Business & Education
A guide to starting a mobile nail business
To go mobile or not to go mobile? That is the question – and for a growing number of nail technicians, the answer is a resounding yes. Trading the expenses of a traditional salon for the open road is an attractive proposition for many. Whether you’re a newly qualified nail tech weighing up your options,…
Read MoreHow beauty apprenticeships help nail techs find their place in the industry
For Rose Morris, beauty therapy was always more than just a career choice – it was a passion waiting to be discovered. Here’s how her apprenticeship helped her find her dream role in the beauty sector… Lancashire-based Rose was fascinated by the beauty industry from a young age, inspired by the way it helps people…
Read MoreA guide to starting a home-based nail business
Are you thinking of moving your nail business into your home or garden? Scratch explores points to note: from legal essentials to interior styling… Opening a home nail salon is a lot like the perfect nail appointment: every stage matters, with each one contributing to a finish that lasts. Just as a great nail technician…
Read MoreHow heatwaves impact nail techs & tips to adapt services
As global temperatures rise, we’re not just feeling the heat at home – it’s making a serious impact in the nail space. From runny products to skin reactions, heatwaves put nail techs under pressure to rethink how they work, the products they use and how to manage salon environments. This isn’t just a seasonal issue;…
Read MoreHow a nail tech’s dream led to the creation of a nailcare brand
Kaitlin Collinson began her nail career at just 16. Ten years and one vivid idea later, she is the founder & CEO of a growing nail brand. She shares the story behind the company with Scratch… “I have over 10 years’ experience in the nail industry,” says Kaitlin, owner of Durham-based salon, Muse Beauty &…
Read MoreThe UK nail brand built by a nail tech to support nail techs
From mixing her own glitter acrylic in 2003 to founding EL Nail Systems, Emma Sarda’s journey is one of grit, passion and an unshakeable belief that nail technicians deserve better products. Lead image courtesy of EL Nail Systems brand ambassador, Ashley McCann (Instagram.com/the_exquisite_nail_fairy). Emma Sarda qualified as a nail technician in 2003. “The nail industry…
Read MorePedicure tips: how nail techs can safely support clients with diabetes
According to charity, Diabetes UK, approximately 6% of the UK population suffers from diabetes. Learning about the condition and how to accommodate it is key to making diabetic clients feel safe and able to enjoy their nail appointments. Here, we explore how the condition can affect clients and what you need to consider as a nail…
Read MoreHow to stand out on social media as a beauty professional
Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares tips and tricks to help you amplify your social media presence… One thing I think the beauty industry struggles with is relying entirely on clients for marketing. When you first start out, your clients are your content: photos of fresh nails, lash transformations, before and afters, appointment selfies, reposts and reviews. This…
Read MoreWhat Harry Styles tickets can teach nail techs about charging their worth
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, explores the difference between cost and value for nail and beauty professionals… Earlier this year, I, along with half of the world (or at least that is how it seemed), spent hours trying to secure Harry Styles tickets. I reminisced of days gone by, before the internet,…
Read MoreThe US nail brand that caught the attention of Kim Kardashian
US-based nail brand & salon, LA PAR, was created with one core mission: to prove that beautiful nails should never come at the expense of nail health. Scratch spoke to the brand’s founder to find out what makes LA PAR stand out… Lisa Tran grew up in a salon environment before working professionally as a…
Read MoreCTPA launches sustainability handbook for UK cosmetics industry
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) has long been committed to raising standards across the beauty industry – and its latest initiative applies that same dedication to sustainability. The CTPA has launched Navigating a Volatile World – A Handbook for the UK Cosmetics Industry, designed ‘to help cosmetics and personal care companies better understand…
Read More5 tips to make your beauty business website more sustainable
When you consider the impact you make as a beauty business, what comes to mind? The waste you create and the way you produce energy may be at the forefront, but have you thought about the effect of your website? The impact of internet use on global greenhouse gas emissions is similar to that of…
Read MoreThe UK nail brand that aims to save nail techs time, stress & money
Nail technicians are busy people, and shouldn’t have to spend time worrying about the quality and reliability of their products. The founders of Precision Nail Technology have built their brand with this knowledge in mind. Building the brand The minds behind Precision Nail Technology (PNT) bring over 20 years of nail industry experience to the…
Read MoreHow to choose the best nail educator & course for you
Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2024 & Online Educator of the Year 2025, Melanie Lewendon, kicks off her online column with a guide to nail education. Choosing an educator and course is one of the most important decisions you will make, particularly when starting your career in the nail industry. It sets the foundation…
Read More18 pedicure products for fabulous feet
A great pedicure is about so much more than a fresh coat of polish. It’s a considered ritual – one that nurtures feet through every carefully executed step. And the right products make all the difference. Here are our top picks to help nail professionals deliver pedicure perfection… Lead image courtesy of Geanina Cazan. Prep…
Read More