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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Dana Cecil

Dana Cecil on why entering a competition helped her nail career

By Sophie Nutt | 28 February 2020

A lifelong passion for nails, positive attitude and fearless nature has seen Dana Cecil open her own salon, Nail Junkie, and rank seventh and fifth in two Next Top Nail Artist (NTNA) competitions, run by Nails magazine. With an inspiring project in the pipeline, Dana sees the future as a chance to grow and…

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Wellbeing

6 ways to promote wellness in your salon

By Sophie Nutt | 27 February 2020

Liz McKeon, beauty business expert, reveals six ways to promote wellness in your salon business… “Conduct health ‘wish list’ assessments. Create surveys that let employees share their health ‘wish list’. Such polls can include questions on topics like nutrition and exercise, while also asking how the business can support employee…

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Why you shouldn’t choose a one-day nail training course

By Scratch Staff | 26 February 2020

Award-winning educator, Hannah Garbett of Staffordshire Nail Academy,  reveals the implications of learning the art of nails in one day… Do you want to be a ‘pro’ or a ‘have a go’? If you want to become a nail tech, that’s awesome news. But if you want to become one…

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Beauty2trs Tracey Shelverton

An online journey around the natural nail unit

By Scratch Staff | 24 February 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on the esteemed educators at Beauty2trs, the online platform for nail classes… This month:  Tracy Shelverton offers an insight into the natural nail unit About Tracy Tracy’s nail industry passion focuses on the nail itself and on maintaining and improving its integrity – regardless of what…

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5 top tips for perfect nail competition preparation

By Scratch Staff | 21 February 2020

Lauren Holmes, winner of the Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year award 2019, reveals her 5 top tips for nailing your competition prep: Practice, practice, practice! Make sure you have done your competition set plenty of times, so you know your timings and order. Plan it out and…

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Bridal Nails

4 ways to market bridal nail services

By Sophie Nutt | 21 February 2020

Brides-to-be have a number of things to juggle in the run up to their big day, so help make it easy for them to find their dream nail look. Follow these four simple steps to market bridal nail services to potential clients… 1. Tailor treatments “I believe the best way…

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