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
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 55

Christmas nail art: 16 festive winter wonderland manicures

By Lilly Delmage | 11 December 2024

This season, snowy, magical landscapes dominate nail canvases, boasting sparkling snowflakes, white-dusted fir trees and reflective icicles. As for a colour palette, work with whites, silvers, blues, greens and browns to encapsulate a snowy winter walk. Here’s 16 snowy woodland manicures to inspire your nail creations…

Read More
Ctpa Agenda For Government Beauty 3.12.24

CTPA unveils Agenda for Government to aid sustainable beauty industry growth

By Helena Biggs | 9 December 2024

The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) formally launched its ‘Agenda for Government’ at a reception in the Houses of Parliament on 3 December. The UK trade association, which represents companies involved in making, supplying and selling cosmetics and personal care products, outlined a series of proposals to help the industry…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 53

From DIY nails to owning a home salon: how one tech turned her passion into a business

By Lilly Delmage | 9 December 2024

Bedfordshire-based nail tech, Jodie Day of @talonsbyjodie, started her nail journey simply wanting to learn how to do her own nails, however she enjoyed the training so much that she decided to turn it into her career. Jodie began her training in 2021 while pregnant, seeking a creative outlet. She…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 52

40+ gold manicures for a festive & fabulous nail look

By Scratch Staff | 7 December 2024

Embrace the gold rush in the nail world with glittering accents and metallic colour-block finishes, offering eye-catching, opulent effects. We’ve rounded up 40 glistening gold nail designs below…

Read More
Builder Gel Lifting Header

Why lifting can happen when using builder gel in a bottle & how to deal with it

By Katie Barnes | 7 December 2024

Since the rise in popularity of builder gels in bottles, I have noticed an increase in issues. When gel polish came onto the scene, many techs added this service to their menu, but did not carry out training in this medium; assuming it was the same as previous services. It…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 49

Revealed: the 10 UK hotspots where hair & beauty businesses are growing fastest

By Lilly Delmage | 6 December 2024

Research by financial technology company, SumUp, identifies the top towns and cities in the UK with the biggest growth in hairdressing and beauty businesses. By analysing ONS data over the past five years, SumUp has concluded that high streets are adapting to consumer needs, with 10 hotspots seeing a notable…

Read More