Tech Talk: Eloise Oakes of Elle’s Gels & Beauty
Scratch chats to Eloise Oakes of Elle’s Gels & Beauty in Hertfordshire about her journey as a nail tech and the next steps in her career… “I found my love for nails as a child aged around seven or eight. I used to play around with my mum’s nail polishes…
Feeling stressed & anxious? Meet the mental health coach who’s familiar with the beauty sector
Mental health coach & speaker, Dave Heffernan, has created a Facebook group to support those in the beauty & wellness sectors who are feeling stressed and anxious in their professional or personal lives for just £9.99 a month. Here, he reveals more about his beauty industry affiliation and how he can…
Nail tech launches clothing & product line in lockdown
Jaki Logan, of Nova Nails, found inspiration within the weeks of lockdown in order to keep her business alive by launching Break Hearts, Not Nails – a clothing and product line for both professionals and consumers alike. “I started doing nails around three years ago,” explains Jaki. “I was approaching…
Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Alice White, Portsmouth, Hampshire
After becoming a new mother last year, Alice Whitehouse decided to pursue her dream of a career in nails. Working from a newly converted home studio, Alice opened in time for the 2019 Christmas rush and business has soared since. “We had a small lean-to room off the kitchen which…
[Updated] Face coverings: The rules for nail & beauty pros & clients
There has been confusion within the nail industry as to the face coverings beauty professionals are required to wear during a treatment, and what should be asked of the client. While the below are guidelines from government, we encourage you to make your own decisions on top of such guidelines,…
The differences between an allergy & irritation
Caroline Rainsford, head of scientific & environmental services at the CTPA, reveals the differences between allergies and irritation and how to spot them… People often describe any type of reaction as an ‘allergy’, especially when talking about reactions to cosmetics. In fact, the two main types of reactions to cosmetic…
Nouveau Lashes experts explain why D.I.Y lash lifts should never be done at home
As leading lash experts, we feel that it’s our duty to advise on the best possible way on how to look after lashes. In our opinion (as well as the views of experts in the fields of optometry and trichology), there are dangers to using D.I.Y lash lift kits at…
5 steps to a flawless wax service
Salon System educator & waxing expert, Lisa Stone, shares her waxing tips for summer… Even though we may not all be able to jet off to exotic beaches this year due to Covid-19, it doesn’t mean that clients will want to scrimp on their wax services. Warm weather and long…
Nail tech turns her hand to building NHS ventilators during pandemic
From crafting nail styles to building ventilators: Holly Sutherland put her time away from the nail desk to excellent use when she responded to an advert by Ford Cars. The founder of Nails by Holly in Thurrock, Essex, found herself out of work from mid-March to July when the coronavirus…
Behind The Brand: Get to know the names behind Dipt Nails
Dipt was born out of a desire to bring next generation nail technology using British chemistry to the market, while being mindful of developing a system that is kind to nails. Founded by Karisma Ahir, the idea for Dipt formed from a determination to meet her own nail needs as…
Salon in the Spotlight: Tranquility Beauty & Holistics, Oxfordshire
Having recently trained in holistic therapies, Natascha De-Bank needed more room for her additional services. Offering a combination of nail and beauty services alongside facials, aromatherapy and massages, a larger workspace was soon needed. “As a mum of four, I needed to be closer to home,” Natascha explains. “I decided to build…
Nail students showcase sustainability themed competition creations
Sarah Brenton-Sara, lecturer in Level 2 & 3 Nail Services & Beauty Therapy at Truro & Penwith College, reveals how her students have been learning & developing their skills during lockdown… It has been a turbulent year for the nail industry, however my part-time nail students have excellent throughout lockdown and created some…
5 ways to futureproof your nail & beauty business
Difficult economic times, unpredictable world events, illness and a fast-changing world can leave small businesses more vulnerable than ever. It’s much harder to predict where new risks will come from, so businesses need to be futureproofed to protect them in times where there is no regular income. What the Covid-19…
#NOWTRENDING Monochrome marble by Janine Hartley
Janine Hartley, of Nails & Diamonds By Janine, shares how she kept herself busy during lockdown, her favourite nail styles and how to create this monochrome marble design… “I have been working in the nail industry for around 17 years now. I started my career at college when I took…
Behind the Brand: Meet Oksana Boitmane, founder of Luxe Gel Professional
The Luxe Gel Professional brand was founded in Latvia in 2016 by creative personality, Oksana Boitmane. Her vision was to create a luxury, quality, reliable, innovative and trend-led nail care range at a fair price that met the needs of nail pros – and the vision has become a very…
