TECHNIQUE

L&p acrylic vs dip powder

L&P acrylic vs dip powder nails: what’s the difference?

By Lilly Delmage | 22 March 2025

The L&P acrylic and dip powder systems are both artificial nail offerings, and popular choices for a long-lasting, durable nail finish. However, they have distinct differences. Understanding the terminology and chemistry behind the products is essential for meeting your clients’ needs. Here’s what you need to know about each system……

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Gel vs gel polish nails: What’s the difference?

By Lilly Delmage | 5 March 2025

The gel and gel polish nail systems have notable differences, and serve distinct purposes at the nail desk. Understanding their uses and benefits is essential, in order to choose the right product for each client’s nail goals. The science behind gel products In the book: Nail Therapist – A Professional…

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Nail Biting Picking

How to stop nail biting & picking: experts share treatment plans to break the habit

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 February 2025

Finalists in the Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year category 2024 share tips for nail biting and picking clients… Why do people bite and pick at their nails and skin? “Nail biting, also known as onychophagia, and skin picking and biting, named perionychophagia, are habits associated with stress,…

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Nancy r beauty2trs

How to take nail art designs to the next level

By Scratch Staff | 9 March 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on the esteemed educators at Beauty2trs, the online platform for nail classes… This month:  Nancy Janssen reveals how to elevate nail artistry About Nancy Nancy’s nail career started in around 2011, and she claims to have been ‘living and breathing nails’ ever since. She has scooped various podium…

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Beauty2trs tracey shelverton

An online journey around the natural nail unit

By Scratch Staff | 24 February 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on the esteemed educators at Beauty2trs, the online platform for nail classes… This month:  Tracy Shelverton offers an insight into the natural nail unit About Tracy Tracy’s nail industry passion focuses on the nail itself and on maintaining and improving its integrity – regardless of what…

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Glass gel nails: Why I love the look & how to create it

By Scratch Staff | 20 February 2020

Nail tech & salon owner, Karen M Brown, shares her creativity and wisdom in a series for Scratch… Based in Scotland, Karen co-owns (with her sister) Sanctuary in the City; two multi-award-winning salon destinations. The duo also owns training academy, NABTA UK, and provides nail and beauty education across the…

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Sienna x skincare launch

Natural skincare with Sienna X

By Zoe Wickens | 31 January 2020

To celebrate the launch of Sienna X‘s skincare range, Sophie and I headed to Mortimer House Loft & Gallery, an upmarket venue in London. The brand new capsule skincare collection consists of 11 products, including cleansers, facial oils and a glycolic and fruit acid chemical peel ideal for signature in-salon…

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Brighter eyes with Lash Perfect

By Sophie Nutt | 6 August 2019

This morning, I headed to the Lash Perfect Beauty Bar in London, just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus underground station. The brand was hosting a drop-in event to celebrate and preview the launch of its new iRevive brightening eye treatment. The iRevive treatment can be performed as an add-on…

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Before

Lip plumping with Lip NV

By Sophie Nutt | 5 August 2019

This morning, the Scratch HQ was visited by Essex-based Lip NV educator, Laura White, to perform the No Needle Filler treatment on Scratch assistant ed, Kat. Before arriving at the Scratch office, Laura had sent Kat a thorough consultation form to fill out to ensure there were no contraindications that could prevent…

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