Which Gelish system works best for my nail needs?
No nails are identical in their needs, so get clued up on three offerings from Gelish – each with different properties to ensure an appropriate, long-lasting and smooth nail finish for your clients. Delve into the benefits of the brand’s Brush-On Builder Gel, Foundation Flex and Structure Gel… Brush On…
Read More
Insight: Understanding scoresheets from nail & beauty competitions
To not be a finalist or winner in a nail competition or awards can leave you wondering what you did wrong and make you question your skills. As a competitor and judge, I would like to share my experiences… Recognition aside, simply applying for a nail award or being shortlisted…
Read More
What the government’s policy change means for the cosmetics animal testing ban
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) explores what the government’s policy change means for the cosmetics animal testing ban… You may have seen media reports in May that suggested that animal testing of cosmetic ingredients could restart, following the result of a UK High Court ruling. Shortly afterwards, the…
Read More
15 common nail conditions & how to deal with them
Do you know what to do when you’re faced with a natural nail concern? Scratch shares expert advice and product recommendations for 15 common nail issues… Addressing the issue The natural nail is the foundation of any great nail enhancement, so knowing how to approach common issues if and when…
Read More
Nail Tech Talk: Tammy Fontaine of Nails By Tammy
Without an artistic background, East London-based tech, Tammy Fontaine, shares that when completing her training in 2006, she never believed she’d have the patience for nail art. “Nail art didn’t come naturally to me,” she remembers. “I trained in basic manicures and pedicures at college, gaining my NVW Level 2…
Read More
Seeking a removable alternative to nails? Check out Karen Boyle’s press-on nail rings
Managing her nail career alongside a full-time IT job of 34 years, Bolton-based nail tech & press-on nail artist, Karen Boyle of Gel A Licious, shares her venture into the removable nail realm… Karen Boyle wouldn’t have described herself as artistic, so was surprised to discover her passion for nail…
Read More
Salon in the Spotlight: Nailed it by Jo, East Kilbride, Scotland
With a background in finance and a BA Honours in Business Management, Jo Simpson’s passion for nails and nail art remained as a hobby until 2019, when a serious infection led her to re-evaluate. “I had a long recovery and a few stays in hospital, which really made me reflect,”…
Read More
Phenix Salon Suites unveils second flexible UK workspace location for beauty pros
Following the success of the opening of its first UK venue in Manchester, Phenix Salon Suites expands its franchise with the unveiling of its Birmingham site for self-employed beauty professionals. Covering 6,400 square feet, the workspace features a custom-built mezzanine floor, an exclusive colour bar, air conditioning in each suite,…
Read More
The Great Scratch Shoot Out: Winning advice
2019 winner of The Great Scratch Shoot Out, Nina Lewis, shares her thoughts on the importance of entering competitions and why you should enter this year’s The Great Scratch Shoot Out… What are your thoughts on industry competitions? Why are they so important? I believe you need tenacity when entering…
Read More
5 ways to avoid greenwashing as a small beauty business
UK Greetings details how small businesses can avoid greenwashing, a deceptive marketing technique where brands make misleading claims about their environmental practices… 1. Keep communication clear 77% of UK customers don’t understand what companies are claiming when they talk about sustainability. This can lead to confusion, such as customers believing…
Read More
How to justify your nail treatment prices
Hair and beauty business coach, Maddi Cook of Boss Your Salon, shares top tips to elevate your offerings and enhance your profits… I’ve seen a trend in a particular type of content and want to unpack it with you. I do this from the perspective of a pricing expert who, trust…
Read More
Salon in the Spotlight: K.M.Nails & Beauty, Wroughton
Having had dreams of entering the beauty industry for as long as she can remember, Kasey Beasley remembers watching nail art videos on YouTube and having her mum and sisters model for her practice. “I knew I had to do this as a career,” she shares. “When I left school…
Read More
Are your gloves protecting you against nail ingredients?
In a previous blog for Scratch, we explored what gloves are needed for nail technicians and covered thickness and how often these need to be changed. In this blog, we delve deeper into chemical permeability and how to know if your gloves protect you against the chemicals which you use…
Read More
How to successfully edit your nail photos
In a previous blog, I shared 5 top tips on improving your nail photos. In this post, I am going to share more about editing your nail photos. Editing images these days, including nail images is a controversial topic. Your nail images should show the quality and truth of your…
Read More
Shear Haven anti-domestic violence salon training celebrates two-year anniversary of UK&I launch
Shear Haven anti-domestic violence salon training celebrates its two-year anniversary since its official launch in the UK & Ireland. Training salons, stylists and therapists in over 100 countries around the world, Shear Haven training has been accessed over 92,000 times by professionals since its launch in 2021. Co-founded by salon…
Read More
Read the latest issue
