THE LATEST NEWS & FEATURES

Katie Barnes Canva Allergy

Home gel kit dangers & 6 ways to prevent allergies at the nail desk

By Katie Barnes | 11 January 2025

Many people turned to DIY nail kits during the coronavirus lockdown. They may have been visiting a nail pro for months, years or even decades – before suddenly, the luxury of a nail appointment was gone, and some saw a solution in home application of gel polish. DIY home kits…

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Self-employment help for nail techs: registration & tax essentials

By Lilly Delmage | 11 January 2025

Are you keen to take the leap into self-employment? Here’s a guide to the registration and tax essentials you need to know… For nail technicians working in salons who seek greater control over their careers, self-employment often feels like a natural next step. It offers professional and creative freedom, aiding…

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Ai Richard Mccabe Piece

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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Revealed: the 10 UK cities offering the best value for money manicures

By Lilly Delmage | 9 January 2025

Research by Capital on Tap has revealed the UK’s hotspots for ‘high-quality yet low cost’ nail services. Credit card and spend management platform for small businesses, Capital on Tap, has compiled The UK Beauty Report, analysing the cities that offer the best value for money in terms of self-care services.…

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vegan cosmetics

Veganuary: How to tell if your nail & beauty products are vegan-friendly

By Scratch Staff | 9 January 2025

Are your clients calling for vegan and cruelty-free products? Scratch explores how to tell if your nail and beauty products fit the bill… The global vegan cosmetics market is anticipated to reach $24.79 billion in 2028, according to research by Fortune Business Insights, and a whopping 82% of all new vegan items…

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Sammy Macdonald Victoria Beckham Nails

Get to know the Scottish nail stylist who led nail looks for Victoria Beckham

By Helena Biggs | 8 January 2025

In Sammy Mac’s two decades in the nail industry, she’s won numerous awards, opened a thriving nail salon chain and led multiple teams backstage at Fashion Week events. So what’s left on the career tick list for this Scottish nail pro? “Leading the nail team for the 2024 Victoria Beckham…

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Green Nails

50+ green nail designs that are trending right now

By Scratch Staff | 8 January 2025

Green nails have been dominating our Instagram feeds, and show no signs of going anywhere anytime soon! Check out our roundup of trending designs below…

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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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Nail Lamp

Nail product polymerisation: what it is & why you need to understand the process

By Dani Bailey | 31 July 2024

Dani Bailey, nail educator & recipient of The Shooting Star Award at the Scratch Stars Awards 2024, explains the polymerisation process… The invention of curable products was a big revolution for the nail industry. Client smudging their nails? Never again! Customers not being able to put their shoes on after a…

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Nail Technician

75% of UK hair & beauty businesses struggling to recruit more than 12 months ago

By Rebecca Hitchon | 30 July 2024

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has released the findings of its latest quarterly State of the Industry survey. UK hair and beauty businesses are continuing to battle the challenging economic climate, with this the biggest challenge for them, followed by recruiting experienced staff and finding apprentices. 16% of…

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Brat Green Nails

‘Brat’ green is summer’s latest colour trend: get involved with nail inspiration & products

By Rebecca Hitchon | 30 July 2024

Take a look at social media and it won’t be long before you are told that it’s a ‘brat summer’. Move over Barbie pink, summer 2024’s colour of the moment is ‘brat green’: a hue inspired by the release of British pop star, Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, Brat. Its…

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Estrid Empower Campaign Body Confidence Brixton Klaws

Nail tech takes ‘unique, eco-concious’ approach to body positive Estrid brand campaign

By Lilly Delmage | 30 July 2024

Vegan and cruelty-free hair removal and bodycare brand, Estrid, has marked its fifth year of body positive storytelling with a striking visual campaign. It has called upon the talents of inclusive, London-based nail artist, Brixton Klaws, to provide a sustainable, sensational approach to nail artistry on the campaign models. Aiming…

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Cherry Trend Nails

‘Black cherry’ manicures are trending: Be inspired by these 15 nail styles

By Lilly Delmage | 29 July 2024

While you may assume the ‘black cherry’ nail trend boasts hand-painted fruit designs, the trend actually takes inspiration from the deep red-purple hue of cherries – a sophisticated manicure which offers an alternative to classic black. Seeing an 8,700% rise in Pinterest searches, according to research by WeThrift, black cherry nails…

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Belinda Judges Ssas19

How to make the most of a nail competition

By Guest Writer | 29 July 2024

Belinda Price, OPI UK&I education & capability manager, reveals why you should enter nail competitions – and how to make the most of the experience… Entering nail competitions is a great way to grow your skillset and develop your business. It’s a way of assessing where you’re at, setting goals,…

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