99 fruit nail designs: nail art contest entries & winner reveal

Scratch snap contest aug 2025 fruity nails

The winner of Scratch’s monthly salon-style nail art contest for August has been announced as Emma Laverton of @failtefae. In a showcase of talent, UK&I techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Fruity Fingertips, in the bid to win a HD Professional Nail Systems prize. Entries were judged by Hazel Dixon, award-winning nail stylist & founder of HD…

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UK Government announces plans to crack down on unsafe aesthetic procedures

Aesthetics regulation

The UK Government’s Department for Health and Social Care has revealed plans to regulate the aesthetic and non-invasive procedures sector. It follows a consultation, which industry bodies including the British Beauty Council, NHBF and BABTAC contributed to, and its findings have helped shape the approach to addressing safety concerns in the aesthetics industry. The government…

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Do AI chatbots like ChatGPT have a place in the nail industry?

Robot laptop

Disclaimer: this article is not written by a robot. But it does explore how language processing tools driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, or ‘chatbots’, are influencing the nail and beauty sector. As this technology integrates into our lives, many are wary of its place in society – and its potential. ‘Will robots take over?’…

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Seaside styles stun in nail art contest: check out 55 entries & winner

Scratch snap july 2025

The winner of Scratch’s monthly salon-style nail art contest for July has been announced as Bethany Allen of @goodwithabrush. In a showcase of talent, UK&I techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Seaside Styling, in the bid to win a Halo prize courtesy of Pure Nails. Entries were judged by Tina Bell, head of education at Pure Nails, and Scratch deputy…

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BABTAC expands Beauty Collective of experts in mission to improve industry standards

Babtac beauty collective growth

The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC) has announced 12 new members to its Beauty Collective. The group of over 30 experts across the beauty, business and education sectors is focused on championing professionalism, supporting new and established pros, improving consumer care, plus enhancing the beauty industry’s reputation and trust among consumers. It…

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

Nail Biting Picking

Natural nail specialists 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, anxiety and compulsive disorders,” explains Lucy Price-Marshall, Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year…

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UK beauty industry grew four times faster than overall economy in 2024

Bbco vob nail salon

The British Beauty Council has published its Value of Beauty report 2025, revealing a significant increase in the personal care sector’s GDP contribution and workforce. The annual report, compiled by Oxford Economics and commissioned by the British Beauty Council, is designed to highlight the economic impact of the UK personal care industry, and found that…

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