How to manage maternity leave as a self-employed nail tech
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares how she juggled her business and becoming a mum… A question I get asked a lot, as a working mum, is how I managed my maternity leave and return to work once my daughter arrived. Being self-employed has many benefits, but…
Onycholysis: what is it & how can it be treated?
Let’s talk the causes of onycholysis, aka nail separation, how to prevent and what to do when it’s presented at the nail desk… Picture this: you scrape your knee and pop a plaster over the top to help it heal. Three days later, that plaster has started to lift. At…
3 tips to avoid non-paying nail clients
Nail mentor, Hannah Clayton, offers up advice for business owners dealing with clients not paying for treatments. It happens more than nail techs like to admit: the famous words, ‘I’ll transfer it later‘, or a client standing up, grabbing their coat and walking out while you’re still tidying your nail desk.…
How to become a great nail brand ambassador
North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA) Season 1 champion & LECHAT ambassador, Anastasia Totty, shares her tips and tricks for becoming a top brand ambassador… I’m often asked how to become a successful brand ambassador, and the first step is to attend trade shows and industry events. These offer opportunities…
What it means to have half moons on your nails
Fingernail half moons are the rounded, white shadows at the base of the nails. The industry term for this is lunula, which is Latin for ‘little moon’. The place where each nail begins growing is known as the matrix. This is where new cells are made that will make up…
How to capitalise on Valentine’s & Galentine’s Day in the nail salon
Experts shares tips for effectively promoting your nail offerings this Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day… Sara Pinto, Andreia Professional nail product director, says… “The lead-up to 14 February presents an opportunity for nail techs to boost business, by encouraging clients to treat themselves or loved ones to pampering experiences and retail…
Self Assessment guide: HMRC advice for self-employed & sole traders
Ahead of the Self Assessment deadline of 31 January, HMRC deputy director for Self Assessment, Jashoda Pindoria MBE, answers frequently asked questions… Whether you’re a new business owner, have invested in a rental property, started a side hustle or sold assets between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025, chances…
Experts share how nail techs can prioritise mental & emotional wellbeing
Scratch turned to industry experts to curate a selection of practical tips and products to promote mental and emotional workplace wellbeing. Mental and emotional wellbeing are imperative for long-term career viability and satisfaction, yet many beauty professionals are so busy juggling client requests, social media and business admin that they…
How to stop nail biting & picking: experts share treatment plans
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, Scratch Stars Natural…
How can nail techs prioritise physical wellbeing in the salon?
Scratch turned to industry experts to curate a selection of products and practical tips to promote physical workplace wellbeing. “Beauty professionals invest immense emotional and physical energy into their craft. “Long hours, repetitive movements and the constant pressure to show up for others can lead to emotional and physical depletion,”…
Avoid burnout as a nail tech in 2026: a mindset shift guide
Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares why a shift in mindset is needed by the beauty community in 2026… For years, the beauty industry has pushed the same message, and it really grinds my gears! That message is that if you’re rushed off your feet, you’re doing well. Apparently, a diary…
Nail content creation: do you need the latest phone to succeed?
Sussex-based nail content creator & Scratch columnist, Zoya Mac, reveals why you don’t need the newest phone to create great content… When the iPhone 17 launched, I did what many people do: I scrolled through the specifications and became tempted to purchase. But if you’re trying to improve your content…
Career tips for nail techs from a session nail stylist & salon owner
Marie-Louise Coster shares lessons learned from her nail career… It is the end of another year: a strange year in many ways, perhaps even more of a rollercoaster than usual? And while I sit here to write this, I am compelled not to write about your business, but instead about…
Spread Christmas cheer sustainably: 3 ways to recycle festive items
Decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts and sending out greeting cards are some of the most cherished Christmas traditions, but after the festivities, how do you dispose of the excess? Research from waste management company, Sortera UK, shows that more than half of people recycle less at Christmas. This is…
What are rings of fire on nails & how can they be avoided?
Red rings or semicircles that appear on the nail – often referred to as ‘rings of fire’ – can strike fear into the hearts of nail techs and clients alike, but what causes them and how can they be avoided? “Rings of fire appear as red rings on the nail…
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