Salon in the Spotlight: Hr Beauty, Morton, Lincolnshire

By Rebecca Hitchon | 4 July 2024

Halo VIP, Holly Rodgers, shares how she transformed her garage into sophisticated salon space, Hr Beauty, and the ways she creates a positive client experience… Holly Rodgers tells Scratch that she has always had a passion for the beauty industry, so upon qualifying in 2020 and converting her garage to…

Session manicurist opens London salon focused on nailcare memberships

By Rebecca Hitchon | 2 July 2024

Centred on nailcare memberships and flexible pay-as-you-go nail services, Manicured London has opened in Hackney Wick. Founded by session manicurist & educator, Tinu Bello, the East London space has inclusivity and affordability at its core, as Bello explains: “Manicured London began as a concept I scribbled in notes on my…

7 top tips to promote wellbeing in the beauty workplace

By Rebecca Hitchon | 29 June 2024

How often do you feel stressed? Research shows that the average UK adult feels stressed for around eight days per month. Being a beauty professional may be what earns you money, but it is also your passion and should have a positive impact on your wellbeing. So how can wellness…

The 5 social media mistakes that are stopping you from attracting clients to your beauty business

By Jo Tompkins | 27 June 2024

Are your social media accounts failing to attract your ideal clients? Here are the most common issues I see on the social media platforms of nail techs that prevent growth: 1. Lack of strategy. Most nail techs use their social media accounts as photo albums. While this is great for…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Shed, Swansea, Wales

By Rebecca Hitchon | 27 June 2024

Step inside The Beauty Shed: a welcoming salon nestled within the Welsh countryside, as owner, Katie Dutton, shares the story of the space… Undertaking beauty training in 2004, Katie Dutton didn’t pursue a career in the sector until 2022, after a conversation with her beautician friend. “We talked about how…

SalonCycle launches to help UK hair & beauty salons recycle waste

By Rebecca Hitchon | 26 June 2024

International recycling company, TerraCycle, has launched SalonCycle in the UK: a scheme to help hair and beauty pros and salons divert their hard-to-recycle waste from landfill and incineration. Following a successful launch in the US, SalonCycle’s UK unveiling offers a simple and convenient recycling solution to businesses in England, Scotland,…

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Emoke, Harrow, Greater London

By Rebecca Hitchon | 22 June 2024

Emoke Andre, owner of London nail salon, Nails by Emoke, tells Scratch about the unique qualities of the business and its ‘family’ of staff… Qualifying as a nail technician in 2014, Emoke Andre worked in a salon in London, but always had a bigger goal in mind: to open her…

Want to start a home or mobile nail business? Here’s what you need to know

By Marie-Louise Coster | 21 June 2024

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares her experiences working from home and on a mobile basis… We are in a cost of living crisis: everything is more expensive than it was and people aren’t spending as much money. So is now a good time to start…

A guide to greenwashing & what to do if you spot it in the beauty industry

By Rebecca Hitchon | 19 June 2024

While public interest in and understanding of eco purchasing choices has increased dramatically in recent years, buying a product that is sustainable isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. “Consumers expect sustainability and corporate responsibility to be a given, not a differentiating factor. However, I think this is a key…

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap June 2024

By Rebecca Hitchon | 17 June 2024

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge for June has been announced as Georgi Watt. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs to fit theme, Holiday Vibes, in the bid to win a prize from NailKind. Entries were judged by Scratch senior news & features writer, Rebecca Hitchon, and co-founder…

How to tackle loneliness & self-doubt in the nail industry

By Scratch Staff | 14 June 2024

Your role sees you care for the nail needs of others, but are you looking after your own wellbeing? In an industry with a large portion of solo workers, there’s never been a better excuse to stay connected. “Feeling lonely isn’t in itself a mental health problem, but the two…

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails By Nichole, Rochester, Kent

By Scratch Staff | 13 June 2024

Nichole Reynolds shares the story behind her home salon haven, Nails By Nichole, and provides a glimpse into her nail offerings… Nichole Reynolds worked from her dining room for 15 years before her husband offered to convert the shed into a nail space. “I was comfortable indoors, but my husband…

What you need to know about mixing brands at the nail desk

By Dani Bailey | 10 June 2024

Dani Bailey, nail educator & Scratch Stars finalist for The Shooting Star Award 2024, begins her online article series by sharing her career story and exploring concerns around mixing nail brands. I’ve always been a self-confessed nail nerd. I’ve devoured nail scientist, Doug Schoon’s work and after completing the NailKnowledge…

Here’s how to treat common nail conditions – including pseudomonas & onycholysis

By Guest Writer | 8 June 2024

OPI educator, Lucy Price-Marshall who is a Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist for 2024 and took the title in 2023, shares troubleshooting pointers for common nail conditions. Identifying and treating common nail conditions and service concerns are valuable skills that will support your career. Knowledge of…

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails at The Oaks, Great Oakley, Essex

By Rebecca Hitchon | 6 June 2024

Paisley Barendrecht shares how she came to own home salon, Nails at The Oaks, offering Beverly Hills-inspired escapism to clients… Having two children in the space of less than two years changed Paisley Barendrecht’s outlook on her career. Rather than returning to an office job after maternity leave, she decided…