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What is a nail habit-tic & can it be treated?

By Katie Barnes | 12 February 2025

When a client sits at your nail desk and presents you with a nail like the below, you may wonder whether it is a contraindication that you should not treat. This is habit-tic deformity. Most commonly seen on the thumbnails, this nail condition is usually a result of onychotillomania: a…

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Nail & beauty apprenticeships: salons share benefits, their experiences & advice

By Rebecca Hitchon | 11 February 2025

In a recent poll on Scratch’s Instagram, almost 80% of respondents shared that they’re considering taking on apprentices. Here, two UK salons share how they’ve reaped the rewards of the apprenticeship process.. Nailspa, West Yorkshire “As a business owner, I believe that when it comes to employees, you cannot beat…

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Self-employment help for nail techs: legal, financial & operational considerations

By Lilly Delmage | 5 February 2025

All the legal, financial and operational factors to consider before making those all-important choices… Deciding to become a self-employed nail tech is just the beginning, and we’re here to help you navigate it all. From choosing whether to work from home or as a mobile tech, to deciding which insurance…

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Robbie Tomkins reveals what’s in his kit bag

By Sophie Nutt | 20 June 2019

Here, I’m giving you a little peek inside my kit bag – I’m going to reveal the products I love, the ones I simply couldn’t live without and my Fashion Week essentials. I’ve never worked in a salon, so I’ve only ever worked with a session kit. The obvious main…

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Money

Keep your money safe with these security tips

By Kat Hill | 18 June 2019

According the Office for National Statistics’ Crime Survey for England and Wales, last year saw an 8% increase in overall theft offences estimated. While the survey noted a 3% decrease in burglaries, the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ still rings true. Saving both time and money in the long…

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Male Marketing Lead

How to market to male clients

By Sophie Nutt | 15 June 2019

The male beauty market is booming as salons see men make up one in five clients*, indulging in their appearance through treatments such as manicures and pedicures, waxing and tanning. We witness old-fashioned stigmas attached to men paying ‘too much’ attention to their appearance or the notions that a ‘real…

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How to market male grooming services

By Scratch Staff | 15 June 2019

Are you boosting your beauty business by opening up your doors and treatments to male clients? Here, the experts reveal how to market yourself successfully… “You already have a strong female clientele base and these clients may have husbands, boyfriends, fathers, brothers, uncles and friends – all potential customers at your…

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Beauty Waste

Tracy Sutton shares five ways to limit your impact on the environment

By Sophie Nutt | 13 June 2019

Our industry’s war with waste is significant. Public awareness surrounding packaging, plastic pollution and the environment is at its highest due to media coverage, new regulations and reports. No one knows the absolute right thing to do in order to solve the issue, and everyone has different values and approaches,…

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Why it’s important to charge your worth

By Katie Barnes | 11 June 2019

In the nail industry, we are fortunate to have such a rewarding career. However, with this in mind it is still important to remember that you, along with your peers, educators and colleagues are all running a business. Remember you’re not a charity, if you want to help people you…

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