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The nail techs who went from online friends to podcast hosts

By Lilly Delmage | 23 May 2025

Nail techs, Rachel Coast and Evie Glows, started out as online friends within a nail tech community, and have since launched their podcast, The Nail Files. Describing the podcast as ‘relatable, uplifting and a way to facilitate connection’, the duo is passionate about entertaining nail techs with relatable and humorous…

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Devon nail tech & mental health first aider on how to prioritise wellness in the salon

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 May 2025

“While holding clients’ hands – quite literally for hours at a time, they can open up, allowing you to celebrate the ups in their lives, but also the downs,” says Emily Harris, owner of North Devon business, Vanity Nails & Tanning. The passionate pro is a qualified mental health first…

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My client’s nautical-themed manicure went viral on her cruise ship holiday

By Lilly Delmage | 18 May 2025

Manchester nail tech, Natalie Reay, and her client, Joanne Darby, spent over twelve months planning Joanne’s nail design for her cruise holiday – a style that unexpectedly found fame among cruise-goers, sparking conversations, connections and creativity. Imagine having ‘famous’ nails. This was the experience of Joanne Darby, who turned to…

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Sustainability tips: 5 ways to be a water-wise beauty business

By Green Salon Collective | 16 May 2025

Green Salon Collective explains how you can value and protect water in your beauty business… The Collective 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. Environmental legislation and policies…

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Portsmouth nail pro: What I learned from mental health struggles during pregnancy

By Guest Writer | 15 May 2025

Laura Gilbert-Anderson of Basic Witch Nails shares her maternal mental health experiences and what they have taught her… I was diagnosed with a liver condition during my first pregnancy, so my baby and I had to be closely monitored. If test results weren’t good, it meant days spent at the…

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The dos & don’ts of speaking to a salon employee with mental health considerations

By Rebecca Hitchon | 12 May 2025

As a business owner, do you know how to speak to an employee who is struggling with their mental health, giving them the support they need? We’ve sourced expert advice to ensure you use mindful language when talking to staff.   “When speaking with a colleague with mental health issues,…

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Burnt out to booked up: how funding changed my life & can benefit your nail business

By Guest Writer | 11 May 2025

Sarah Abel, funded growth strategist & founder of TNB Skills Training, shares how funding helped her find success – and can do the same for you… Fifteen years ago, I was drowning in £50,000 of debt. I had maxed out credit cards, just left a job with a company car…

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Beyond The Brush: The nail tech community built on relationships, support & honesty

By Lilly Delmage | 10 May 2025

Gel nail educator & artist, Gemma Siverns, speaks to Scratch about her online community, Beyond The Brush (BTB) – a supportive, educational space she created for nail professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Gemma is a natural mentor. She began her journey in 2000, earning her…

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Suffolk nail artist: ‘My salon isn’t just about treatments – it’s a whole experience’

By Lilly Delmage | 8 May 2025

Allie Eve, owner of The Nail Matrix, opens the doors of her bohemian sanctuary salon, unveiling a space to ‘spark creativity and escapism’. “The Nail Matrix is all about stepping out of the chaos and into a space where time slows down and the world melts away,” explains Allie. “From…

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Nail tech’s maternal mental health struggles: ‘Talking & finding support saved my life’

By Guest Writer | 7 May 2025

New Mexico tech, Amberley Robinson, aka The Nail Tattooist, opens up about her maternal mental health experiences… When my first child was six months old, I juggled roles as a full-time beauty student and breastfeeding mum. Leaving my son with a caregiver each day made me feel heartbroken and guilty,…

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5 ways to support deaf clients in the nail salon

By Scratch Staff | 6 May 2025

It is estimated that one in three people in the UK have hearing loss, highlighting the importance of making your nail space as comfortable and inclusive as possible for deaf people. Here are some methods to make your business more accommodating to clients who are hard of hearing… 1. PPE…

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Midwife & nail tech: ‘Whether in a delivery room or my nail studio, I love supporting women’

By Lilly Delmage | 5 May 2025

Meet Leila Zahedi: a midwife, nail tech & co-founder of Better Births London – best known as The Midwives in Your Pocket® (MIYP®), a WhatsApp support service offering real-time, compassionate guidance seven days per week. Born in Iran, Leila moved to London and was raised by her single mother and…

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Multiple ear piercing: the beauty trend for 2025 & how to offer in the salon

By Guest Writer | 2 May 2025

Piercing equipment and training provider, Studex, shares information about three multi piercing techniques… “With multiple ear piercings becoming one of the biggest beauty trends of 2025, Studex is offering guidance on new piercing techniques, exclusive to Studex Piercing Partners,” says a spokesperson for the brand. “Not only are multi piercings…

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Artificial nails: 7 steps to reduce the risk of allergy

By Guest Writer | 29 April 2025

Caroline Rainsford, director of science at the Cosmetics, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), shares practical ways to reduce allergy in the nail space… Acrylate monomers, which are the starting materials in liquid & powder (L&P) and UV/LED gel nail systems, can sometimes cause allergic reactions if they touch the skin.…

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6 essential tips for nail techs to protect their physical health

By Lilly Delmage | 28 April 2025

Swiss beauty brand, Mavala, offers its top tips for beauty professionals to protect their physical health and wellbeing whilst working demanding roles… In the beauty industry, technicians play a crucial role in boosting the wellbeing of clients. However, Mavala has noticed the little focus shed on the wellness and self-care…

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