insta

Instagram analytics: what you need to know

By Scratch Staff | 30 December 2021

You’ve got your posting strategy down, your content is getting hits and your following is gaining momentum. But, how do you keep it up and stay on top of the interests of those following and engaging with your account? The next step in any social media marketing strategy is to…

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Salon retail

9 tips for successful salon retailing

By Kat Hill | 26 December 2021

Esteemed salon & spa business consultant, Susan Routledge, serves up advice on how & why you should make the most of retail opportunities… 1 Why is it so important for a nail business to offer retail products? Retailing is such an integral and important part of any nail business. It is…

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Katie barnes nail art

What to charge for your nail art services

By Katie Barnes | 7 December 2021

As well as experimenting with your creative skills, adding nail art to your services is an opportunity to increase your revenue – so make sure you are charging correctly for it. A question I come across at least once a day, is how much should I be charging for my…

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nail tech ppe

Nail & beauty pros: Should you still wear full PPE?

By Katie Barnes | 18 November 2021

Some nail techs have always worn it, with others only introducing it since the Covid-19 outbreak. But should you always wear PPE? The short answer is yes. PPE has always been a requirement of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) for nail techs. PPE can include items such as…

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My experience of Transgender & Inclusivity Awareness training & why it’s important for beauty pros

By Emma Hobday | 13 November 2021

It was an ordinary Monday morning when I logged on to Sam Marshall and Keri Blue’s Transgender and Inclusivity Awareness Training via Zoom. But little did I know that this ordinary morning was going to be turned upside down, with my eyes and mind about to opened in the most…

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beauty consultation form

When is a contraindication preventative or restrictive to a nail treatment?

By Katie Barnes | 2 November 2021

A contraindication is a pre-existing medical condition that could either put you or your client at risk if the treatment was carried out. There are four types of contraindications which are illnesses you will come across. These are viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Another contraindication would be certain medications…

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Here’s how to create a rapport with non-English speaking clients

By Emma Hobday | 1 November 2021

Scratch chats to Magda Gniewek, educator of Magnetic Nails UK, about how to create a connection with your clients who don’t use English as their first language… What is the best way to build a working relationship with a client whose mother tongue is not the English language? “When working…

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Weak, brittle or ridged nails? Here’s how you can benefit from a manicure

By Emma Hobday | 31 October 2021

Think that having painted nails only provides aesthetic benefits? Think again – just a few of the benefits of a manicure and pedicure include stress relief, improved nail health and a boost in confidence. But even if your nails aren’t in the best condition, Marian Newman BEM, nail industry veteran…

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alex silver beauty pr

Lessons from a beauty PR pro: How to get your business noticed

By Guest Writer | 20 October 2021

Alex Silver, founder of beauty PR agency, Alex Silver PR, has been working in public relations for 25 years. She has helped brands including Beauty Blender, Caudalie, KISS Nails & Lashes and Fake Bake make their mark and is renowned for high-profile campaigns, charity events, celebrity ambassadorships and red-carpet parties.…

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nail form stock canva

How to fit nail forms like a boss

By Katie Barnes | 6 October 2021

Form fitting is one of the biggest nail tech troubles that causes concerns in the industry. There are so many different components and elements that all have to be correct for success when using nail forms. Perfecting your form fitting technique will mean the difference between a structurally strong nail…

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How to nail the perfect engagement ‘ringfie’

By Guest Writer | 23 September 2021

Taking a ‘ringfie’, or ring selfie, is the perfect way to remember the moment you got engaged. But how can you take the perfect ‘ringfie’? Jack Jahan, from Ramsdens Jewellery, explains how to take the best shot of your new bling… If you’ve just become engaged, congratulations! This is one…

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katie barnes gel viscosity nails

Gel nails: Why you need to know about viscosity

By Katie Barnes | 22 September 2021

Many nails techs feel that gel can be impossible to control. The viscosity of gel plays a big part in its success. Viscosity is defined as a measurement of a fluid’s resistance to flow, and when we refer to the viscosity of a gel product, we are referring to how…

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Nail techs, here’s how you can prevent hand & wrist pain

By Scratch Staff | 21 September 2021

Scratch sources advice for those that suffer with hand and wrist pain, so you can stop feeling the strain… Samantha Sweet, co-founder of Sweet Squared, shares that repetitive strain injury and carpal tunnel syndrome will always be a likelihood for pros, due to the nature of the job. “Filing is the…

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Here’s how to make manis last if your client has excessively sweaty hands

By Emma Hobday | 13 September 2021

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis being the technical term) is surprisingly common and can affect the whole body or just certain areas, like the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis). It’s normal to sweat if you get hot or do exercise, but you may be sweating excessively if you’re sweating when your body does not…

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4 ways to empower your nail business’ employees

By Guest Writer | 7 September 2021

Lucy Pastorelli, founder of Lucy Pastorelli Tools, shares how she empowers her team… 1. Create inclusion. Everyone has an opinion, and we always make sure that we listen to each member of staff – whether they’ve been employed at LP for five weeks or five years. Each point of view…

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