Artificial nails: 7 steps to reduce the risk of allergy
Caroline Rainsford, director of science at the Cosmetics, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), shares practical ways to reduce allergy in the nail space… Acrylate monomers, which are the starting materials in liquid & powder (L&P) and UV/LED gel nail systems, can sometimes cause allergic reactions if they touch the skin.…
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6 essential tips for nail techs to protect their physical health
Swiss beauty brand, Mavala, offers its top tips for beauty professionals to protect their physical health and wellbeing whilst working demanding roles… In the beauty industry, technicians play a crucial role in boosting the wellbeing of clients. However, Mavala has noticed the little focus shed on the wellness and self-care…
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How to build your social media: 5 simple steps from a beauty business expert
Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist for 2024 and 2025 & online columnist, Hannah Beth Clayton, shares her social media tips… Growing your social media doesn’t need to be hard, confusing or a full-time job. I talk to so many beauty pros who feel overwhelmed by the…
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9 common nail & skin problems for runners & how to treat
Discover the common nail and skin woes of runners and how to tackle them… “Runners can be prone to a lot of foot problems,” explains nail educator & brand adviser, Rachel Gribble. “A build-up of hard skin, ingrown and bruised toenails are some of the most prevalent. A regular pedicure…
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Inside 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…
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Nail techs, here’s the difference between irritant & allergic contact dermatitis
Award-winning salon owner, educator & industry consultant, Theresa Foddering, aka The Naildresser, explains the difference between irritations and allergies… In the nail world, we see a lot of terms to describe skin reactions: itching, redness, swelling, irritation, but the real question is: do we fully understand what’s causing these issues?…
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Inside look: Nail Beauty Congress & Championship 2025, Belgrade, Serbia
The landmark event highlighted industry advancements, expertise and hosted the first Serbian nail competition in nine years, while raising the region’s industry profile and standards, writes Alex Fox… The Nail Beauty Congress & Championship, held in Belgrade, Serbia, in April, was a historic event that brought together nail professionals and…
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I’m a nail tech that developed a gel allergy: here’s my advice
Sophie Pritchard, founder of Creative Claws salon and academy in Anglesey, Wales, shares about her allergy experiences and lessons learned… I’ve been part of the nail industry for about 13 years and things have changed a lot since I joined. PPE wasn’t really a thing when I started out. Gloves? Dust extractors?…
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How to nail the French tip pedicure
Katie Clark, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, answers questions about perfecting the French pedi… How big should the French tips be? A French tip should mimic the natural free edge of the nail. Estimate how long the client will wait between appointments, plus…
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Hull home nail salon owner: How I prioritise the mental health of clients
Lucy Allman, owner of The Nail Shed, shares about the supportive ethos of her East Yorkshire garden salon… In 2021, Lucy Allman was made redundant and welcomed a second child. It was this change in lifestyle and need for flexibility that inspired her to carve a career in the nail…
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Why 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…
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3 steps to increase your beauty treatment prices without guilt
Beauty business mentor, Stevey Powell, shares how she teaches pros to confidently increase their service prices in three steps… The thought of raising your prices can feel overwhelming and downright scary. You can feel guilty and worried about losing clients. But here’s the secret: it’s all about how you frame…
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Pet-friendly salons: key benefits & important considerations
Have you ever considered making your salon pet-friendly? A spokesperson for luxury nail salon, Paint Nails London, shares the advantages and what you need to consider. Why did you decide to become a pet-friendly salon? We decided to become a pet-friendly salon because so many of our clients are animal…
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Family 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…
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Coffin nails: 5 on-trend nail art designs to inspire your spring look
Coffin, or ballerina, nails are long, tapered and filed flat at the tip. The shape resembles both a coffin and a ballerina’s slipper, which inspired the interchangeable names. A popular shape choice, the coffin nail offers an optimal canvas for experimenting with nail art, seasonal colours and 3D designs. Here…
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