The big mistake nail students make on a training course
Are you about to take the leap into the nail industry, or are you signing up to learn a new service? Hannah Garbett, educator at Staffordshire Nail Academy and distributor of Astonishing Nails products, warns of the key mistake students make on their journey… Signing up for your first nail…
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Ensure optimum hygiene in the salon with these tips
Jenn Linton and Jaye Macdonald, co-directors of Aberdeen-based salon Linton & Mac, share their tips for ensuring a spick and span salon for clients and a safe place to work for you… “Maintaining a safe, secure and hygienic salon is super important, not only for your staff, but for any visitors or clients, too.…
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Face-to-face vs. online nail education
In the last decade, online learning in the nail industry has become increasingly popular. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of both learning methods. It doesn’t have to be online learning vs face to face learning; a case of one or the other. Instead, these can work hand in hand…
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How to develop your own creative ideas & make your business stand out
Kara Kotsonis, Squad Leader at NailSquad Nail Bar in Deal, Kent, shares her valuable business advice… It can’t possibly get any better than Scratch’s managing editor, Helena Biggs, saying she’d noticed our salon’s Instagram page and asking to pop down for a visit. OMG! It really was the stuff of…
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How to write a winning competition entry
With the Scratch Stars Awards 2020 open for entry from 1-28 February, multi-winner, Katie Barnes, reveals her tips for a winning entry… Preparation is one of the key elements to success. Are you looking at entering the Scratch Star Awards this year? In this blog, I share my top tips…
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How to correctly store gel nail products
To keep your kit working at an optimum level, it is vital your gel-based products are stored correctly. Read on to refresh your knowledge… “The manufacturer’s advice and guidance should be adhered to,” explains Tina Bell of Pure Nails. “Follow its advice looking after your products as this will ensure…
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How to choose the right beginner nail course for you
Navigating the first steps of your nail journey can be tricky due to the range of options presented to you. When researching training providers, there are a number of things to look out for: thorough teachings of nail anatomy, chemistry, hygiene and safety in the workplace, natural nail care and…
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Tina Bell on how to manage wellbeing in the workplace
During your career as a nail tech, you may be faced with some common health issues that are associated with the profession. Alongside the bad backs, shoulders, necks, sore fingers and muscle strains, the industry is also seeing a large increase in mental health issues. Right now, one in six…
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How to create a crisp smile line with the gel system
Smile lines can be a nail tech’s nemesis. With the introduction of gel paint and gel polish, the need for sculpted smile lines has faded. While I love the look of a crisp, sculpted smile line, time constraints and trends means that more and more clients are requesting varied finishes;…
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Expert advice: Nail salon risk assessments
Use the post-Christmas lull to ensure your business is up-to-date with health & safety practises and procedures. Here, Beverly Coleman, nail tech and NEBOSH qualified health & safety advisor, offers her tip for ensure your risk assessments are tip top… “Helping to preventing accidents and ill-health in the salon setting needn’t…
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3 things to consider if you want to ‘go mobile’
Sharon Sandhu, category manager for nails at Salon Services UK & Ireland, serves up some top tips if you’re considering making the move to a mobile way of working… Have you been pondering or planning your next career move? Some of you may be thinking of ‘going mobile’ – and…
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How to plan & execute your goals for the year ahead
I love the New Year as I find it the perfect time to reflect, reset and set intentions for the months ahead. If you’ve not yet had the time to do this, I highly recommend you block out your diary, treat yourself to some lovely new stationery, get comfy and…
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How to become a training provider
Do you want to pass on your knowledge, passion and experience to the next generation? If so, becoming a training provider could your next career move. However, it’s vital to do your research before deciding if this is really for you. Becoming a training provider requires dedication and commitment. It’s…
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How to manage your nail client’s expectations
Many clients bring pictures of nail designs that they have found on social media to the nail desk and want us to recreate the exact nails from the photograph. While to some techs, having an image to work from is a safety blanket, many dread being presented with this. Nail…
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Advice for working out your prices
Mobile techs – are you thinking of adjusting your prices in the New Year? Liz Richards, head of education of Cuccio Europe, shares her advice… “Charging can be so hard for techs to work out,” explains Liz. “One method I would recommend is to start by working out what your products…
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