TECH TALK

E-file rings of fire prevention

What are rings of fire on nails & how can they be avoided?

By Jess Watts | 7 December 2025

Red rings or semicircles that appear on the nail – often referred to as ‘rings of fire’ – can strike fear into the hearts of nail techs and clients alike, but what causes them and how can they be avoided? “Rings of fire appear as red rings on the nail…

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Social media video creation tips

How to make your social media videos more watchable – a guide for nail artists

By Guest Writer | 23 November 2025

Nail content creator, Zoya Mac, shares what makes a social media video watchable, and how you can elevate your posts… Creating engaging video content is about more than producing aesthetically pleasing clips. You need to keep people watching. Picture this: your nail desk is set up, the nails are prepped…

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Giorgia cappella educating

From struggle to success: how a Brighton nail pro thrives with cystic fibrosis

By Guest Writer | 2 November 2025

Giorgia Cappella, head of education & spa at The GelBottle Inc (TGB), shares her experiences living and thriving with cystic fibrosis. What is cystic fibrosis? According to the NHS website, cystic fibrosis is ‘a rare, inherited genetic condition that causes breathing and digestive problems. There is currently no cure, but…

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Dec 2025 low res scratch cover

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Crystal Healing Kim Alexis

Why I use healing crystals in hand & foot therapies

By Scratch Staff | 4 February 2019

Kim Alexis, crystal healer, psychic spiritual medium, hypnotherapist & past life regressionist, reveals why she uses crystals in her hand & foot treatments… When a therapist massages the feet or hands, it feels so good because the physical sensation stimulated by touch sends messages from the skin’s nerve cells to the…

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Sinead Bulley nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Sinead Bulley, The Nail Shack

By Sophie Nutt | 3 February 2019

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Sinead Bulley, of The Nail Shack, wears leopard print-filled stars against a navy hue for an on-trend winter glam look. “I sculpted my nail extensions with Akzentz hard builder gel. Then, using Magpie Beauty Gel Colour in Midnight Sky, I…

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Swarovski workshop

Techs add sparkle to nails at the Swarovski Crystal Heaven Workshop

By Helena Biggs | 29 January 2019

Angel Crystals, a UK distributor of Swarovski nail crystals, invited a select group of techs to a fun-filled workshop at which they jazzed up their nails with Swarovski embellishments. Scratch‘s editor-in-chief, Alex, joined me for the trip to Swarovski’s London HQ, at which we were met by Antony Arnold of…

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Jodie Walley nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Jodie Walley, Nail Artist & Educator

By Sophie Nutt | 29 January 2019

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Jodie Walley, Nail Artist & Educator, reveals metallics have been popular with her clients recently. “I think the metallic look is so popular as it’s on trend and looks so effective! January is a dull month and my clients…

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Bobs burgers

MANI MONDAY: Bob’s Burgers

By Sophie Nutt | 28 January 2019

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! If you’ve ever watched the programme Bob’s Burgers then you will be just as obsessed as we are with this inspired design. The American sitcom follows Bob Belcher and his family as they run a burger restaurant – aptly named…

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Katie Ru nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Katie Ru, Katie Ru Nail Design

By Sophie Nutt | 27 January 2019

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Katie Ru, of Katie Ru Nail Design, wears a red tip fade design with hand painted patterns to create a chic look on an almond nail. “I created this gorgeous design using The Gel Bottle Inc BIAB in Baby as…

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