Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail Shed, Manchester
In 2007, Sarra Birrell set up her salon in Cheshire, establishing a thriving nail and beauty business. However, lockdown had a negative impact on her business. “I took the very difficult decision to close after 14 years. As sad as it was, there was a silver lining – I had…
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3D augmented reality nails: The future of nail styling?
The newest technical innovation to impact the nail world is likely to astound – mainly because it doesn’t physically exist. We’re talking about the augmented reality (AR) manicure: technology that superimposes a hyperrealist, digital image onto a user’s real-world view of their nail. Augmented reality artist, Piper ZY, created an…
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My experience of Academy2 for nail training
Leeds-based salon owner, Laura Costello, shares her Academy2 learning journey as she gets to grips with the CND PLEXIGEL system… RagDoll Nails owner, Laura Costello, has always been a fan of the CND™ brand. Her foray into the nail world kicked off with the CND™ Complete course in 2013, courtesy…
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WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap January 2022
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Barbara Szollosi. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for December & created nail designs inspired by ‘Crystals & Gemstones’ in the bid to win a prize from Bohoadora. Judged by Scratch‘s news &…
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NAIL TECH TALK: Kerrie Louise of Nzuri Nails & Training Academy
Scratch chats to Kerrie Louise of Nzuri Nails & Training Academy about the importance of investing in training and finding your inspiration… I love being a part of a client’s nail transformation journey. Going from a simple starting point to achieving their ultimate nail goals. I love helping them to…
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Struggling to complete your list of business tasks? Here’s how automation can help
Alicia Humphreys, owner of AH Virtual Assistant Services, which offers businesses administrative support, social media, email and blog management, customer service and training, serves up tips for managing your time using automation… Let’s be honest, time management isn’t the sexiest topic to talk about when it comes to business. But…
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Struggling to juggle all your roles in the salon? Here’s some advice…
Maddie Regan of 81 Rose Garden shares advice on how to effectively manage a busy salon… Working in a busy salon can be challenging at times. There are many roles to juggle and many things that need your attention but you must keep on top of customer service. Without clients, there…
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Salon in the Spotlight: The Painted Nail, Dorset
Toni Rodway started her nail career in 2003 after offering to be a model for a friend doing a local nail course. She then attended the course herself, convinced the salon owner to take her on as an apprentice and eventually took over managing the salon. “I decided to move…
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All about ASHE London, the vegan nail varnish subscription service
Nail tech turned lawyer, Ashleigh Alli, is the mind behind the UK’s first vegan nail varnish subscription, ASHE London, aimed at those who lead busy lives but still want to treat themselves to a slice of luxury. While cleaning and making cups of tea in a nail salon part-time from…
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NAIL TECH TALK: Lucy Greenman of Nails by Lucy Greenman
Scratch chats to Lucy Greenman of Nails by Lucy Greenman about the importance of hard work and her future career goals… Everything about nails has me hooked! I think my favourite thing about nails is how much personality these tiny designs can hold. There’s nothing better than a client telling…
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Marian Newman reflects on 12 months of the NailKnowledge programme
Marian Newman BEM, expert educator at NailKnowledge, reflects on progress and news from the first year of the programme… “On 20 January 2021, the NailKnowledge went live online, following nearly two years of hard work. The team behind it had spent time not only deciding the content and the format,…
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Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Jess Hales, Bures, Essex
In June 2021, Jessica Hales set up her beauty room within a salon in a village in Essex, giving up her full-time job as a beauty therapist to pursue her own business alone. “A lot of people questioned my choice of starting my own business during the pandemic, but for…
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Is teaching nail courses the next step for you?
Have you changed your career focus since the start of the pandemic? Something you may have started, already be toying with, or not yet even considered, is education. Teaching is not for everyone. It takes a very specific skill set to teach. Being exceptional at the subject in hand, does…
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Beauty B Corps form coalition to improve sustainability standards of industry
26 certified B Corporations within the beauty industry have teamed together to form the B Corp Beauty Coalition, with the aim of improving social and environmental practices of the industry. Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are businesses that balance purpose with profit. They are legally required to consider the…
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Salon in the Spotlight: Bennett Beauty, Reading
Stacey Bennett has been a nail technician and beauty therapist since 2006, working in several different salons and spas throughout her time in the industry. “I decided to venture out on my own finally after all the years I’ve been doing nails. I’m extremely lucky that I have a loyal…
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