Cnd nudes

How to select the perfect nude nail colour for your client

By Sophie Nutt | 26 July 2018

Barely-there hues are always in style and the sophisticated nude nail look continues to flourish across the runways, on celebrity fingertips and in the salon. Favoured by many for its ‘clean’ look and ability to complement any ensemble – without overpowering, nude nails will never go out of style –…

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How to make the most of your beauty qualifications

By Scratch Staff | 25 July 2018

Anna-Cari Gund, president of CIDESCO, shares her top tips for making the most of your beauty achievements… Achieving a globally renowned beauty qualification can be an amazing feeling. Our CIDESCO graduates know that obtaining a CIDESCO diploma places the world at their fingertips. If you have a qualification you want…

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Gabriella kovács

Top 5 tips for nail competitions by Gabriella Kovács

By Helena Biggs | 21 July 2018

Nailympia judge and nail expert, Gabriella Kovács, of Hungary, reveals her 5 top tips for techs looking to compete on a national or international level. All your tools and products should be placed in the same position on your table when you practice and during the actual competition. You will be…

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Joanna MacDonald & Jennifer Linton

How to juggle social media, clients and your personal life

By Kat Hill | 21 July 2018

Are your struggling to strike a balance between juggling social media, clients and your own personal life? Jennifer Linton and J Macdonald, co-directors of Linton & Mac, Aberdeen, share their thoughts… “We opened our salon in September 2015, and since then have made a conscious effort to ensure our social…

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Andy rouillard

Male waxing: Andy Rouillard shares six tricks for furless fingers

By Sophie Nutt | 19 July 2018

Whether you’re considering branching into male waxing or are a mobile tech with limited space varying from appointment to appointment, smaller services such as ear and nose waxing can be a good place to start. Waxing expert and owner of Axiom Bodyworks, Andy Rouillard, explains, “For nail techs interested in…

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Artistic led pro 36 light

How to look after your UV/LED lamp

By Kat Hill | 17 July 2018

Louella Belle educator and Scratch Stars winner, Carrie Leigh-Allen, reveals how you should be looking after your lamp to ensure a oh-so professional service… “UV or LED lamps are expensive but an important part of our kit,” explains Carrie-Leigh Allen. “It is advisable to use the same brand as the product you…

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Shoot for photographic competition success with tips from Karina Perematko

By Kat Hill | 13 July 2018

Scratch chats to Karina Perematko, master nail technician and absolute master international educator with Crystal Nails London Studio Academy and owner of KP Vintage Studio, about entering The Great Scratch Shoot Out – and discover the story behind the shoot that scooped a close second place… “I was so happy…

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Nail files that need replacing

How to tell when nail files need replacing

By Katie Barnes | 11 July 2018

Educator and award-winning nail technician, Katie Barnes, reveals why its important to know when your nail files need replacing… Something that is often overlooked (but is one of the most important tools in a tech’s kit), is the nail file. Without files, we cannot prep the natural nail or get…

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Tax and Tips: The Lowdown

By Kat Hill | 4 July 2018

Top tip or not to tip? Your clients may be asking that question, but do you know the HM Revenue and Customs’ stance on that little something extra?  A recent survey from www.onbuy.com revealed Britian’s most tipped profession, as well as consumer’s tipping habits. After asking over 2,000 participants, it…

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Relocating your salon? Here’s how to choose a new location…

By Kat Hill | 29 June 2018

Thinking of making the big move to a new salon location? Consider these pointers when selecting a new location… When choosing a location, consider at the level of passing trade; will you be able to entice this footfall through the salon door? Is this going to affect the success of…

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Metta mobile manicure

Considerations & advice for nail techs thinking of ‘going mobile’

By Metta Francis | 29 June 2018

Multi-award winner and Scratch Stars finalist, Metta Francis of Nails by Mets, shares her top for techs consider the mobile manicuring route. Pick a business name You can choose to trade under a business name e.g. Nails by Mets or your own name e.g. Metta Francis Nails. Before deciding on…

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Carrie leigh allen nail design

How to perfect the application technique for Artistic Colour Gloss

By Sophie Nutt | 28 June 2018

Hone your Artistic Colour Gloss technique as Scratch probes Carrie-Leigh Allen, educator for Louella Belle, about the ideal application technique for Artistic Colour Gloss… “For the perfect application of Artistic Colour Gloss, ensure cuticle work is performed thoroughly, leaving no non-living tissue on the nail plate. Remove surface shine and file the…

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Girl with money

How to approach the upsell process & boost beauty profits

By Scratch Staff | 27 June 2018

Naomi Mogg, educator for ASP, reveals why upselling treatments is one of the easiest ways to increase revenue and grow retail sales… Many therapists miss valuable opportunities to upsell because they feel that they are not ‘a salesperson’. However, you don’t need to be a salesperson to upsell – you just…

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Bride

Boost your bridal client care with these top tips

By Kat Hill | 27 June 2018

Is your appointment diary starting to fill up with bridal clients? Mandy Cook, sales director at Gerrard International, offers some advice for a smooth service and top-notch client care for the big day… “A bridal client is lucrative business for the nail tech as she will need a course of treatments leading up to…

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How to market microblading to clients

By Kat Hill | 26 June 2018

Thinking of training in microblading, but worried your clients won’t take up the treatment? Emma Apps, brow expert at The Eyelash Design Company, advises you to reassure them. “Brow services are extremely profitable, especially nowadays as they have become so popular,” explains Emma. “Brow Perfect Microblading especially offers excellent profits;…

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