MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hara Gel Polish Artist 2025 winner nails

Hara Professional unveils Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025

By Helena Biggs | 12 December 2025

Nail brand, Hara Professional, has unveiled Wigan nail pro, Alyx Olivia Mills, as winner of its 2025 gel polish contest – and a prize worth £2,500. The search for Hara Professional’s Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025 began on 1 September 2025. Techs from the UK and Ireland were…

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Great British Beauty Clean Up

Great British Beauty Clean Up 2026 drives shift towards reusable product packaging

By Scratch Staff | 11 December 2025

March will see the return of The Great British Beauty Clean Up (GBBCU): a nationwide collaboration between retailers, brands and professionals created by the British Beauty Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition, with the aim of reducing waste. Around 120 billion units of packaging are produced each year, and The GBBU is…

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Jessica Cosmetics nail brand

Gerrard International acquires Jessica Cosmetics nail brand

By Rebecca Hitchon | 11 December 2025

Nail and beauty distributor & training provider, Gerrard International, has announced its acquisition of Jessica Cosmetics. The Hertfordshire-based company, founded by manicurist, Susan Gerrard, and her late husband, Ian, has been leading Jessica Cosmetics’ UK arm for the past 35 years, helping to make it the nailcare brand’s most successful…

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Dec 2025 low res scratch cover

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New research reveals SPF skincare confusion

By Kat Hill | 14 August 2018

As many Brits fly off for their summer holidays, research from Mintel has revealed that just under half (47%) of women use facial skincare products containing SPF, with 39% using a specific sun protection product and 13% using other facial products containing SPF. Despite high usage, there remains confusion around…

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Britain’s women spend a whopping £1.15 billion on facial skincare

By Kat Hill | 11 August 2018

A new report from market intelligence agency, Mintel has revealed that British women are spending more than ever on facial skincare. In 2017 British women spent a beautiful £1.15 billion on facial skincare, with sales set to increase by 3% to reach £1.18 billion in 2018. Over the next five…

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ELEMIS Breast Cancer Care

ELEMIS donates thousands of pounds to Breast Cancer Care

By Sophie Nutt | 10 August 2018

For the 18th year, ELEMIS is supporting the Breast Cancer Care charity through a donation of £25,000 and a limited edition Pro-Collagen Rose Cleansing Balm. Every year ELEMIS has produced a limited edition pink product as a reminder for customers that checking your breasts should be as regular as applying…

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Nail lamp (1)

Home nail kits & undercured product has led to an ‘allergy epidemic’

By Scratch Staff | 9 August 2018

The British Association of Dermatologists has issued a warning that (meth)acrylate chemicals, found in acrylic, gel and gel polish systems, are causing ‘a contact allergy epidemic’ in the UK and Ireland. Their concerns are based on a European study that has found that 2.4% of people tested had an allergy…

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OPI Peru stall

Explore Peru: OPI reveals AW18 collection

By Sophie Nutt | 8 August 2018

This year, OPI is taking us on a journey through Peru as it reveals it’s new autumn/winter collection consisting of 12 shades inspired by the South American country. Celebrating the release of the OPI Peru collection, a showcase was held at the fitting Lima Floral restaurant in London’s Covent Garden.…

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Robert Nguyen

Robert Nguyen joins Entity Beauty as creative director

By Helena Biggs | 7 August 2018

Award-winning nail technician and design expert, Robert Nguyen, has joined Entity Beauty as creative director. With over a decade of experience in the nail industry, Robert has spent a large portion of his career as a brand leader and product developer, working to cultivate his passion of creating products and…

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