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Ilex Wood on one stroke nail art, industry friends and Nail Harmony UK

By Kat Hill | 7 July 2018

Ilex Wood is a bachelor educator with Nail Harmony UK and based in Doncaster. What is your all-time favourite nail product? My all-time favourite nail product must be Gelish Structure Gel. It is so versatile I can use it in all most any nail service, and both my clients and students are going…

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Tax and Tips: The Lowdown

By Kat Hill | 4 July 2018

Top tip or not to tip? Your clients may be asking that question, but do you know the HM Revenue and Customs’ stance on that little something extra?  A recent survey from www.onbuy.com revealed Britian’s most tipped profession, as well as consumer’s tipping habits. After asking over 2,000 participants, it…

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#TRENDINGTUESDAY Jemma Ball, Jemma Bailey Beauty

By Sophie Nutt | 3 July 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Jemma Ball, of Jemma Bailey Beauty, reveals that punchy peachy hues combined with tropical leaf art have been popular with her clients recently. “I think the simplicity of this design makes it so popular. Its summery but not in…

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MANI MONDAY: Monday blues

By Sophie Nutt | 2 July 2018

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! Erase the Monday blues with this ‘rad’ ocean-inspired nail art, painted freehand by talented tech, Tan Okamura of Vanity Projects salon in New York. The design sees a clear, high-shine base topped with hand painted art in…

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WHAT I’M WEARING: Emma Atkinson

By Sophie Nutt | 1 July 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Emma Atkinson, has us seeing blue with a nail set inspired by the holiday season. “I created them using Glam and Glits Coloured Acrylic, NSI Cover Pink for the nail bed and The Nail Team‘s new Elite Glitter…

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Improve your skillset with one-day courses at The Nail Academy Essex

By Kat Hill | 1 July 2018

Are you seeking a one day course to boost your nail skill set or refine a technique? Located in Clacton-on-Sea, The Nail Academy Essex offers independent, unaffiliated training, providing a variety of nail courses. Delivered in a friendly, supportive environment, the course are hosted with passion by owner and head educator, Louise…

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Improve gel nail application with Bio Sculpture’s new online training course

By Helena Biggs | 30 June 2018

With the aim to make nail training as easy as possible and accessible to all, Bio Sculpture Gel has launched an online training course.  Available to anyone with a manicure certificate and gel experience, the course offers the opportunity to complete training in your own environment over a couple of weeks; ideal for…

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Laura Easby on nail idols, artistic style and our industry

By Kat Hill | 30 June 2018

Tell us about your training… I decided to go straight from school to college where I trained in Beauty & Spa Therapies. From then started an apprenticeship, and this is definitely where I developed my crazy work ethic! The nail route really called to me and I knew this was…

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Relocating your salon? Here’s how to choose a new location…

By Kat Hill | 29 June 2018

Thinking of making the big move to a new salon location? Consider these pointers when selecting a new location… When choosing a location, consider at the level of passing trade; will you be able to entice this footfall through the salon door? Is this going to affect the success of…

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Considerations & advice for nail techs thinking of ‘going mobile’

By Metta Francis | 29 June 2018

Multi-award winner and Scratch Stars finalist, Metta Francis of Nails by Mets, shares her top for techs consider the mobile manicuring route. Pick a business name You can choose to trade under a business name e.g. Nails by Mets or your own name e.g. Metta Francis Nails. Before deciding on…

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How to perfect the application technique for Artistic Colour Gloss

By Sophie Nutt | 28 June 2018

Hone your Artistic Colour Gloss technique as Scratch probes Carrie-Leigh Allen, educator for Louella Belle, about the ideal application technique for Artistic Colour Gloss… “For the perfect application of Artistic Colour Gloss, ensure cuticle work is performed thoroughly, leaving no non-living tissue on the nail plate. Remove surface shine and file the…

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How to approach the upsell process & boost beauty profits

By Scratch Staff | 27 June 2018

Naomi Mogg, educator for ASP, reveals why upselling treatments is one of the easiest ways to increase revenue and grow retail sales… Many therapists miss valuable opportunities to upsell because they feel that they are not ‘a salesperson’. However, you don’t need to be a salesperson to upsell – you just…

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Boost your bridal client care with these top tips

By Kat Hill | 27 June 2018

Is your appointment diary starting to fill up with bridal clients? Mandy Cook, sales director at Gerrard International, offers some advice for a smooth service and top-notch client care for the big day… “A bridal client is lucrative business for the nail tech as she will need a course of treatments leading up to…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Bronze and Beautyful, Newcastle under Lyme

By Kat Hill | 27 June 2018

Radiating positive vibes and an oh-so tropical theme, Bronze and Beautyful is the result of Lauren Lily Lea’s hard work and passion for the beauty industry. “I opened the salon in 2014,” reveals Lauren. “I went from working full time for car hire company with a bedroom beauty salon on the…

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How to market microblading to clients

By Kat Hill | 26 June 2018

Thinking of training in microblading, but worried your clients won’t take up the treatment? Emma Apps, brow expert at The Eyelash Design Company, advises you to reassure them. “Brow services are extremely profitable, especially nowadays as they have become so popular,” explains Emma. “Brow Perfect Microblading especially offers excellent profits;…

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