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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Maddie Regan

How to make your nail art stand out

By Guest Writer | 18 May 2021

Maddie Regan, Scratch columnist & top tech at 81 Rose Garden, shares some pointers to ensuring your nail art stand out Art is very emotive, and I don’t think nail art is an exception. When I’m wearing a design, every time I look down at my nails, I feel a sense of pride. I’m proud…

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Counterfeit Stock Image

Fake versions of my nail tools were being sold on eBay – Here’s what I did about it…

By Katie Barnes | 18 May 2021

Recently, I discovered a company selling counterfeit Katie Barnes Tool Range® products on eBay. My brand is my name, so I had never considered that counterfeit versions of products under my name would be created. It’s something that I thought only big companies and designers would experience. How wrong I…

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Mental Health: 5 ways to help manage anxiety

By Chloe Randall | 12 May 2021

This week is Mental Health Awareness week which encourages global mental health education. It also helps to raise awareness of mental health issues and combat social stigma by addressing issues that affect many people every day. In a role that demands you constantly care for others, it is important to…

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11 ways to help your mental health

By Scratch Staff | 11 May 2021

Help look after your mindset & mental wellbeing during lockdown, with Monika Stachon, business coach & owner of Nail Boss Strategy & Mindset… It’s hard not to feel alarmed, when all social media, news outlets and daily conversations with clients are overloaded with fear, uncertainty and chaos. Undoubtedly, this is…

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Nail Tech Happy

5 ways to boost beauty salon staff morale

By Scratch Staff | 11 May 2021

In a slump? Try these top tips for boosting your own morale – and that of your team – to make the workplace environment a happier place… 1. Host regular meetings Employees like to be communicated to and to know, generally, what’s going on, so holding regular team meetings can cater…

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3 ways to #ConnectWithNature to support good mental health

By Helena Biggs | 10 May 2021

The last year has seen us ‘locked down’; nesting inside the same four walls for longer periods of time than any of us have ever known. Many have been isolated at home alone, others in a pressure-cooker style environment with family or friends; both of which can contribute to feelings…

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