Hand cream

Stats show surge in online demand for lockdown nail products

By Kat Hill | 23 April 2020

New data from e-commerce platform RedBrain.com has revealed a shift towards a ‘feel-good’ factor in what the UK has been searching for and buying during lockdown. In the week commencing 13 April, RedBrain.com found demand was up in the following nail categories: Nail art kits & accessories – over 600% Cuticle…

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E commerce

Health & beauty crowned strongest growing market in March

By Sophie Nutt | 23 April 2020

A study by ChannelAdvisor has found that health and beauty e-commerce GMV spiked last month as consumers were forced to stay indoors due to the Covid-19 outbreak. According to the study, the health and beauty industry has seen year-on-year growth that spiked in mid-March, which marks the time when lockdowns…

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Vodex 1200x800

Extract dust & fumes at the nail desk with Vodex

By Scratch Staff | 22 April 2020

Help keep hygiene levels tip-top on your return to work with a fume and dust extraction unit from Vodex. The company, founded in 2011, has a mission ‘to protect people and products at work’ and ‘ensure that all clients are performing at the top of their industry in a safe…

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Mel lewendon nail art challenge

Nail tech embraces lockdown with A-Z nail art challenge

By Helena Biggs | 20 April 2020

Melanie Lewendon, Scratch Stars Mixed Media Artist of the Year finalist 2020, has been keeping her creative streak alive through an A-Z nail art challenge. The talented tech has been creating one mixed media nail design a day for every day of lockdown, each themed around a different letter of…

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Furlough coronavirus

Coronavirus: Furloughed workers & what it means for business

By Helena Biggs | 20 April 2020

Tina Chander, partner & head of the employment team at Midlands law firm, Wright Hassall, deals with employment law issues for businesses of all sizes. Here, she reveals what being ‘furloughed’ means amidst the coronavirus crisis… The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is designed to help businesses that would otherwise be forced…

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Instagram logo

Instagram to roll out Story sticker to support small businesses

By Kat Hill | 17 April 2020

Instagram has revealed a new sticker for its Story function to help support small businesses in the Covid-19 crisis. Ideal for nail & beauty businesses and local salons, the new function will make it easier for users to discover gift cards online and encourage customers to make purchases through business’…

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Natasha ray noir grooming

Ways to self-care while self-isolating

By Scratch Staff | 15 April 2020

Salon owner, Natasha Ray, owner of the Noir Men’s Grooming Lounge in Beverly Hills, USA shares her ideas on self- love & care while self-isolating… It’s important to use this time of uncertainty to focus on gratitude instead of fear to help remove anxiety during this stressful time. Focus your…

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Remote learning tpc

Remote learning: How to keep students motivated

By Scratch Staff | 14 April 2020

Sarah Brenton-Sara, lecturer in Level 2 & 3 Nail Services & Beauty Therapy at Truro & Penwith College, shares advice for fellow educators considering a remote way of teaching, & how to keep students motivated during the coronavirus pandemic… Thank goodness for social media. I have had meetings with my…

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Kayley cairns nhs nails

Mani Monday: Nails in honour of the NHS

By Alex Fox | 13 April 2020

Multi award-winning nail artist and Scratch Stars finalist 2020, Kayley Cairns, speaks to Alex Fox about the steps she took to create extreme stiletto nails in honour of the NHS amidst the coronavirus pandemic… Humbled, as we all are watching key workers dedicate their time to saving lives, nail professional,…

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Technology phone watch

Coronavirus: 3 ways to use tech to keep clients interested

By Scratch Staff | 12 April 2020

Jo Martin, marketing director at Sally Salon Services UK & Ireland, reveals how you can you use technology to engage existing clients and attract new ones… Like many other sectors, the nail industry has been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. At first, nail salons and freelancers took the decision…

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Amy pierce beauty loft

Rochdale nail tech to appear on ITV to discuss business impact of COVID-19

By Helena Biggs | 9 April 2020

Amy Pierce, founder of The Beauty Loft in Rochdale, is to appear on ITV’s Tonight show to reveal the impact of coronavirus on her business. Airing at 7.30pm on 9 April, the programme explores the emotional and financial implications that COVID-19 is having – and may continue to have –…

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World nails live

Scratch editors to join nail industry pros in #WorldNailsLive broadcast

By Scratch Staff | 8 April 2020

Canadian nail artist, Valerie Ducharme, and Flux Nails CEO, Nancy Craveiro have launched #WorldNailsLive, a series of free, live social media streams that take place across Facebook and Instagram until 23 April 2020. Each stream aims to entertain, inform and teach nail professionals from all over the world. “Nancy and…

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Nail lacquer polish varnish 1200

Online sales of nail products soar by 12% during lockdown

By Helena Biggs | 8 April 2020

The NPD Group has reported that online sales of prestige nail products increased 12% in the week beginning 16 March 2020, when the general public were instructed to implement social distancing due to coronavirus. With salons and beauty businesses later instructed to close, the week beginning 23 March saw online…

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Amber jane mcleod

Tech Talk: Spreading positive vibes via a 4D Piglet

By Helena Biggs | 7 April 2020

Scratch shines the spotlight on Amber-Jane McLeod, a talented tech who has crafted a 4D creation to promote positivity during the coronavirus outbreak Amber-Jane McLeod of The Little Beauty House, Salisbury, began her journey into the nail industry eight years ago, when she trained in Gelish application courtesy of the…

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Hd brows trend workshop 2

HD Brows stylists offer discounted treatments to NHS staff

By Sophie Nutt | 7 April 2020

In this time of uncertainty and crisis, a number of HD Brows stylists and beauty therapists across the country are focusing on giving back to those who are working tirelessly to battle Covid-19 on the frontline. A number of salons are offering free treatments to NHS workers, once it is…

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