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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Nail Ventilation

Back to work: What ventilation you need

By Scratch Staff | 24 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… The government’s Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-19 in close contact services guidelines state: “Maintaining good ventilation in the work environment, for example keeping windows or…

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Nail Tools

Back to work: How to care for your nail tools

By Scratch Staff | 24 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… The government’s Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-19 in close contact services guidelines state: Further increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning. Using disposable…

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Tatti Lashes

Why should you train in lash services?

By Sophie Nutt | 22 June 2020

Offering an instantly gratifying effect and requiring maintenance appointments at regular intervals – similar to nail services, lash treatments offer an opportunity for nail technicians to expand their skillset, boost income and attract new clients. According to The Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists, almost nine million lash treatments were carried out in…

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Going cashless with card machines

By Kat Hill | 22 June 2020

Cash in on taking card payments for your services with these tip from Helen Prowse, head of communications at Square UK… “Take some time to think about when you’ll take card payments – in person, in a shop, on the move, over the phone, or on the web – and look…

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PPE for nail techs: important points to consider

By Katie Barnes | 21 June 2020

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is equipment that will protect you against health or safety risks while performing your job. This has always been a requirement of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) for nail techs and in the current pandemic, it is also required to protect you, your workers…

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Face Mask

Back to Work: Staff matters

By Scratch Staff | 19 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… The government’s Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-19 in close contact services guidelines state: You must maintain social distancing in the workplace wherever possible. When providing…

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