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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Checklist

Reopening: Back to work checklist

By Kat Hill | 6 April 2021

Are you ready for the return to work? Scroll down for our checklist to help prep you and your business for reopening. Treatments offered by nail & beauty professionals are classed as ‘close-contact services’ and foster specific government guidelines that must be followed to ensure safe working practice. You have…

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Gloves pic katie barnes nails

Confused about glove certification? Katie Barnes sheds some light

By Katie Barnes | 30 March 2021

In a previous Scratch post, I discussed the purchasing of genuine, safe PPE and how to use and remove it correctly. Lack of nitrile glove use or using the wrong nitrile gloves can cause issues that our industry is far too aware of due to allergies. The Covid-19 pandemic has…

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Mask

Reopening: Learn about PPE

By Scratch Staff | 26 March 2021

Are you ready for the return to work? Here, we recap PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to help prep you and your business for reopening. Treatments offered by nail & beauty professionals are classed as ‘close-contact services’ and foster specific government guidelines that must be followed to ensure safe working practice.…

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Lockdown upskilling

Lockdown: how to up-skill as a nail tech

By Chloe Randall | 22 March 2021

For many nail technicians and salon owners, lockdown has given them the gift of time. Time to either learn new nail techniques, how to improve their business, or simply, going back to basics. Here are some techs who share how they have up-skilled their nail techniques during this time… “For…

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UK nail brand addresses UV lamp issue thru’ quality testing with +ve results

By Alex Fox | 20 March 2021

 Champion nail artist, international educator & distributor, Hazel Dixon, founder of HD Professional Nail Systems in the UK, talks candidly about the controversy surrounding UV/LED lamp usage & how she’s successfully addressed the issue with her nail brand.   by Hazel Dixon   After the success of my HD gel…

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imix: Your questions answered!

By Scratch Staff | 19 March 2021

The innovative imix device for effortlessly mixing nail lacquers and gel polishes launched on 1 March to widespread acclaim across the nail sector. The handy hands-free mixing device alleviates the stress on the wrists through regular shaking and supports perfect colour application. It uses magnetic mixing technology to improve the…

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