8 ways to reduce foot swelling during pregnancy

By Emma Hobday | 30 October 2021

It’s completely normal to experience some swelling in pregnancy, particularly in your legs, ankles, feet and fingers, which can often be worse at the end of the day. Why does it happen? Your growing uterus can interrupt blood flow and cause more fluid to stay in your leg veins, with the extra…

UK Black History Month: Honour nail styles & pros

By Chloe Randall | 30 October 2021

Scratch recognises and honours the UK’s Black History Month by celebrating the work & styles of black nail professionals across the UK and learning more about how black culture has helped shape nail trends today… L&P acrylic nails Although L&P acrylic nails isn’t an invention born exclusively from the black…

NAIL TECH TALK: Victoria Nichol of Victoria Nichol Nails

By Callie Iley | 30 October 2021

Scratch chats to Victoria Nichol of Victoria Nichol Nails about the importance of self belief and making progress in her work… “I love that I can create something from nothing. Everything from shaping, filing, colour and the final design – the whole process is incredibly satisfying for me. “There is…

First ‘Carbon Neutral Salon Certification’ announced in North America

By Rebecca Hitchon | 29 October 2021

Green Circle Salons, a North American beauty waste recovery service and the world’s first sustainable salon solution, has announced the first Carbon Neutral Salon Certification. The firm helps the North American salon industry to reduce its environmental footprint, with Green Circle Salons members empowered to recover up to 95% of…

Behind the Brand: Explore why sanitiser company, Kindr, stands out

By Chloe Randall | 28 October 2021

Kate Thompson decided to create her own range of alcohol-free, Covid-19 effective sanitisers after suffering all her life with dry, sensitive skin. “The start of the pandemic left my hands cracked and painful with the overuse of alcohol-based sanitisers. My youngest daughter also has sensitive skin and I had noticed…

Bristol nail tech battling breast cancer bravely shares her treatment story

By Rebecca Hitchon | 27 October 2021

Every October, Bristol based nail tech, Danni Moore, has marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month by painting her nails pink. But this year is different, as she is battling breast cancer. After a lump that Danni thought was caused by breastfeeding was diagnosed as cancer on 1 July 2021, the nail…

Salon in the Spotlight: Kelly’s Beauty Box, Crawley, West Sussex

By Callie Iley | 27 October 2021

Established in 2016 by Kelly Crawley, Kelly’s Beauty Box outgrew its roots as a home salon and expanded into a new premises in May 2021. “Opening our new premises has been very exciting for us. Our aim is to provide the most relaxing and friendly service to all our clients…

Revealed: 7 top tips for becoming a mobile nail tech

By Chloe Randall | 26 October 2021

Transitioning from working in a salon or home based setup to a mobile mani lifestyle isn’t just as easy as popping in your car and getting on the road. From having to carry around your kit bag to managing your own finances and ensuring you have the correct insurance, there…

Hermès, Louboutin, Dior & more: The high-fashion brands putting their name to nail polish lines

By Lilly Delmage | 25 October 2021

Scratch puts the spotlight on the high fashion brands dipping their fingers and toes into nail colour lines… Hermès Birkin owners can match their manis to their handbags, as Hermès has become the latest luxury brand to serve up a nail line. Les Mains Hermès launched on 15 October 2021…

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap October 2021

By Chloe Randall | 25 October 2021

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Alana Lawson.  In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for October & created nail designs inspired by ‘Halloween’ in the bid to win a prize from SNA Professional.  Judged by Scratch‘s news & features…

Sustainable Beauty Coalition calls for salons to commit to reducing emissions

By Rebecca Hitchon | 23 October 2021

The Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC), formed by the British Beauty Council in July 2021, has written an open letter calling for hair and beauty salons to commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The SBC exists to develop a clear strategy, roadmap and initiatives, which will accelerate the sustainability efforts…

How nail art saved my mental health: Bridgend nail tech opens up about her battle

By Emma Hobday | 22 October 2021

Dani Bailey of Broadlands, Bridgend, has suffered with anxiety and depression since she was a teenager. She has always managed it relatively well through exercise, which came naturally to her in her previous role as a personal trainer, but a pitfall in 2018 saw some struggles present themselves. “I started…

Nail tech creates education subscription site to support learning needs of pros

By Rebecca Hitchon | 22 October 2021

Scratch chats to Chloe Corbishley-Bull, nail artist and founder of education subscription platform Pretty Little You Academy, about her membership service and its benefits for fellow pros… For Chloe, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, the time that coronavirus lockdowns brought was a chance to revaluate her nail career. The nail artist, who spent…

Behind the Brand: Meet the girl power behind salon bookings app, PamperBook

By Chloe Randall | 22 October 2021

Founded by Jody Riley, PamperBook is a booking app for salons and freelancers which works as your pocket PA, meaning you can manage your client bookings from anywhere and at any time. Jody, a former salon owner, created the app after she found herself wasting hours of her day organising…

Lessons from a beauty PR pro: How to get your business noticed

By Guest Writer | 20 October 2021

Alex Silver, founder of beauty PR agency, Alex Silver PR, has been working in public relations for 25 years. She has helped brands including Beauty Blender, Caudalie, KISS Nails & Lashes and Fake Bake make their mark and is renowned for high-profile campaigns, charity events, celebrity ambassadorships and red-carpet parties.…