Mlc fw ss24

Diary of a session nail tech: London Fashion Week SS24

By Marie-Louise Coster | 25 September 2023

For her second monthly column for Scratch, session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, reveals what happened behind the scenes when she led nail looks for the Edward Crutchley spring/summer 2024 London Fashion Week show… It never ceases to amaze me that the five-minute show the world sees…

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10 ingredients in beauty products w uses

10 ingredients in your beauty products & their uses

By Callie Iley | 25 September 2023

Explore 10 common ingredients found in nailcare products & their functions… Allantoin Ideal for treating cracked and damaged skin, allantoin supports the healing process and has gentle exfoliating properties. It is used to soften and moisturise cuticles and encourages nail growth. This conditioning cuticle cream helps to soften both the…

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Alice nali nail tech talk feature

Nail Tech Talk: Meet Alice Nali, Scratch Stars Nail Stylist of the Year 2023

By Callie Iley | 24 September 2023

Get to know Italian-born Alice Nali, Scratch Stars Nail Stylist of the Year 2023, who shares her nail story, journey to success & future goals… Alice Nali first visited a nail salon around the age of 10, and fondly remembers the range of colours and glitters displayed on the shelves.…

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Liz mckeon launches successful salon formula header

Liz McKeon launches international coaching programme to support salon success

By Callie Iley | 23 September 2023

Business expert & International Business School founder, Liz McKeon, has launched The Successful Salon Formula: a programme that helps salon owners achieve their goals. It comprises Liz’s ‘3G method’, a five-step method where ‘greatness’ is learned on how to excel as a boss, elevate the client experience and generate sales.…

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Townhouse knightsbridge

Salon in the Spotlight: Townhouse, Knightsbridge, Scratch Stars Awards winner

By Rebecca Hitchon | 23 September 2023

Following Townhouse, Knightsbridge’s second consecutive Nail Salon of the Year win at the Scratch Stars Awards 2023, founder & creative director, Juanita Huber-Millet, shares what the win means to the team and what to expect from the salon brand in future… Townhouse has become a familiar face at the Scratch…

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Katy pottle wsna training

World’s Star Nail Artist launches online masterclasses to elevate the skills of fellow pros

By Helena Biggs | 21 September 2023

Katy Pottle, winner of the first World’s Star Nail Artist (WSNA) competition, has launched online workshops and one-to-one masterclasses to help pros enhance their nail art skills. Channelling the nail techniques acquired over two decades in the industry and learned throughout her WSNA experience, each pre-recorded online workshop serves up…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Blackheart Beauty, North Shields

By Chloe Randall | 21 September 2023

After working in the beauty industry since 2004 and training with Kirsty Meakin, Emily Ferguson and other prestigious nail techs, Tara Stephenson opened her dream salon in 2020 but sadly it was closed due to the pandemic. Now, she has transformed her spare room into her own nail sanctuary with…

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Ella vivii

Tech Talk: Meet Fashion Week nail stylist, Ella Vivii

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 September 2023

The story behind Ella Vivii’s introduction to the nail industry is a heart-warming one. Her mum, Charlotte Burgess, owns a nail and beauty salon, educates and is a session stylist, so Ella grew up around nails. “But I was always more interested in fashion and studied Styling & Production at the…

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Omega nails in pontypool

Salon in the Spotlight: Omega Nails, Pontypool

By Callie Iley | 14 September 2023

Wanting to create a space for herself and her clients to unapologetically be themselves, Tan Adams drew inspiration from tattoo shops for her salon’s alternative styling. “I want my space to feel like a haven for people who struggle to fit into mainstream spaces. Growing up, I was convinced that…

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Beautyverse app

Want to expand your clientele & streamline bookings? Enter the Beautyverse…

By Helena Biggs | 14 September 2023

Are you a beauty pro, struggling to fill gaps in your diary and get noticed by new clients? Or are you a client who seeks to book an appointment with ease? Download Beautyverse – an app designed to simplify the communication and booking process between beauty artists and clients. The app,…

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Sustainable suppliers

3 steps to choose a sustainable supplier for your beauty business

By Guest Writer | 13 September 2023

Charlotte Scallon, head of sustainability & regulation at waste management company, Biffa, offers a three-step strategy to help businesses understand how to choose a sustainable supplier… Choosing a sustainable supplier that helps you meet your goals can be challenging, but the process should be energising, not daunting. Our three-step strategy…

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Maddi cook price calculator

Keen to boost your profits? Salon expert shares pricing calculator & course for beauty pros

By Helena Biggs | 11 September 2023

Are you struggling to calculate your outgoings and wondering why your sums are leaving you short each month? Try the handy pricing calculator and course from Maddi Cook, a salon business expert & owner of Boss Your Salon. Maddi, a finalist in the 2023 Scratch Stars Awards for Services to…

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Nail tools general pic

Here’s why you shouldn’t let your nail & beauty tools air dry after cleaning

By Katie Barnes | 11 September 2023

Most nail tools and e-file bits are made from steel and iron. Rust occurs on nail tools, E-file bits, and other metal items when water (or moisture including humidity) and oxygen come into contact with iron or steel for a certain amount of time. This is a naturally occurring chemical…

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Opi winners spotlight

Meet the OPI Education Team, Scratch Stars Awards Nail Team of the Year 2023

By Callie Iley | 9 September 2023

Consisting of 20 nail professionals, the OPI Education Team is a close-knit group of passionate educators based across the UK, working on a full-time and freelance basis. “As a team, we all very much admire and inspire each other, whether it be creative talent, business acumen, approach with students, attitude,…

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A dash of beauty in balcombe

Salon in the Spotlight: A Dash Of Beauty, Balcombe

By Callie Iley | 7 September 2023

Gaining her NVQ level 2 and 3 in beauty therapy in 2013 at Nescot College in Epsom, Surrey, Lisa Wathen went on to work in a range of spas, training with Elemis and ESPA Skincare, before continuing her education with HD Brows, The GelBottle Inc, and a local independent trainer close…

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