THE LATEST NEWS & FEATURES

Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 65

Unique salon decor: The Birmingham nail salon featuring a piano as its reception desk

By Lilly Delmage | 6 January 2025

Founder of Birmingham-based nail studio, Icey’s Beauty Lounge, Aysana Druga, shares the story behind the salon’s impressive entrance… In 2015, Aysana and her husband spotted a piano in the window of a charity shop. She recalls: “We had no idea where it was going to go at the time, so…

Read More
Tgb Jan 25 Scratch Snap Prize

Share your minimalist nail art for a chance to WIN over £400 worth of The GelBottle Inc products

By Rebecca Hitchon | 6 January 2025

The January Scratch Snap competition is open! Scratch Snap is a monthly, online nail art challenge that invites nail pros to create a salon-style nail design in line with a theme. Simply snap a pic of the design on yourself, nail tips or a client – and you could be…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 64

Slither into the Year of the Snake in style: 15 nail art ideas to celebrate Chinese New Year

By Lilly Delmage | 5 January 2025

Chinese New Year 2025 is celebrated on January 29th, welcoming the Year of the Snake. Thankfully, the nail industry is no stranger to snake-inspired designs, from snake-skin prints and hand-painted characters to 3D creations. However, if you’d rather steer clear of animal motifs, embracing the colours of the event is…

Read More
Becki Menzies Burns Night Nail Tech

I’m a Scottish nail artist working in London. Here’s what I miss most…

By Guest Writer | 3 January 2025

“If anyone from outside Scotland asks me, I say I’m from Glasgow, but as Scottish folk will read this, I’m actually from Livingston,” smiles Becki Menzies. The nail pro lived in Scotland for 28 years before moving to East London in 2023, where she works within tattoo space, Soteria Studios.…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 63

Capricorn chic: 17 trendy manicures to celebrate January birthdays

By Lilly Delmage | 3 January 2025

‘Tis the season of Capricorn birthdays! So, if your birthday lands between 22 December and 19 January, and you’re seeking your birthday manicure, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve rounded up 17 zodiac-inspired nail looks to celebrate Capricorn birthdays in style!

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 62

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…

Read More
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…

Read More
Glamourphile Nail Nexus Training Sara Cady Nail Art

Renowned nail artist launches The Nail Nexus online education platform

By Helena Biggs | 1 January 2025

Sara Cady, known among nail enthusiasts as ‘Glamourphile‘, has launched The Nail Nexus: an online learning platform for industry enthusiasts who keen to become nail professionals. The UK-based nail technician, artist & educator boasts over 10 years’ experience in the sector, and has worked in salons and from a private…

Read More
Scratch Snap Winner Dec 24

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap December 2024 nail art comp

By Rebecca Hitchon | 16 December 2024

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge for December has been announced as Carla Brannan. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs to fit theme, Unicorn Disco, in the bid to win a prize from Glitterbels. Entries were judged by Glitterbels CEO & co-founder, Annabel Maginnis, and Scratch deputy editor, Rebecca Hitchon. The…

Read More
Scratch Snap Dec 24 Entries

The dazzling ‘Unicorn Disco’ nail designs entered into December’s Scratch Snap comp

By Rebecca Hitchon | 16 December 2024

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge for December has been announced as Carla Brannan. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs to fit theme, Unicorn Disco, in the bid to win a prize from Glitterbels. Entries were judged by Glitterbels CEO & co-founder, Annabel Maginnis, and Scratch deputy editor, Rebecca Hitchon. The…

Read More
xmas recycling

Spread Christmas cheer sustainably: 3 ways to recycle festive items

By Guest Writer | 15 December 2024

Decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts, and sending out greeting cards are some of the most cherished Christmas traditions, but after the festivities, how do you dispose of the excess? Gabriella Peace, marketing communications manager of UK Greetings, offers her take on how you can give your Christmas items a…

Read More
Ghosting Jo Tompkins Article

Nail pros: Here’s how to handle clients ghosting you in the digital age

By Jo Tompkins | 13 December 2024

When someone stops replying to your messages without warning, it can feel like a gut punch – especially in business. You’ve poured time and effort into crafting the perfect message, shared your pricing and then… radio silence. But here’s the thing: ghosting is part and parcel of any business that…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 56

Cosy up with 40+ Christmas movie character-inspired festive nail designs

By Scratch Staff | 13 December 2024

Fuel your festive spirit by embracing the magic of movies with Christmas film character-inspired nail styles. Check out our roundup of reader designs below…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 57

Flaunt Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year with 45 Mocha Mousse manicures: #ShowScratch Creative Challenge

By Lilly Delmage | 12 December 2024

Check out entries to the 12 December 2024 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Mocha Mousse (Pantone’s Colour of the Year) Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge. Follow Scratch on Instagram and Facebook for future Creative Challenges – launching every other Wednesday.

Read More