How positive reviews can benefit your business coming out of lockdown

By Sophie Nutt | 19 July 2020

As UK businesses re-emerge from lockdown, customer service experts from Woven have revealed the significant impact that positive reviews could have in helping small businesses recover. Data suggests 72% of consumers will interact with a business as a result of reading positive reviews, with nearly a third (31%) spending more…

Salon in the Spotlight: GLOSS Studio, Sheffield

By Kat Hill | 15 July 2020

Located in Kelham Island, Sheffield, GLOSS Studio was created by Billie Deakin, who was seeking a creative career. “I worked for six years as a civil servant at the Home Office when I finished studying at university, but I was desperate to do something more creative,” explains owner, Billie Deakin. “I completed an evening…

#NOWTRENDING Pink ink & gold flecks by Charlotte Fletcher

By Sophie Nutt | 14 July 2020

Charlotte Fletcher, of Head 2 Toe Hair & Beauty, chats to Scratch about her journey into the nail industry as well as how to create this super chic pink ink & gold fleck nail look…  “I initially trained with Izabelle Hammon in 2017, however it wasn’t until 2019 that I really grew…

Julie-Anne Larivière notes 5 lessons learnt in lockdown

By Sophie Nutt | 13 July 2020

Julie-Anne Lariviére, Salon System nail expert and owner of Sketched by J-A Nails, reveals five lessons she has learnt in lockdown…  Support is everything Since all nail technicians were deeply affected by the crisis, we have started to form a support bubble and the vibes that have come out of this…

Back to Work: Nail & beauty business checklist

By Scratch Staff | 12 July 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… Consider ticking off these points well advanced to ensure a smoother opening process… Decide what treatments you will offer and how you will manage any risks…

Why collaboration is key in the nail industry

By Sophie Nutt | 12 July 2020

Tracey Lee, international nail artist & educator, reveals how Beauty2trs is celebrating it’s first birthday with a ‘birthday bash’ online class… How awesome it was to celebrate the first year of Beauty2trs with a class that epitomises the idea behind the platform – collaboration! When Beauty2trs started, the idea was to…

Coronavirus: Should you raise your treatment prices when you reopen?

By Guest Writer | 11 July 2020

Jenni Draper, session nailist & PR/creative manager at Louella Belle discusses whether nail and beauty businesses should consider raising their treatment prices after lockdown… As outlined by the UK government’s guidance on our roadmap out of lockdown, nail and beauty salons are provisionally set to reopen on 4 July. This…

How to ensure clients are prepared for your return to work

By Sophie Nutt | 9 July 2020

Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System nail expert and owner of Sketched by J-A Nails, explains how you can make sure that your clients are prepared for your return to work… It’s all good getting yourself prepared for the return to work when salons are allowed to re-open, but without your clients,…

Lauren McBride hailed Nail Tech of the Year 2020 at the British Hair & Beauty Awards

By Alex Fox | 8 July 2020

Bournemouth-based nail tech, Lauren McBride, has been crowned Nail Tech of the Year 2020 at the British Hair & Beauty Awards. Having trained 17 years ago under CND educator, Jacqui Jefford, Lauren’s salon journey truly began as a Saturday girl at the age of 13, before she took up nail…

How to remove the cuticle safely

By Katie Barnes | 7 July 2020

The cuticle can be unsightly and if not removed from the nail plate correctly, can lead to service breakdown. To safely work on this area, firstly it is essential to understand the difference between the cuticle and the proximal nail fold or eponychium. There is a lot of controversy and…

#NOWTRENDING: Sunflower nails by Maise Poultney, Maisie Leah Nails

By Sophie Nutt | 7 July 2020

Maisie Poultney, of Maisie Leah Nails, shares her love for the nail industry, her career story so far and how she created these oh-so pretty sunflower nails… “I have been qualified in Calgel since 2015 but I only really did nails for my friends and family,” explains Maisie. “I started…

Are you eligible for a music license refund?

By Guest Writer | 6 July 2020

Kara Kotsonis, founder of the award-winning NailSquad Nail Bar in Deal, Kent, explains why businesses affected by Covid-19 could be eligible for a music license refund… If you use, play, or listen to recorded music at your business or organisation, the chances are that you may need or already obtain…

Georgie Smedley Group shares advice for reopening

By Guest Writer | 30 June 2020

Jazz Christodoulou, of Georgie Smedley Group, shares her top tips to preparing for reopen… It’s been months since we have seen our clients, and during this difficult time, our clients and friends have really come to understand just how important our industry is! Salons, hairdressers, beauty therapists and nail technicians not…

Are you charging enough?

By Guest Writer | 30 June 2020

Top tech & tutor, Sadie Hynes, of Britannia Beauty & Training, shares her thoughts on pricing… ‘Know your worth, then add tax’. I posted this quote along with the story behind why I was increasing my prices when we go back to work on a well-known community page – and…

A reminder to be kind on social media

By Sophie Nutt | 29 June 2020

Now more than ever it is essential that we, as an industry, are stood in solidarity with one another and support each other. As we continue to stay connected online, it is important that this support and kindness remains prevalent on social media. Unfortunately, social media can often bring out…