EXPERT ADVICE

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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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I’ve been a beauty pro for 30+ years: here’s how I set boundaries with clients

By Marie-Louise Coster | 19 December 2024

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares her experiences with boundary-pushing clients… I imagine most of you went into the nail/beauty industry to make people happy. I also imagine that you expected clients to be grateful and courteous at all times. I don’t suppose you imagined that sometimes…

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2025 Business Planning

2025 nail business planning: expert tips for new year success

By Guest Writer | 18 December 2024

Belinda Price, OPI UK&I education and capability manager & owner of Nailspa, Scratch Stars Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year 2024, shares advice… During the busiest season of the year for most nail and beauty professionals, it can be hard to see past 31 December. But as the dust…

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Robbie Session Work

Robbie Tomkins reveals his journey into session nail styling

By Scratch Staff | 14 February 2019

There isn’t a clear cut or methodical way to becoming a session technician. Everyone has a different experience and story of how they came to be on their hands and knees, painting a model’s toes through a pair of strappy stilettos in a disused warehouse in East London at 7am…

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How to take care of personal health & safety in the workplace

By Sophie Nutt | 14 February 2019

As well as ensuring the safety of clients, it is equally as important to take care of your own health & safety in the workplace. This includes maintaining a comfortable working environment, personal health and knowing when yo draw the line when it comes to treatments. “A small friction burn…

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Tammy Naf

Top tips for making your nail business stand out

By Scratch Staff | 13 February 2019

Tammy Koslowski, founder of award-winning NAF! Salon in Glasgow, reveals her advice for making your business stand out from the rest… In any given town, you can bet that there will be multiple beauty salons or mobile technicians, so how can you ensure that you stand out and get a…

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Top tips for nailing it backstage at Fashion Week

By Scratch Staff | 12 February 2019

Fashion Week is nearly upon us, and if your skills will see you secure a stint backstage as a nail stylist, follow these words of wisdom from fellow pros… KNOW YOUR LEAD “While assisting at Fashion Week, you are there on behalf of the lead session stylist and your work…

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How to handle negative comments about your business

By Sophie Nutt | 7 February 2019

As in any career, you’ll experience some bad amongst a lot of good – including negative reviews or poor feedback in person or on social media. However, negative comments don’t always have to be the marketing nightmare that many assume them to be. When handled well, they can even become…

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Jenny Harris

How to strike a balance between work & home life

By Scratch Staff | 6 February 2019

Make it easy to manage the separation between work and home life with advice from nail artist and educator, JENNY HARRIS… I entered the nail industry shortly after my daughter was born, as I sought work that would be flexible so I could look after her. I completed a diploma…

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