TECHS & SALONS

Jade barber nail competitions

Kent nail artist: How I navigate nail competitions with autism & ADHD

By Guest Writer | 18 March 2025

Jade Barber, founder of Nail & Beauty Excellence & Scratch Stars L&P Tech of the Year 2022, shares her experiences of neurodiversity in the nail arena… I began competing early in my nail career, as my educator entered me into a student category at a Professional Beauty nail competition. Without…

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Working together: The mothers & children building businesses in the nail industry

By Scratch Staff | 16 March 2025

The nail industry has often been described as ‘one big family’, but for many nail brand owners, techs and educators, this really is a reality. To celebrate Mother’s Day, Scratch spoke to mother-child duos and trios on how they work together within nail and beauty businesses to build success… Belinda…

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Staffordshire tech: Working from a home salon has been the best decision I’ve made

By Lilly Delmage | 15 March 2025

Katie Pritchard of Katie Lou Nail Artist and Educator opens her salon’s doors to Scratch and shares the benefits of becoming a home-based tech. Having been in the nail industry for 20 years, Katie has experimented with a variety of ways of working. She says: “I have worked as a…

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Melanie lewendon nails

Melanie Lewendon shares her thoughts on nail art, competing and our industry

By Kat Hill | 13 October 2018

Tell us about your training… My training has been really varied. I started life out as a beauty therapist 12 years ago. I came 2nd in the World Skills National Final that year for beauty and second in Sebta UK competition. It wasn’t until I stumbled on gel polish I…

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Tita Turner opens up about working with anxiety

By Sophie Nutt | 10 October 2018

It’s World Mental Health Day, and while our industry boasts confidence, communication and creative flair, many nail technicians deal with anxiety on their own everyday, effecting their work and personal lives. Although mental health is being spoken about more openly in recent years thanks to charities and activists, there is…

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Katie barnes nailympia

Why nail techs should push themselves out of their comfort zone

By Katie Barnes | 9 October 2018

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a nail structure girl through and through. Give me a pink & white challenge and I am in my element and what I would consider my weakness, is art. I can paint a face well, but the steps to achieve it don’t…

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Oksana smirnova

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Oksana Smirnova, Oksana Salon

By Sophie Nutt | 9 October 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Oksana Smirnova, of Oksana Salon, says geometric nails incorporating autumnal hues have been popular with her clients recently. “I have more and more clients asking for geometric designs, I think it’s a fashion now in all sectors; from the…

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Terri eaton nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Terri Eaton

By Sophie Nutt | 7 October 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Terri Eaton, wears a matte dusky mauve and a bespoke glitter mix for an autumnal look that still sparkles in the crisp sunshine. “I fancied some autumnal, but not too dark, nails, and I also wanted to use…

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Gemma sunderland nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Gemma Sunderland, Gemma Sunderland Nails

By Sophie Nutt | 2 October 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Gemma Sunderland, of Gemma Sunderland Nails, reveals that navy blue hues and deep purple tones have been popular with her clients during the autumn transition. “I think this design has been so popular because of the change in season…

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