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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The Beauty Accountant scoops national award for supporting UK businesses

By Helena Biggs | 26 October 2021

Ria-Jaine Lincoln, an accountant who specialises in advisory services for beauty businesses, has been awarded Sole Practitioner of the Year at the Accounting Excellence Awards 2021. A columnist for Scratch magazine, Ria-Jaine was previously recognised with the Covid Hero Award 2020 for her continued support and guidance throughout the pandemic…

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alana lawson

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap October 2021

By Chloe Randall | 25 October 2021

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Alana Lawson.  In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for October & created nail designs inspired by ‘Halloween’ in the bid to win a prize from SNA Professional.  Judged by Scratch‘s news & features…

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sustainable beauty coalition

Sustainable Beauty Coalition calls for salons to commit to reducing emissions

By Rebecca Hitchon | 23 October 2021

The Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC), formed by the British Beauty Council in July 2021, has written an open letter calling for hair and beauty salons to commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The SBC exists to develop a clear strategy, roadmap and initiatives, which will accelerate the sustainability efforts…

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Revealed: How self-employed hair & beauty pros adapt in post-pandemic world

By Chloe Randall | 21 October 2021

According to a new report, up to 30% of self-employed workers in the hair & beauty industry have opted to convert garages and rooms in their homes or have gone mobile since the Covid-19 pandemic started. The report, Self-Employment in the Personal Care Sector, was conducted by trade associations British Beauty…

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Haircuts4Homeless launches Crowdfunder for book that will give 100% of proceeds to the charity

By Rebecca Hitchon | 15 October 2021

The charity Haircuts4Homeless, which works to give homeless people a confidence boost and make them feel less isolated through a haircut, has launched a Crowdfunder page to raise funds for the printing costs of a book, which will see all proceeds going to the charity. ‘Hear Me, See Me’ is…

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NHBF wins award for commitment to beauty industry & response to Covid-19

By Emma Hobday | 14 October 2021

The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has been recognised at the Association Excellence Awards for its commitment to the hair and beauty industry and its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The NHBF was presented with the Bronze Award for Best Covid-19 Crisis Response, which celebrates the essential work that the hair and beauty industry’s largest trade organisation has done on…

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