Health & wellbeing
I’ve been a beauty pro for 30+ years: here’s how I set boundaries with clients
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares her experiences with boundary-pushing clients… I imagine most of you went into the nail/beauty industry to make people happy. I also imagine that you expected clients to be grateful and courteous at all times. I don’t suppose you imagined that sometimes clients can push boundaries, expect…
Read MoreInsights from a trans nail tech: what I want you to know
Drew Sallows of @t4tnails feels fortunate to have been surrounded by love throughout their nail career: working in accepting salon spaces, while being able to do the job that they adore. “I always knew I wanted an artistic career, and spent a lot of time watching content by Cristine of Simply Nailogical, practising techniques from her…
Read MoreTexas nail tech: Clients have walked away from my services because I’m transgender
Texas-based nail technician, Dylan Michaud, shares how she refuses to let gender discrimination stand in the way of her career success… Having faced multiple clients refusing her services due to her gender, Dylan reveals her outlook on those experiences. She says: “Fortunately, I am very understanding that not everyone agrees with my lifestyle. That does…
Read MoreTrans nail tech: A client prepaid for appointments to help fund my top surgery
“Not only have I received allyship from other nail techs and my clients, but I’ve been given tangible support through my transition,” says Asher Maynard, a transmasculine and non-binary nail tech based in Seattle, USA. The pro has received so much support, that one client prepaid for her appointments to allow Asher to afford top…
Read MoreHow a transgender nail tech changed his narrative by going self-employed
Utah-based tech, Finn Reilly, shares his experience changing his narrative as a trans nail pro by fostering a supportive network that allows his business to thrive. Alike many other transgender nail techs, Finn has experienced first-hand the discrimination within the industry. He shares: “I worked at a salon for a while, but my employer made…
Read MoreHow I’ve dealt with trolls & found community as a transgender nail tech
From a young age, Logan Cullen found joy in creating nail looks. But joining the nail industry professionally has seen the transgender tech have to navigate challenges… “When I was younger, I saw the first Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movie and wanted to be Peter Parker – I couldn’t understand why no one saw me in that…
Read MoreSeattle nail tech: ‘I came out as transgender to a colleague – I was fired the next day’
At his first salon job, Seattle-based tech, Sidney Simpson, came out as transgender and was fired the following day. Having worked just a week at his first salon job, the nail tech shared that he was transgender with a colleague – and just one day later, was fired. He says: “The salon claimed it was…
Read MoreHow & why nail techs should practice self-care this festive season
Fiona Fox, owner of Dorset salon, Ulu Beauty, provides training to beauty pros on areas including mental health awareness, safeguarding, equality and diversity. Here, she explores the importance of self-care for nail techs during the festive season and simple self-care fixes. For many, Christmas is a time to look and feel their best. Nail technicians…
Read MoreHow menopause affects nails & ways to manage symptoms
Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, and involves a decline in hormone levels – which affects various aspects of a woman’s health. But how does it affect natural nails? “Nail changes caused by the menopause are likely to be associated with low oestrogen levels and dry skin,” explains Dr Berrin Tezcan,…
Read MoreADHD: How to accommodate employees & clients in the nail space
According to the NHS, ADHD affects 3 to 4% of adults and is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the UK. There are multiple variants of the condition, so diagnosing ADHD is difficult and can take years of assessments. For people with ADHD, everyday tasks can often be challenging and overwhelming. Scratch talks…
Read MoreBest Practice Guide shared by BABTAC to help beauty therapists support menopausal clients
A whopping 95% of women believe education and awareness of menopause needs to be improved*. Subsequently, the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) has released MENOPAUSE: A BABTAC Best Practice Guide. The 12-page guide serves to advise beauty professionals on how to treat menopausal clients effectively and comfortably. It covers physical and emotional…
Read More10 ways to practice self-care as a nail tech
Scratch explores the importance of self-care and looks at 10 ways to ensure you prioritise your wellbeing as a nail pro… 1. Take regular breaks Schedule breaks during your working day to recharge; whether five minutes between clients or a full lunch break to refuel and take a walk, to relax mentally and physically. “We…
Read MoreHow a husband & wife joined forces to tackle fumes & dust in the nail & beauty industry
For Poala Taylor-Riddick, building her own brand had always been a pipe dream – but little did she know that a trip to a beauty salon would spark the idea for business success. While getting her nails done at the salon, Poala noticed its lack of ventilation and poor air quality and due to this,…
Read MoreHow to find a better work-life balance as a nail pro
Hair & beauty business coach, Maddi Cook of Boss Your Salon, shares top tips for nail pros to achieve a better work-life balance… Howdy nail bosses! Work-life balance is like a unicorn in this industry – often talked about, yet never seen. In fact, it’s one of the most common challenges nail bosses face, and I’m…
Read More5 ways nail techs can prioritise their mental health when clients offload
Health psychologist, Dr Ravi Gill, explores how nail technicians can create a safe space for clients to offload while prioritising their own mental health. Nail appointments offer an opportunity for a person to sit still for an hour without the distraction of their phones: an act of self-care and perhaps a therapy session. Nail technicians…
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