Manicure: How to match the perfect cover shade for your client

By Chloe Randall | 25 May 2021

Not one shade of nude suits all skin tones, therefore, to achieve a clean and polished French manicure, it is essential to make sure your cover shade matches your client. Here are some tips on how to achieve the perfect match… “Make sure you have at least three pink shades…

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