Posts by Rebecca Hitchon
Nails inspired by spring trends: see 94 entries & winner of nail art comp
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art contest for April is Katarzyna Korzeniak of @katessimplynails. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Your Favourite Spring Trends, in the bid to win a prize from Andreia Professional. Entries were judged by Sara Pinto, Andreia Professional product director, and Scratch deputy editor, Rebecca Hitchon. The winner, Katarzyna…
Read MoreInside the ‘quirky but classy’ West Yorkshire salon offering a sanctuary for nail & beauty clients
Experienced beauty pro & educator, Narelle Wharton, shares the story of her Castleford salon, Narelle Beauty… The first Covid lockdown hit soon after Narelle Wharton had discovered an ideal space for her salon business. Having struggled with the heat and lack of space when working from her conservatory previously, it was time for a relocation.…
Read MoreCoachella 2025: the celebrity festival nail looks you need to see
Known for its star-studded guest list, Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held over two weekends in the Colorado Desert, California. Celebrity festival-goers sport stunning, on-trend fashion pieces, accessorised with eye-catching nail styles. We’ve rounded up nail looks to note from the 2025 event… Celebrity & session nail stylist, Juan Alvear, was on…
Read MoreWhy it’s important to take care of feet & advice for pedicurists
The importance of footcare can be overlooked, particularly during colder weather when feet and toenails tend to be tucked into thick socks and closed-toe footwear. But footcare services are not just beneficial for pedicure season. Foot and toenail issues can arise at any time, and treating them early can prevent further problems and medical attention…
Read MoreRevealed: Katy Perry’s solar system nails for the Blue Origin space flight
Celebrity nail artist, Kim Truong, has revealed the space-inspired design she created for pop singer, Katy Perry’s Blue Origin space trip. The American music artist and five other women were part of a space flight on 14 April, aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. On Instagram, Truong wrote: “This manicure went to space. I love…
Read MoreFamily affair: Meet 3 sets of siblings finding success in the nail industry
Scratch puts the spotlight on brothers and sisters working together in the nail industry… Glitterbels While Annabel Maginnis will likely come to mind when you hear the word ‘Glitterbels’, there is a trio of siblings involved in the brand: Annabel’s husband, Elliott, and his brothers, Mac and Alex. It was unexpected for the brothers that…
Read MoreLondon College of Beauty Therapy announces relocation of campus
Having outgrown its campus in Ramillies House, Soho, the London College of Beauty Therapy (LCBT) is moving to another premises. Its new home in Fashion Street, in the heart of Shoreditch, will allow the college to expand its provision and train more students via a newly-refurbished building. Plans include to add a range of advanced…
Read MoreBritish Beauty Council invites students to shape future of industry via mentorship & grant opportunity
The British Beauty Council has launched The Student Shadow Board, alongside UNiDAYS and Sephora UK. Via the initiative, young people across the UK can apply to receive mentorship and grant support, by pitching their future-facing beauty solutions across topics like innovation and technology, sustainability, creativity, marketing and science. They can either submit an entry video…
Read MoreScratch Snap winner announced: pedicure nail art contest
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art contest for March has been announced as Amy Lambourne of @amylambournenaturalnailtech. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Fancy Feet, in the bid to win a prize from Footlogix. Entries were judged by Samantha Sweet, co-founder & chief commercial officer at Sweet Squared: UK&I trainer & distributor…
Read MoreHow to tailor nail treatments to mums-to-be, new & mature mums
Mother’s Day offers a chance to boost your treatment offerings to satisfy a range of clients. Let us show you how… Mums-to-be The aches and strains of a pregnancy warrant some well-deserved TLC, so turn your focus to expectant mothers. “Mothers-to-be have a lot to prepare for and depending on the stage of their pregnancy,…
Read MoreHome nail & beauty salons: how to maintain positive neighbour relations & resolve conflict
Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year finalists for 2024 offer advice for how home business owners can keep the peace with neighbours and resolve potential conflicts… Kirsty Brown, owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling – Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 “When opening a home salon, it’s good practice to inform…
Read MoreBeauty brands encouraged to switch from plastic bottles in eco-friendly initiative
Molded fibre packaging manufacturer, NBCo, has launched Fast Forward 50, to help beauty and personal care brands transition away from single-use plastic bottles. The first 50 brands that sign up to the initiative will each be offered a free 200ml (122mm x 60mm) NBCo fibre bottle, allowing them to test the environmentally conscious packaging with…
Read MoreThe GelBottle Inc launches affiliate & reward programme to empower nail pros
The GelBottle Inc (TGB) has unveiled TGB Insiders: a platform to ‘celebrate, engage and empower its most passionate partners’. It replaces the Brighton nail brand’s former affiliate scheme and has considered user feedback to build an improved programme. TGB Insiders is available to UK techs, and will be open to US pros in the coming…
Read MoreBristol nail tech: how I navigate functional neurological disorder (FND)
To mark FND Awareness Day (25 March), Shara Taylor, owner of Bare Beauty Aesthetics, Bristol, opens up about her experiences with the condition… Charity, FND Action, details: “Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a brain network disorder that can encompass a diverse range of neurological symptoms, including limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, twitching and…
Read MoreGreater Manchester nail tech: Why I closed a bustling salon to open a home-based business
Nina of Wigan home salon, Nina Nicholson Beauty & Lecenté lead educator, shares why a huge career switch was the best decision she ever made… Nina Nicholson opened her first salon at the age of 18, and went on to acquire a larger premises a few years later. After building and running the bustling business…
Read More