Natural nails

Nail anatomy: essential parts of the nail every nail technician should know

By Katie Barnes | 27 March 2025

As a nail professional, it is paramount that you familiarise yourself with all parts of nail anatomy to ensure you are offering your clients a professional and thorough service. Understanding the purpose and growth of the nail The primary function of the nail is to protect the outermost bone of…

Read More
Beauty bottles

Beauty brands encouraged to switch from plastic bottles in eco-friendly initiative

By Rebecca Hitchon | 27 March 2025

Molded fibre packaging manufacturer, NBCo, has launched Fast Forward 50, to help beauty and personal care brands transition away from single-use plastic bottles. The first 50 brands that sign up to the initiative will each be offered a free 200ml (122mm x 60mm) NBCo fibre bottle, allowing them to test…

Read More
Marie louise coster question

The question you should ask yourself to find success in the nail industry

By Marie-Louise Coster | 27 March 2025

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, explores the question ‘what is your why?’… Have you ever considered what your why is? Your ‘why’ is the reason or motivation behind your decisions. There is a why behind everything you do, so what is yours? This is something I talk…

Read More
Dawn wolk nail desk

Sussex nail tech: How I navigate epilepsy to keep offering nail services

By Scratch Staff | 26 March 2025

Dawn Wolk has huge adoration for the nail industry. It gives her independence and a sense of self-worth – but regular seizures mean she can only accommodate two clients per day. The East Sussex nail pro, who attained an L&P acrylic nail qualification in February 2023, suffers with epilepsy and…

Read More
Lilly web newsfeature lead 1200x800px 134

Self-employment help for nail techs: marketing advice & networking tips

By Lilly Delmage | 25 March 2025

Here’s how to gain the attention of clients by building a buzz around your business… Once you have registered your business, considered tax requirements and made decisions regarding legal, financial and operational considerations, as well as safety and interior design choices, it’s time to build your clientele through effective marketing techniques.…

Read More
Shara taylor tech talk

Bristol nail tech: how I navigate functional neurological disorder (FND)

By Rebecca Hitchon | 25 March 2025

To mark FND Awareness Day (25 March), Shara Taylor, owner of Bare Beauty Aesthetics, Bristol, opens up about her experiences with the condition… Charity, FND Action, details: “Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a brain network disorder that can encompass a diverse range of neurological symptoms, including limb weakness, paralysis, seizures,…

Read More
Nina nicholson beauty header

Greater Manchester nail tech: Why I closed a bustling salon to open a home-based business

By Rebecca Hitchon | 22 March 2025

Nina of Wigan home salon, Nina Nicholson Beauty & Lecenté lead educator, shares why a huge career switch was the best decision she ever made… Nina Nicholson opened her first salon at the age of 18, and went on to acquire a larger premises a few years later. After building…

Read More
L&p acrylic vs dip powder

L&P acrylic vs dip powder nails: what’s the difference?

By Lilly Delmage | 22 March 2025

The L&P acrylic and dip powder systems are both artificial nail offerings, and popular choices for a long-lasting, durable nail finish. However, they have distinct differences. Understanding the terminology and chemistry behind the products is essential for meeting your clients’ needs. Here’s what you need to know about each system……

Read More
Hannah beth clayton story

Lancashire manicurist: How I built a business & community by mentoring nail techs

By Hannah Beth Clayton | 20 March 2025

Hannah Beth Clayton, natural nail specialist, CND™ UK ambassador, educator & mentor, kickstarts her monthly online column by sharing her mentoring journey… Years ago, if you’d told me that I’d be mentoring and educating other beauty professionals, I probably would have laughed. Like most people in this industry, I started…

Read More
Jade barber nail competitions

Kent nail artist: How I navigate nail competitions with autism & ADHD

By Guest Writer | 18 March 2025

Jade Barber, founder of Nail & Beauty Excellence & Scratch Stars L&P Tech of the Year 2022, shares her experiences of neurodiversity in the nail arena… I began competing early in my nail career, as my educator entered me into a student category at a Professional Beauty nail competition. Without…

Read More
Recycling web newsfeature lead 1200x800px

Sustainable beauty: Here’s how to recycle your nail salon waste

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 March 2025

With a number of day-to-day considerations to navigate, how you manage your salon waste can often be pushed to the back of your mind. But it’s easier than you think to respect the environment through your work, as we highlight via our roundup of recycling schemes and tips. Green Salon…

Read More
Treatwell campaign 2025 mani bus

Treatwell campaign inspires London commuters to prioritise self-care

By Helena Biggs | 17 March 2025

Hair and beauty booking platform, Treatwell, has launched the ‘Out Of Home’ campaign, to encourage Londoners to book treatments for their wellbeing needs. Launched on 10 March and running until 6 April 2025, 300 billboards across the London Underground and 300 buses are displaying the campaign’s messages, reminding commuters that…

Read More
Lilly web newsfeature lead 1200x800px 127

Nail piercings: the trending way to upgrade your manicure

By Lilly Delmage | 16 March 2025

Nail piercings are everywhere – offering a simple, pain-free solution to nail enthusiasts wanting to add some edge to their looks, without having to commit to a body piercing. The autumn/winter 2025 Fashion Weeks could be to thank for this rise in nail jewellery, with pierced nails seen on the…

Read More
Lilly web newsfeature lead 1200x800px 123

Staffordshire tech: Working from a home salon has been the best decision I’ve made

By Lilly Delmage | 15 March 2025

Katie Pritchard of Katie Lou Nail Artist and Educator opens her salon’s doors to Scratch and shares the benefits of becoming a home-based tech. Having been in the nail industry for 20 years, Katie has experimented with a variety of ways of working. She says: “I have worked as a…

Read More
Glass ceiling

Break the glass ceiling: how to attract premium beauty clients & grow your business

By Guest Writer | 12 March 2025

Beauty business mentor & award-winning entrepreneur, Stevey Powell, shares advice for if you’re experiencing the ‘glass ceiling’ effect… We start our beauty businesses with a passion for what we do and over time, build a loyal client base and keep our calendars booked. But for some of us, there comes…

Read More