EXPERT ADVICE

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Buying an E-file & bits? Nail techs: here’s what to consider

By Rebecca Hitchon | 21 February 2025

Nail experts share what to know before buying an E-file and bits… Choose the company carefully “Purchase from a reputable professional brand that also provides high-quality training for its E-file range, as undertaking this training is the best way to ensure the tools are being used correctly,” says Giorgia Cappella,…

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No-shows & cancellations: how to prevent & handle them in your beauty business

By Marie-Louise Coster | 20 February 2025

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares advice for client no-shows and cancellations… Every beauty business, at some point, has a client that doesn’t turn up for their appointment. You will have blocked out time and potentially turned other clients away, but are left with an empty appointment…

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Nail Biting Picking

How to stop nail biting & picking: experts share treatment plans to break the habit

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 February 2025

Finalists in the Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year category 2024 share tips for nail biting and picking clients… Why do people bite and pick at their nails and skin? “Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, and skin picking and biting, named perionychophagia, are habits associated with stress,…

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Are UV & LED nail lamps safe?

By Guest Writer | 7 January 2021

Globally renowned scientist and nail expert, Doug Schoon, explores the safety concerns surrounding UV nail lamps… The facts that I will outline below demonstrate that UV curing nail lamps are safe, despite attacks by the misinformed media, fear-mongers and TV celebrity doctors. This controversy started in 2009 when two dermatologists…

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5 ways to improve your online nail & beauty tutorials

By Katie Barnes | 5 January 2021

You don’t have to be a teacher to create tutorials for your customers. There are two kinds of tutorials: short ‘how to at home’ demonstrations for consumers and more in depth, factual lessons for professionally trained techs, taught by qualified teachers. They serve different purposes and offer different results. Owing…

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Dream Nails Press On Nails

Press-on nails: How & why you should create them during lockdown

By Guest Writer | 4 January 2021

The first UK lockdown saw nail professionals turn to a variety of means to generate cash flow, including creating press-on nails for clients & sending by post. Thanh Vu, managing director of four Dream Nails salons, reveals points to consider if you’re thinking of turning to press-ons during lockdown… Press…

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How To Create A Snowflake Nail Design

How to create a snowflake nail design

By Guest Writer | 31 December 2020

A snowflake nail polish design to get you in the spirit of the festive season, by Sophie Harris-Greenslade, aka The Illustrated Nail. This design uses striping tape, so you don’t need a steady hand or to be an expert in the nail art game to create it. You will need:…

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Why An Influencer Could Be Good for Business

By Alex Fox | 30 December 2020

 It’s a big buzzword – but what in fact are ‘influencers’ and how can they benefit your business? Scratch speaks to DAVINA KUMAL, PR and influencer relations manager at Forma Brands to find out more…  Advice on implementing a successful influencer strategy for your business  “Over the past couple of…

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The Massive Nail Tips of Moscow by Maltseva

By Alex Fox | 23 December 2020

Leading Russian nail artist, educator & international judge, Elena Maltseva, shares with Scratch her quirky nail art canvasses There are certain nail cultures that we can depend upon to come up with amazing, unique and bizarre ways to deliver exciting nail art ideas and on this occasion Russia has scooped…

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