THE LATEST NEWS & FEATURES

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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Unique salon décor: 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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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!

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17 emerald green Wicked-inspired nail looks you’ll love

By Lilly Delmage | 21 November 2024

The Wicked-ly wonderful emerald green hue has been taking the spotlight recently, with the hype surrounding Universal Pictures’ highly anticipated film adaptation of musical, Wicked. This vibrant shade, inspired by the film’s protagonist, Elphaba’s signature colour has been making waves across beauty trends. Adding to the colour craze, Cynthia Erivo,…

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Winter Nails Canva Blue Silver Snowflake

Winter wonders: Must-have nail colour collections for the 2024 festive season

By Lilly Delmage | 20 November 2024

‘Tis the season of celebrations – and time to embrace joy, sparkle and eye-catching nail effects. From shimmering holiday hues to creative, winter-inspired designs, this season is all about embracing texture and decadent colour. Expect the staple hues to return – we’re talking forest-greens, ribbon reds, glittery golds and striking…

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Nail Ridges

Nail ridges: an expert shares causes & how to treat

By Guest Writer | 20 November 2024

Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year 2019 & CND™ education ambassador, Helen Burton-Ward, explores ridges on natural nails… There are many types of nail ridges, which can occur naturally or be inflicted by mechanical or environmental factors. Understanding how to correctly manage and treat them will help to maintain…

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Drew Sallows Tech Talk

Insights from a trans nail tech: what I want you to know

By Rebecca Hitchon | 19 November 2024

Drew Sallows of @t4tnails feels fortunate to have been surrounded by love throughout their nail career: working in accepting salon spaces, while being able to do the job that they adore. “I always knew I wanted an artistic career, and spent a lot of time watching content by Cristine of Simply…

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The experience of male nail techs in 2024: what’s it like?

By Lilly Delmage | 19 November 2024

Scratch reached out to male manicurists to better understand their experiences within the current beauty industry environment. Here’s what they said… Danny Manchip Instagram: @beausbeautybox Scratch Stars award winner & Beau’s Beauty Box owner, Danny, shares how being a man in the industry has impacted him: “If anything, these days…

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Texas nail tech: Clients have walked away from my services because I’m transgender

By Lilly Delmage | 18 November 2024

Texas-based nail technician, Dylan Michaud, shares how she refuses to let gender discrimination stand in the way of her career success… Having faced multiple clients refusing her services due to her gender, Dylan reveals her outlook on those experiences. She says: “Fortunately, I am very understanding that not everyone agrees…

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