Nail expert: the importance of parallel sidewalls for a beautiful nail finish
Award-winning nail technician & Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education founder, Katie Clark, offers insight… Parallel sidewalls start at the cuticle zone and end at the free edge. They mirror each other and help to give a nail enhancement a slim and slender appearance. The term, ‘parallel sidewalls’, is frequently…
SPF: what is it & how does it protect the skin?
‘Remember to use SPF!‘ – it’s a commonly used phrase, but what does SPF mean? Here’s everything you need to know… What is SPF? SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and the number that follows suggests how long a suncream or product is likely to protect the skin from the…
6 feet poses to nail pedi photos
Footlogix & Artistic Nail Design brand ambassador for Sweet Squared, Lily Lou Moore, explains how to master her six go-to feet poses for pedi photos… 1. One foot in front of the other With the client stood, ask them to put one foot in front of the other. I try…
Nail science: how they grow & what makes them grow faster
Although it may sound like there’s no rhyme or reason to how nails grow, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, Katie Clark, shares the basic factors that affect the speed of growth. The standard rate of growth of a normal fingernail is between 0.5…
What are brush-on builder gel & BIAB™ nails?
Brush-on builder gel is an ever-popular request at the nail desk – but what is it, and when should it be used? Brush-on builder gel is a more convenient variation of traditional builder gels, which are housed in pots. Packaged in a bottle with an integrated brush, the product allows…
How to nail your social media game: 10+ tips from internet nail stars
Want to boost your engagement and connect with more people on social media? Check out expert tips from online nail stars… “We all have unique life experiences, tastes and aesthetics, and we process beauty differently, so it’s important to post content that is unique and shows your style.” – San…
How to grow clients’ average spend & boost your beauty business
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, offers tips for encouraging clients to spend more money… I am at a time in my life where I simply don’t want to work myself into the ground. My years of being everything, for everyone, are long gone. It is costing more…
7 tips to enhance wellbeing in the nail space
Your role involves supporting the self-care needs of others, but how often do you consider your own wellbeing? While it may be the last thing on your mind during a busy day at the nail desk, it’s crucial – as Elissa Newton, Lecenté educator for Northern Ireland, notes: “If even…
A guide to the gel system: when & how to use & troubleshooting tips
Nail pros share insight on the gel system… When to use the gel system Theresa Foddering, Lecenté business development manager & Scratch Stars Shooting Star Award finalist 2025, adds: “If a client has weak or brittle nails that require extra support and strength, hard gel is a great option for enhancements.…
Nail industry expert: here’s the problem with AI-generated nail designs
Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist 2024 & 2025, Hannah Clayton, shares her thoughts on artificial intelligence nail imagery…. We’ve all seen them: every nail shaped like it was designed in a factory with no cuts, dry skin or missing bits of sidewalls. We’re seeing a wave of…
How to achieve a work-life balance as a beauty professional in summer
Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares advice for achieving a work-life balance this summer… Summer is upon us and I am so excited for the coming months. Seeing seasonal nail designs puts me in the best mood and makes me want to have fun in…
Beau’s lines on nails: what they are & how to treat them
Have you heard of Beau’s lines on nails – but aren’t quite sure what they are? Here’s everything you need to know about the natural nail condition. What are they? Beau’s lines are horizontal ridges or dents on the nail plate, caused by a slowdown in the production of new…
How to elevate & promote pedicure services
Enhance your pedicure confidence and elevate your promotion of the service with top tips from footcare specialist, Denise Spragg, owner of The Sangha House. Feet, right? ‘Ugh, I hate my feet, and I couldn’t bear anyone touching them’ is something I hear so often as a pedicurist. In this article, I…
Doncaster nail & beauty salon owner: Offering waxing has elevated my business & filled my diary
Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2022 & 2025 finalist, Michelle Brookes, shares how introducing waxing services has benefitted her salon… What do waxing treatments bring to a beauty business, and how do they complement nail offerings? Adding waxing treatments to a beauty business helps fill diary gaps. Most waxing…
Award-winning nail tech: How I’ve found success despite suffering with fibromyalgia
Kirsty Brown is the owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling, Scotland, which is the Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 & a finalist for 2025. Here, she shares about her experiences with fibromyalgia… Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive difficulties. It can be…
Read the latest issue
