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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

How nail & beauty pros can use Pinterest to boost their business

By Chloe Randall | 5 September 2023

According to social media management site, Combin, 76% of Pinterest users are women, with females aged 25 to 34 dominating the platform. The Scratch Nail Industry Survey 2022 revealed that this age range makes up the majority of nail clients, so embrace your target audience by understanding the social media…

Nail Tech Talk: Meet Kamila Borowiec, Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year 2023

By Rebecca Hitchon | 5 September 2023

Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year 2023 & runner-up in the first-ever World’s Star Nail Artist (WSNA) competition, Kamila Borowiec, shares her industry journey, future goals and experience of juggling both competitions… After Kamila’s nail technician moved to another country, she struggled to find the same quality…

Threads: Is it here to stay?

By Callie Iley | 3 September 2023

Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, reported over five million sign-ups to Threads in the first four hours of its launch. Scratch explores whether the social media platform is here to stay & its benefits for nail pros…   On 5 July, microblogging platform, Threads, made its presence known in the social…

Nail Tech Talk: Meet Joanna Tompkins, Scratch Stars’ Nail Business Mentor Award winner 2023

By Carter Rogers | 3 September 2023

Meet Scratch Stars’ winner of the Nail Business Mentor Award 2023, Joanna Tompkins of Nail Tech Tribe, as she shares insight to her career journey and reveals details from her competition process…  “10 years ago, I was an admin assistant wanting more than anything to escape being tied to an…

Nail Tech Talk: Meet Sarah Rushworth of The Nail Shed, Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2023

By Callie Iley | 2 September 2023

Valuing offering clients a personalised, focused service due to her struggles with anxiety since the birth of her son, Sarah Rushworth of The Nail Shed, Bolton, details her nail journey & how it felt to win Home Nail Salon of the Year in the Scratch Stars Awards 2023… Working two…