Coffin nails: 5 on-trend nail art designs to inspire your spring look
Coffin, or ballerina, nails are long, tapered and filed flat at the tip. The shape resembles both a coffin and a ballerina’s slipper, which inspired the interchangeable names. A popular shape choice, the coffin nail offers an optimal canvas for experimenting with nail art, seasonal colours and 3D designs. Here…
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Chrome pigments: a nail expert shares a troubleshooting guide
Educator & award-winning nail pro, Katie Clark, offers advice for dealing with issues that can arise when using chrome pigments… The chrome nail trend is ever-popular, but are you applying chrome products correctly? Each brand may have slightly different instructions, so always follow these and get in touch with the…
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Soho’s ‘hidden gem’: The underground spa delivering high-quality nail & beauty services
Spa manager, Charlotte Bull, tells all about Soholistic Spa at Ham Yard Hotel, London: an underground, luxury beauty space. Once a derelict space, the site of Ham Yard Hotel in the heart of dynamic Soho was transformed by the Firmdale Hotels group in 2014. Situated next to Piccadilly Circus and…
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Cuticle oil: what is its purpose & how often should it be applied?
‘Remember to oil your cuticles’ is a phrase we’ve all heard countless times. But what is cuticle oil and what are its benefits? We’ve rounded up everything you need to know… Cuticle oil is a moisturising product designed to improve the health and appearance of nails and the surrounding skin.…
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Master ‘nailfies’ as a nail tech with these expert photography tips
The ultimate guide to everything you need to know as a nail tech who wants to capture high-quality nail photos… First impressions matter. Blurry, dark or low-resolution photos can make it difficult for social media users to properly appreciate your nail creations, which could impact whether they decide to book…
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How to avoid stress when clients offload at the nail desk
Suzy Reading, psychologist & wellness expert for the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC), shares top tips for managing mental stress from being a soundboard for clients… “The energetic and emotional toll of listening to clients’ problems needs to be recognised and addressed as part of basic training,”…
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Living as a nail tech with endometriosis: ‘I was heartbroken & scared of losing my nail business’
Scratch chats to Andover nail tech, Jo Bennett, about her experiences suffering with chronic condition, endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition which targets the uterus, causing tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, to grow outside of it. Common symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, severe pelvic pain and extreme…
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5 steps to become a zero waste to landfill nail salon
Green Salon Collective (GSC) was founded in 2020 by environmental experts, campaigners and beauty professionals, with an aim to help member salons in the UK and Ireland to responsibly dispose of their waste. Here, GSC shares how to tackle your salon waste and become zero to landfill, to reduce your overall…
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Working together: The mothers & children building businesses in the nail industry
The nail industry has often been described as ‘one big family’, but for many nail brand owners, techs and educators, this really is a reality. To celebrate Mother’s Day, Scratch spoke to mother-child duos and trios on how they work together within nail and beauty businesses to build success… Belinda…
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How to tailor nail treatments to mums-to-be, new & mature mums
Mother’s Day offers a chance to boost your treatment offerings to satisfy a range of clients. Let us show you how… Mums-to-be The aches and strains of a pregnancy warrant some well-deserved TLC, so turn your focus to expectant mothers. “Mothers-to-be have a lot to prepare for and depending on…
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The mum juggle: how I’ve managed motherhood & a successful beauty business
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, opens up about her experiences juggling parenthood and her beauty salon… I am not sure there is ever a right time to start a family. I was quite late to the table when it came to being a mum. Having tried for…
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Meet the mums navigating nail careers alongside motherhood
Learn about mums who manicure, as three mothers share their journeys navigating nail careers alongside various stages of motherhood… Katie Turner of Radiant Nails, Devon Katie Turner has two children, one of whom has been diagnosed with autism, sensory processing disorder and pathological demand avoidance. “It’s always been a challenge…
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Leeds salon owner: Learning to trust my team & delegate has been a game-changer
You Beauty founder, Rachel Dobson, shares her career story and how learning to delegate tasks has been critical to her success as a manager. Over the past five years, Rachel’s business has rapidly expanded and she reflects on the biggest lesson she has learned: “I tried to do everything myself…
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Home nail & beauty salons: how to maintain positive neighbour relations & resolve conflict
Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year finalists for 2024 offer advice for how home business owners can keep the peace with neighbours and resolve potential conflicts… Kirsty Brown, owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling – Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 “When opening a home salon,…
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Why do I have white spots on my nails? Causes & treatment for leukonychia
Have you noticed white spots appearing on your nails? This could be leukonychia – here’s everything you need to know… What is leukonychia? This refers to discolouration, which often appears as white dots or lines on the nail. According to book, Milady’s Art & Science Nail Technology, the cause of…
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