EXPERT ADVICE

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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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11 top tips for businesses during the coronavirus outbreak

By Sophie Nutt | 20 March 2020

Beauty business expert, Liz McKeon, says that now is the perfect time to work on your business. Below are her top 11 tips to navigate your way through coronavirus… Don’t be an ostrich by burying your head in the sand 2020 is a different world now – you need to…

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Coronavirus: Still London owner shares advice to techs facing salon closures

By Sophie Nutt | 20 March 2020

Shelly Elson, founder and creative director of Still London, explains why she made the decision to close the salon doors from Tuesday morning and shares advice to fellow techs facing similar difficulties… Closing any business is heart wrenching, even on a temporary basis, and the decision to close Still London…

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Keep Calm

4 ways to stay in business

By Scratch Staff | 19 March 2020

Now is the time to keep calm and remain professional, says Marian Newman. Here, the nail industry icon shares ways to stay in business during the current uncertainty…  “It may feel like Armageddon is descending fast, but it will pass. The UK is a first world country and a relatively…

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Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Practical steps for your nail business you can implement today

By Metta Francis | 19 March 2020

Multi award-winning mobile nailist, Metta Francis, shares a number of practical steps you can implement to reduce the impact of coronavirus on your nail business… Over the last few days, I have spoken to many nail/beauty professionals and business owners who are all feeling rather unsettled. Clients are cancelling appointments, events…

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Aviva Day Spa

Coronavirus: How to reassure salon & spa clients of good practice

By Zoe Wickens | 18 March 2020

Janan Saher, director of Aviva Day Spa in Luton, talks about the difficulties her business is facing due to COVID-19 and how she and her team are tackling hygiene issues… I’ve been reading so many negative and scary posts that I thought I would try and turn that around to give…

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Katie Barnes Nails

Coronavirus: 7 ideas to help your business survive tough times

By Katie Barnes | 18 March 2020

As nail technicians and beauty therapists, our customer appointments rely on face-to-face contact for us to perform our services and earn income. We are all aware of the impending detrimental effects that the current global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on our nail and beauty businesses. Now is the…

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