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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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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Calculator

How to work out what you need to charge for nail services in 10 steps

By Katie Barnes | 26 May 2020

Upon the return to work for nail techs, one of the most important considerations along with health & safety is likely to be a pricing for your services. Many technicians are guilty of looking to their competition when pricing their nail services. When considering your prices; whether setting these from…

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Cosmetics

Where to safely purchase your nail products

By Katie Barnes | 8 May 2020

In a time of financial crisis both home users and professionals may be turning to third-party online retailers and auction sites to purchase what they assume is a genuine but cheaper cosmetic nail product. When I discuss third-party online retailers, I am not referring to an educator or wholesaler that…

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Rosie Tomkins Lead

Coronavirus: How nature & our animal intelligence can help

By Kat Hill | 6 May 2020

Rosie Tomkins is founder of the Natural Capital Consultancy and author of N-stinctive, an inspirational book that provides s an alternative to traditional leadership training. Rosie aims to unlock the power of the natural world to provide strength and confidence to people. Here, Rosie Tomkins, shares her advice… With Covid-19,…

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Nail Salon Shields

Nail desk shields: should you invest?

By Scratch Staff | 4 May 2020

There is much discussion and concern regarding how post-lockdown measures will affect salon visits – and how nail professionals will both work and interact with clients safety. The BBC has seen a draft government plan to ease current restrictions for workplaces in which social distancing is not possible. According to…

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Social Media

Why you should keep in touch with your clients

By Kat Hill | 29 April 2020

This is an uncertain time for the nail industry. Now may offer an opportunity to focus on the factors that are within your control to help navigate your way through this challenging time for businesses. In order for your business to stay relevant, you must keep updated and work with…

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Furlough Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Furloughed workers & what it means for business

By Helena Biggs | 20 April 2020

Tina Chander, partner & head of the employment team at Midlands law firm, Wright Hassall, deals with employment law issues for businesses of all sizes. Here, she reveals what being ‘furloughed’ means amidst the coronavirus crisis… The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help businesses that would otherwise be forced…

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