Posts by Jess Watts
From student to success: how mentorship shapes nail industry talent
Lead image: nails courtesy of Instagram.com/beautybyalafair_ Alafair Shove of @beautybyalafair_ is a 19-year-old self-employed pro who has been blossoming in the nail industry for three years. She shares the secrets to her success… Kent-based beauty business owner, Alafair, has gone from strength to strength over the last three years. From placing second in the WorldSkills…
Read MoreCat eye & velvet nails: what’s the difference & how are they created?
2025 has seen the rise of textured nail finishes, with cat eye and velvet nail looks dominating salon styles. But what is the difference between the two seemingly similar designs, and how can they be created? Cat eye and velvet nails boast a lot of similarities, including products used and general aesthetic. However, there is…
Read More5 tips to make gel nails last longer
Check out our advice to make gel manicures and pedicures go the distance… 1. Listen to a nail professional This is arguably the most important tip of all. Think of nail techs as personal trainers for long-lasting manis, pedis and nail health, as they know what they are talking about! If your personal trainer suggests…
Read More22 tartan nail designs for the perfect plaid polish
Widely known for its Scottish origins, plaid – also referred to as tartan – is a geometric pattern consisting of horizontal and vertical lines that overlap each other with varying degrees of transparency. Though Scotland is thought of as the ‘birthplace’ of tartan, historians have found samples tracing back to Ancient China. The pattern is…
Read MoreBritish Beauty Council announces England rugby player as first sport ambassador
Image credits: Marie Claire and Maggie Joyner The British Beauty Council, a ‘not-for-profit organisation dedicated to solving beauty’s shared challenges’, has announced the appointment of its first sport ambassador during British Beauty Week. Tatyana Heard, who won the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 with England and is a Six Nations champion, has established herself as…
Read MoreUpscale your nail art skills with 50 designs inspired by reptiles
Check out entries to the 22 October 2025 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Reptiles. Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge. Follow Scratch on Instagram and Facebook for future Creative Challenges – launching every other Wednesday.
Read More16 stunning nail designs for Scorpio season
22 October to 21 November marks the season of Scorpio. The eighth astrological sign, Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto, and those born within this celestial period are said to have traits such as fierce passion, determination, intuition and mystery. Often described as magnetic characters that others are drawn to, the Scorpio sign boasts…
Read More30 beautiful brown nail art ideas for the perfect mocha mani
We are officially back in brown, baby! As one of the nail shade stars of the autumn/winter season, it is only right that we round up some earthy inspo to aid mocha manicures…
Read MoreThe Solihull beauty salon celebrating a decade of success
Charlotte Walton ventured into the nail industry with passion and purpose, qualifying with Izabelle Hammon in 2008. Over seven years, she built her client base from her home studio before making the leap to owning her own salon. Cutie-cals, Charlotte’s beauty space in Solihull, is now celebrating a decade of success, creativity and client loyalty.…
Read MoreDua Lipa nails: The star’s most marvellous mani moments
Featured image courtesy of Instagram.com/dualipa. From gem-bellished tips to polka dot perfection, Dua Lipa‘s nail looks are notorious for their innovation, trend-setting and creativity. Often crafted by the singer’s go-to nail artist, Michelle Humphrey of @nailsbymh, each set tends to top the trend cycle, providing inspiration for nailists everywhere. Scratch has rounded up the best…
Read MorePlum perfect: 38 purple nail designs & products to get your creative juices flowing
According to WGSN’s Global Colour Forecast, purple is set to be a big hit. The report states: “Purple is a culturally emotive colour with links to royalty, love, mystery and spirituality.” Enter plum: a universally loved fruit and stunning nail shade. Plum is incredibly versatile; the hue can be worn as a vampy nod towards…
Read More16 products that will help you nail the cat eye manicure trend
Lead image courtesy of @hopejungnails using Light Elegance P+ Gel Polish in Ice Kitty, available via www.lightelegance.co.uk. The iridescence and reflective depth of cats’ eyes have long entranced humans. So much so, that their power has been harnessed to create stunning nail designs. Specially crafted magnetic nail products contain metallic particles which, when passed over…
Read MorePro brand, Nail Jam, enters UK market with versatile 11pc builder gel range
Nail Jam is the passion project of Petra Janosikova, a nail tech with 16 years’ experience who is ‘deeply influenced by Eastern European beauty trends’. Petra was influenced to enter the nail industry by a family member who was a nail technician. She began perfecting her gel polish skills, and upgraded her skillset to hard…
Read More3 predictions set to impact the global beauty & personal care industry
Global market intelligence company, Mintel, has unveiled research that predicts future trends in approaches to beauty. “By 2030, beauty will go beyond skin-deep,” says the market intelligence hub. “The beauty experience will shift from simply delivering results to regulating mood and evoking emotion, while imperfection will be the new perfection.” Three key trends Mintel highlights…
Read MoreThe GelBottle Inc introduces Hard BIAB™ to aid nail length & durability
The GelBottle Inc, the nail brand behind the popular BIAB™ (Builder In A Bottle™) enhancement product, has launched an evolution of the builder gel: one that is engineered to meet client demands for durability, length and smooth application. Hard BIAB™ is a hybrid formula that combines the strength of hard gel with the slick application…
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