The beauty hive salon in the spotlight

Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Hive with Sophie & Katie, Littleborough

By Callie Iley | 22 June 2023

Upon finding the perfect space to set up her own salon, Sophie O’sullivan approached former colleague, Katie Woodworth to create The Beauty Hive with Sophie & Katie, a clean yet comfortable salon space in Greater Manchester. “I qualified in VTCT Level 3 in Nail Technology in 2017 and completed my…

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Annual leave & the nail professional – do you take enough?

By Chloe Randall | 22 June 2023

A recent analysis by Simply Business and Mental Health At Work, a programme curated by mental health charity Mind to support workplace mental health, revealed that 73% of SME owners take fewer than 20 days of annual leave per year. In addition, over half of SME owners (56%) say they have experienced poor…

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Mindfulness

How to incorporate mindfulness into your beauty services

By Guest Writer | 21 June 2023

Salon System educator, Lisa Stone, who achieved a meditation qualification after using the practice to support her mental health, shares how mindfulness techniques can be used in your beauty business… We can spend so much time and money on ensuring our outward appearances look and feel great, that we forget…

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Scratch snap june 2023 winner

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap June 2023

By Callie Iley | 19 June 2023

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Samantha Outten. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for June & created nail designs inspired by ‘Fruit Salad’ in the bid to win a prize from Pure Nails. Judged by Scratch‘s copywriter, Callie Iley, and Pure…

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Nail Tech Talk: Cherie Whitlock of Ma Cherie

By Callie Iley | 17 June 2023

With dreams of one day owning her own luxury nail salon, Cherie Whitlock of Ma Cherie shares her next steps in her career & reveals what she loves most about being a nail tech… Cherie’s creative streak instantly attracted her to the industry, led by a lifetime of talent and…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Elle Belle’s Beauty Studio, Norfolk

By Carter Rogers | 15 June 2023

Enrolling in her first of many beauty courses in 2010, Kay Willmott opened her salon, Elle Belle’s Beauty Studio, in 2017, named after her daughter. With ten members of staff in the salon, including herself, as a beauty therapist and laser technician; salon manager, nail tech and masseuse, Rosie Jo;…

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Liz mckeons management training programme elevate your management and leadership skills

Elevate your management & leadership skills with Liz McKeon’s Management Training Programme

By Callie Iley | 15 June 2023

Beauty business expert and founder of the International Salon Business School, Liz McKeon, has announced the return of her Management Training Programme: Elevate Your Management and Leadership Skills, taking place in August 2023. Providing attendees with practical and easy-to-implement, business strategies and people management communication skills, the course covers a…

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Behind the Brand: Meet the best friend duo behind Lovelle Salon Wear

By Callie Iley | 12 June 2023

Fashion-forward beauty therapist best friends, Nikki Hutchings & Sonia Ghag, designed a range of salon wear to suit the modern beauty pro without compromising on style or comfort. Beauty therapist duo, Nikki Hutchings and Sonia Ghag, met when their children started at school together. With both having an interest in…

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Brushonlux feature

Luxury without a high price tag? Check out Brush On Luxe gel polishes & builder gels

By Carter Rogers | 12 June 2023

In just three years, Brittany Thwaites has grown her business from a modest home setup to a luxury salon space in the centre of Harrogate. Specialising in gel polish services, it was a regular client who, at an appointment last July, ignited a curiosity in Brittany; to create her own…

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Nail Tech Talk: Jasmine Wilson of Jazzy AF Nails 

By Callie Iley | 10 June 2023

Achieving award-winning success after only a year in the nail industry, Jasmine Wilson of Jazzy AF Nails shares her love for channelling mindful creativity through her bright & bold, psychedelic nail styles. Jazz was hired as an apprentice in a local salon in Paisley in June 2022, taking her first…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Kaitlyn Jay Studio, Newport, Wales 

By Callie Iley | 8 June 2023

Wanting her Newport-based salon decor to reflect her own personal style, natural nail tech, Kaitlyn Jay, opted for an on-trend, neutral colour scheme. “I love the minimal vibe,” Kaitlyn beams. “It’s not necessarily outwardly unique, but it’s a total reflection of me, and I love it.” “The theme in my…

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What is the cuticle & how much can be safely removed in a manicure?

By Katie Barnes | 6 June 2023

Possibly one of the most debated and controversial topics in the industry, following allergies right now, is the cuticle. What is it, what is living and non-living, and what and how much can safely be removed? It can be confusing to know the difference between the terminology you hear including…

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Nail Tech Talk: Jo Paylor of The Beauty Garage

By Callie Iley | 3 June 2023

As a long-time beauty lover, Joanna Paylor of The Beauty Garage was instantly drawn to pursuing a career in the industry. “I never really enjoyed school much and couldn’t wait to get to college and do something practical and creative on my own terms,” Jo explains. “I love being able…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Polish It Up MCR, Manchester

By Callie Iley | 1 June 2023

Prioritising a personalised, one-to-one client experience, Manchester-based tech, Jess Walford notes how working alone allows her to cater her treatment offerings to each individual client. “I’m very lucky to say a lot of my clients have been coming to me for a few years and have become lovely friends, which…

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Nail Tech Talk: Hannah Smith of Hannah Smith Essex Nail Artist 

By Callie Iley | 27 May 2023

Having always enjoyed art and beauty, character nail artist, Hannah Smith of Hannah Smith Essex Nail Artist was quickly drawn to the nail industry, wanting to use her two passions to create a career for herself. “The nail industry not only allows me to be creative every day, but it…

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