Discover the Tunbridge Wells salon brought to life by a dynamic nail duo
The Nail Nest – a stunning salon in Tunbridge Wells, Kent – is the passion project of nail techs, Alice Knight and Shurun Li. The duo met while working in the same salon and decided to combine their 20 years of experience to create The Nail Nest. “We found kindred…
Nails & cancer: a guide for nail techs
While everyone can appreciate the benefits of a pamper, indulging those fighting cancer can be a truly rewarding experience. Here, experts answer nail professionals’ questions about caring for clients with cancer… What insurance requirements are there? “We offer one of the widest insurance covers available, and work tirelessly with insurers to…
22 customisable Valentine’s nail art ideas for a personal touch
Everyone loves a thoughtful handwritten note or personalised message. Translate this onto nails with swoon-worthy styles and tailored talons, because what could be cuter than personalised Valentine’s Day nail art? Halo VIP & content creator, Michaela Phillips, predicts that popular Valentine’s nail art in 2026 will include ‘personalised initial details…
What are barcode nails? Trend guide, styles & inspiration
Nail trends come and go in the blink of an eye. From glazed donut finishes to polka dots, tartan prints and cat eye designs, there’s always a new look taking over our feeds. Now, a fresh twist on the magnetic effect behind cat eye nails is making waves on social…
A nail technician’s guide to protective gloves
Robert Giblett, nail industry safety expert & founder of professional nail brand, IKON.IQ, shares gloves insight for nail pros… Why do you need the right gloves? As a nail technician, your hands are your most important tools. Every day, you work with chemicals that can cause allergies and skin problems.…
10 times Megan Fox’s nail looks stole the spotlight
Alongside her acting career, Megan Fox is also known for her styling, in particular an array of stunning nail looks courtesy of her go-to tech, Brittney Boyce (@nails_of_la). Let’s take a look at some of her standout nail designs… Brittney Boyce has treated Fox to an array of jewel-encrusted talons,…
VTCT expands international learner support with language assessment
Beauty qualifications awarding body, VTCT, has launched the Vocational English Language Assessment (VELA), to benefit international learners. The AI-powered English proficiency test is designed ‘to support international learners, training providers and employers with a fast, reliable and accessible way to validate English language capability’. VELA works by evaluating four core…
How to manage maternity leave as a self-employed nail tech
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares how she juggled her business and becoming a mum… A question I get asked a lot, as a working mum, is how I managed my maternity leave and return to work once my daughter arrived. Being self-employed has many benefits, but…
Onycholysis: what is it & how can it be treated?
Let’s talk the causes of onycholysis, aka nail separation, how to prevent and what to do when it’s presented at the nail desk… Picture this: you scrape your knee and pop a plaster over the top to help it heal. Three days later, that plaster has started to lift. At…
18 silly goose nail designs guaranteed to make you smile
Silly goose – arguably one of the best terms in the English language – is lovingly reserved for someone behaving in a comedically foolish and delightfully unserious way. In honour of all the silly geese among us, we’ve rounded up 20 goose-tastic nail styles that perfectly capture that unapologetically absurd…
78 winter nail designs: nail art contest entries & winner
The winner of the Scratch Snap nail art contest for January is Bristol nail pro, Kellie Sanfiz-Gould. In a showcase of talent, UK&I techs created salon-style nail designs inspired by theme, Frosted Fingertips, in the bid to win an Artistic Nail Design prize. Entries were judged by Victoria Trafford, Artistic educator & brand manager at Sweet Squared, and Scratch editor, Rebecca…
Step inside a nail studio sanctuary in the heart of Somerset
After training in 2019, nail artist, Vienna Marchant, began her career in a small high street salon. “The building was literally falling apart, so I decided it was time to create my own space,” she shares. The Gel Studio – Vienna’s garden salon in Minehead – took four months to…
The 2016 nail trends making a 2026 comeback
Social media has fallen head over heels into a time warp. Users are embracing 2016-core, from shoelace chokers to Snapchat filters… but what are the 2016 nail trends that are making a comeback a decade later? The March 2016 edition of Scratch shone a spotlight on trending nail styles, and…
3 tips to avoid non-paying nail clients
Nail mentor, Hannah Clayton, offers up advice for business owners dealing with clients not paying for treatments. It happens more than nail techs like to admit: the famous words, ‘I’ll transfer it later‘, or a client standing up, grabbing their coat and walking out while you’re still tidying your nail desk.…
Latina beauty influencer launches capsule nail polish collection
Lights Lacquer – the nail colour and care brand founded by beauty influencer & YouTuber, Kathleen Lights – has unveiled the Core Collection. As trend cycles shift towards capsule classics and long-term staples, the collection echoes this with a line-up that offers ‘intentional colour, versatility and longevity’. Lights Lacquer was…
