5 ways to keep your social media followers engaged during lockdown

By Sophie Nutt | 26 June 2020

Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System nail expert and salon owner of Sketched by J-A Nails, shares tips on how to keep your social media followers interested and engaged during lockdown… As we are all unable to work with clients during this time, it can be hard to keep your social media…

Back to work: What ventilation you need

By Scratch Staff | 24 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… The government’s Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-19 in close contact services guidelines state: “Maintaining good ventilation in the work environment, for example keeping windows or…

Back to work: How to care for your nail tools

By Scratch Staff | 24 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… The government’s Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-19 in close contact services guidelines state: Further increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning. Using disposable…

Nail art options for every skill level

By Guest Writer | 24 June 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on the esteemed educators at Beauty2trs, the online platform for nail classes… This month: Awarding winning nail tech, Dorota Palicka About Dorota Dorota moved with her family from Poland to a small village in Scotland in 2006. Due to the language barrier she was not able to work as…

#NOWTRENDING: Oyster shell style nails by Paiwa Loves

By Helena Biggs | 23 June 2020

For a nail artist that lives close to a shoreline in Rye, East Sussex, it was only fitting that she create a set of oyster shell style nails – and they’re a delight to behold. After working with children for 20 years, Paiwa Drew, who goes by the business handle…

Why should you train in lash services?

By Sophie Nutt | 22 June 2020

Offering an instantly gratifying effect and requiring maintenance appointments at regular intervals – similar to nail services, lash treatments offer an opportunity for nail technicians to expand their skillset, boost income and attract new clients. According to The Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists, almost nine million lash treatments were carried out in…

Going cashless with card machines

By Kat Hill | 22 June 2020

Cash in on taking card payments for your services with these tip from Helen Prowse, head of communications at Square UK… “Take some time to think about when you’ll take card payments – in person, in a shop, on the move, over the phone, or on the web – and look…

PPE for nail techs: important points to consider

By Katie Barnes | 21 June 2020

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is equipment that will protect you against health or safety risks while performing your job. This has always been a requirement of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) for nail techs and in the current pandemic, it is also required to protect you, your workers…

WHAT I’M WEARING: Mihaela Pirliteanu, MP Nails & Beauty

By Sophie Nutt | 21 June 2020

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Mihaela Pirliteanu, of MP Nails & Beauty, wears a dreamy peacock-inspired design. “As a nail artist, these types of intricate, hand painted designs are what I do for my customers and sometimes for myself. “These nails are made from hard…

Back to Work: Staff matters

By Scratch Staff | 19 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… The government’s Keeping workers and clients safe during COVID-19 in close contact services guidelines state: You must maintain social distancing in the workplace wherever possible. When providing…

Back to Work: Clean up

By Scratch Staff | 19 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… Following your risk assessment, you need to thoroughly clean and title your premises. Not only is this good health & safety practice, but will reassure your…

Back to Work: Check-in with clients

By Scratch Staff | 19 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… When you have the official go-ahead to reopen your business and you’re confident that you have taken all necessary safety measures, you will need to communicate…

Back to Work: Top up training

By Scratch Staff | 19 June 2020

Scratch gathers guidelines from across the industry for what should be considered for when you & your clients set foot back into your business… “Effective infection control is paramount to minimising the risk of the spread of harmful diseases/bacteria/viruses etc.,” notes BABTAC’s Back To Work Guidelines.  “By understanding the processes…

Britney Tokyo reveals summer’s hottest nail art trend

By Sophie Nutt | 19 June 2020

LA-based celebrity manicurist & Scratch columnist for 2020, Britney Tokyo, reveals this summer’s most in-demand nail art trend… I’m going to let you in on a juicy nail art trend that’s a real mood-booster and is set to be huge this summer: fruity nails! Although this isn’t a new trend, it affords…

The differences between working as a nail tech in the UK & the US

By Guest Writer | 18 June 2020

Celebrity manicurist & international nail fashion designer, Naomi Gonzalez-Longstaff, reveals the differences & similarities between working as a nail tech in the UK and the USA… I have been travelling globally for my career over the past 12 years. I’ve been to Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain, to name just…