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5 nail hacks taking over TikTok

By Chloe Randall | 21 December 2021

From perfecting smile lines to styling swirls, TikTok users have been sharing their home ‘nail hacks’ to perfect their favourite nail looks. While we always recommend visiting a trained nail technician for optimum nail care and results, we’ve rounded up five of the #nailhacks on the platform, which has over 480…

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21 gift ideas for nail techs

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 December 2021

The Christmas countdown is on and the end is in sight – but we know that the same might not be said for your Christmas shopping. If you’re lacking in present ideas for your nail tech friends, family members, or even just want to treat yourself (you deserve it!) then…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Natalie Kirk of Nail Perfection by Natalie

By Callie Iley | 18 December 2021

Scratch chats to Natalie Kirk of Nail Perfection by Natalie about her nail journey and what she would like the industry to achieve in the future… I first started out in the nail industry in 2004 after my mum, who was working as a spa manager at the time, suggested…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Beautify Salon and Training Academy, Broadstairs, Kent

By Callie Iley | 15 December 2021

Dionne Lock’s journey began in March 2017, when she started her beauty training. “When I qualified, I was mobile to start with, then in September 2017, I opened my first beauty salon in the village that I live in. In 2019, I moved my salon to my home because the…

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Behind The Brand: Meet the duo behind The Cuticle Oil Company

By Rebecca Hitchon | 11 December 2021

The best ideas can come in the unlikeliest of places. For Lisbet Sandland and Carli Woolley, founders of The Cuticle Oil Company, it was on a wet and windy day in 2019, while waiting for their children in front of the school gates, that the idea for their business venture…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Natalia Hudson of The Secret Garden Quorn

By Callie Iley | 11 December 2021

Scratch chats to Natalia Hudson of The Secret Garden Quorn about how nails has helped her mental health and her daughter’s impact on her career… There is so much that I absolutely adore about nails. When you take a clients hand, the magic begins – not only to give them…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Lauren’s Nail Co., Broughton, Northamptonshire

By Callie Iley | 8 December 2021

Lauren Jackson took evening courses for a year at college, qualifying as a nail technician in 2012. “I began my career on a mobile basis, at first offering spray tans and nail appointments, before renting a room above a hairdressers in my village,” she recalls. “I finally decided to go…

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What to charge for your nail art services

By Katie Barnes | 7 December 2021

As well as experimenting with your creative skills, adding nail art to your services is an opportunity to increase your revenue – so make sure you are charging correctly for it. A question I come across at least once a day, is how much should I be charging for my…

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An inside look: How Academy2 can change up your nail education journey

By Helena Biggs | 6 December 2021

It’s been dubbed an ‘education epicentre’, combining online learning with in-classroom hours and masterclasses so you can learn nail skills – and more – at your own pace. Academy2 from award-winning nail & beauty training provider, Sweet Squared, is Habia accredited, and means that the company’s education programme is now…

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Major beauty brands sign up to circular economy initiative

By Rebecca Hitchon | 2 December 2021

Beauty brands including Elemis, Unilever and NAF! Salon have signed up to a circular economy initiative, launched by Jo Chidley, co-founder of natural and sustainable personal care brand Beauty Kitchen. The circular economy model, named Re, will aim to prevent more than 100 million bottles from going to landfill in…

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Salon in the Spotlight: GLOSS, Isle of Man

By Callie Iley | 1 December 2021

Jemma King and Rebekah Lockett are two sisters who decided to open up their own nail salon. “We opened our salon in our town centre of Douglas. We both nail technicians who have always dreamed of one day having our very own salon and finally, our dreams have come true,…

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WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap November 2021

By Emma Hobday | 30 November 2021

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Nicole Gutierrez. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for November & created nail designs inspired by ‘Sparkle & Shine’ in the bid to win a prize from The Gel Bottle.  Judged by Scratch‘s…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Aubrey Cycenas of The Glossy Spot

By Callie Iley | 27 November 2021

Scratch chats to Aubrey Cycenas of The Glossy Spot about challenging herself to create unique nail designs and the most exciting aspects of the industry… I’m a fully licensed cosmetologist, but I met my former mentor in hair school. She personally taught me the basics of nails, and I quickly…

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Have you ever had a client try to haggle your prices? Here’s what to do if it happens

By Emma Hobday | 25 November 2021

Negotiating prices. We’ve all been there – using vouchers at a restaurant, making use of Groupon deals, entering codes at checkout for online shopping – but asking for a discount at a nail salon can have a serious impact on business and should not be encouraged. Here Scratch chats to…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Tara Nails & Beauty, Brantham, Suffolk

By Callie Iley | 24 November 2021

Tara Smith decided to embark on her journey into the nail industry following the birth of her third child. “When I qualified and started out within the industry, it wasn’t easy. I was faced with a lot of negativity and wasn’t sure of where to look for help and support.…

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