IWD 2020: How a manicure helps this triathlete to complete the toughest of races

By Sophie Nutt | 4 March 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful women in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… Claire-Shea Simonds has been a competitive swimmer and runner since the age of eight, however from 11 years old she began to complete swimming and running with other sports to become…

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Amy Watts, Mimi & Co Nail Artistry

By Sophie Nutt | 3 March 2020

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Amy Watts, of Mimi & Co Nail Artistry, has been busy creating nails inspired by Australia’s Mardi Gras celebrations that took place over the weekend. “To create this look, I started with the colour blocked accent nail by creating…

Coronavirus fears: A review of salon hygiene practices

By Katie Barnes | 3 March 2020

With Coronavirus spreading at a rapid rate across the globe, Katie Barnes reflects on sanitation, disinfection and sterilisation procedures in the beauty sphere to help prevent the spread of any infection… In the nail salon, we are in constant contact with a a number of people every day. Sometimes, we…

IWD 2020: Laura Jane Berry on being a farmer, single parent & nail educator

By Kat Hill | 3 March 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful businesswomen in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… Meet Laura Jane Berry  – an inspiring educator offering an enriched experience owing to her rural nail academy, LJB Nail Academy. Brimming with nail know-how and educating experience, Laura Jane Berry realised…

IWD 2020: How Rebecca Crawforth overcame a brain condition to launch Navy Pro business

By Zoe Wickens | 2 March 2020

Scratch speaks to some successful and inspirational women in the nail industry leading up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… Rebecca Crawforth, owner of Navy Professional, entered the beauty industry when she was 17. “I enrolled on a beauty course at a local college,” she says. “I loved doing the…

Mandy Kelly: Why my clients love Dipt nail products

By Zoe Wickens | 1 March 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech Mandy Kelly to find out why her clients love Dipt nail products… Mandy Kelly, owner of Mandy Kelly Beauty in Durham, initially heard about Dipt from a distributor who supplied her a nail system for several years until it was discontinued. “They offered me the…

IWD 2020: How a post office & pamper party idea transformed a career in 3 months

By Scratch Staff | 1 March 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful businesswomen in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… MEET NIKOLE DAVIDSON Newcastle-upon-Tyne based Nikole began her journey into nails with Helene Kell, north east educator for Bio Sculpture Gel, shortly after giving birth to her third child.  In the…

Nicola Bishop: Life as a Glitterbels educator

By Zoe Wickens | 29 February 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech Nicola Bishop to find out about her new training room and life as a Glitterbels educator… Nicola Bishop entered the nail industry at the age of 14, when she attended a night school with her mum to gain a manicure and nail art diploma. “From…

Dana Cecil on why entering a competition helped her nail career

By Sophie Nutt | 28 February 2020

A lifelong passion for nails, positive attitude and fearless nature has seen Dana Cecil open her own salon, Nail Junkie, and rank seventh and fifth in two Next Top Nail Artist (NTNA) competitions, run by Nails magazine. With an inspiring project in the pipeline, Dana sees the future as a chance to grow and…

6 ways to promote wellness in your salon

By Sophie Nutt | 27 February 2020

Liz McKeon, beauty business expert, reveals six ways to promote wellness in your salon business… “Conduct health ‘wish list’ assessments. Create surveys that let employees share their health ‘wish list’. Such polls can include questions on topics like nutrition and exercise, while also asking how the business can support employee…

Tech Talk: Lacquer Lassie Aimee Hamilton

By Zoe Wickens | 26 February 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech, Aimee Hamilton, to learn more about her industry journey… Aimee Hamilton of The Lacquer Lassie initially became interested in nails when she was about 10 or 11 years old, after stumbling across nail art tutorials on YouTube. “I became hooked,” she says. “I didn’t actually…

#BeKind: why & how you should support fellow nail techs

By Scratch Staff | 26 February 2020

Nail tech & salon owner, Karen M Brown, shares her creativity and wisdom in a series for Scratch… Based in Scotland, Karen co-owns (with her sister) Sanctuary in the City; two multi-award-winning salon destinations. The duo also owns training academy, NABTA UK, and provides nail and beauty education across the UK. Karen co-founded…

Why you shouldn’t choose a one-day nail training course

By Scratch Staff | 26 February 2020

Award-winning educator, Hannah Garbett of Staffordshire Nail Academy,  reveals the implications of learning the art of nails in one day… Do you want to be a ‘pro’ or a ‘have a go’? If you want to become a nail tech, that’s awesome news. But if you want to become one…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Odyssey Spa, Stevenage

By Kat Hill | 26 February 2020

The Odyssey Spa in Stevenage prides itself on providing a relaxing, holistic experience thanks to warming Moroccan touches in its décor. “We have a Moroccan theme throughout the spa,” explains spa director, Tiffany Harding-Aucott. “We wanted a spa that was dark and cosy for our clients to completely relax in.” The spa’s relaxation…

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Karen Brown, Sanctuary In The City

By Sophie Nutt | 25 February 2020

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Karen Brown, of Sanctuary In The City, reveals Billie Eilish-inspired nails have been popular with her clients recently. “Billie Eilish is the talk of the red carpet at the minute and her current hair colours, as well as her…