Quiet silent appointment

Is it OK to not want to chat at the salon?

By Kat Hill | 4 May 2021

As we ease back into life from the quiet of lockdown living and more clients – both new and old – return to the salon, have you considered their noise preference by offering silent or sensory-aware appointments? Many may be experiencing anxiety surrounding their appointment. While many salons enjoy a…

Read More
Jazz eliza smedley

Keeping it in the family: The day my little sister showed us her hidden nail talent

By Guest Writer | 4 May 2021

Lead image L-R: Mike & Jazz Christodoulou, Jason & Georgie Smedley, Eliza Smedley Many of you may be familiar with Jazz Christodoulou; general manager of GS Group Ltd, award-winning nail tech and protegé of Georgie Smedley. Georgie just so happens to be her mother – a hugely successfully tech, educator…

Read More
Jen funky french header pic

#NowTrending: Funky French nails by Jen Phillips

By Callie Iley | 4 May 2021

Scratch chats to Jen Phillips of Nails by Jennifer Marie about her love for nails and how she created this funky French design… I am a fully qualified nail technician offering acrylic, builder gel and gel polish enhancements. I qualified in January 2020 in L&P acrylic and gel polish and…

Read More
The nail pen feature

Behind the Brand: Meet the founder of The Nail Pen

By Chloe Randall | 1 May 2021

Cuccio Educator, Becca Downham decided to launch her own range of cuticle oil pens when the first lockdown hit in 2020 and she found herself frustrated at not being able to work. “I wanted to try and grow my business even though I wasn’t able to physically do nails. That’s…

Read More
Kirsty williams header pic

NAIL TECH TALK: Kirsty Williams of La Belle Dame Salon

By Callie Iley | 1 May 2021

Scratch chats to Kirsty Williams about her tips for aspiring techs and her passion for nail art… What is it about nails that has you hooked? I only realised how much I loved nails when I found myself away from my salon, La Belle Dame, during the first lockdown. I…

Read More
Alex web newsfeature template 1200x800px (1)

May the fox be with you: 20-minute Chroma Ink masterclass with Sam Biddle exclusively created for Scratch

By Alex Fox | 30 April 2021

Nail artist Sam Biddle of Be Inspired has created a new, fresh & exclusive to Scratch 20-minute video masterclass on how to use the latest alcohol inks from Chroma Ink. (Scroll to the bottom of page for the video tutorial.) Watch here and see how quite simply by working step…

Read More
Maddie regan

Reopening: Maddie Regan reflects on lockdown

By Guest Writer | 29 April 2021

Scratch columnist & top tech at 81 Rose Garden, Maddie Regan, reflects on her experience of lockdown & her return to work… With hair and beauty salons officially open again, I thought I would take some time to reflect on some of my highs and lows during the past 12 months…

Read More
Glitzy tips

Behind the Brand: Meet the founder of Glitzy Tips

By Chloe Randall | 29 April 2021

Joanne Jones worked within the nail industry for 19 years as a salon owner and an educator before founding her own nail product range ‘Glitzy Tips’ in 2020. After previously working as a marketing professional before entering the nail industry, Joanne found herself fascinated by the way nail brands such…

Read More
Money beauty salon funds hands canva

Money Matters: How to protect your nail business & plan recovery

By Guest Writer | 29 April 2021

Ria-Jaine Lincoln, aka The Beauty Accountant, reveals how you can capitalise on a boom in clients and protect, enhance & manage your future wealth… Now the beauty industry has reopened, it can be easy to push bookkeeping and accounts to the side. However, you do not want to miss the…

Read More
Ssas21 delia turville

NAIL TECH TALK: Delia Turville, Scratch Stars finalist 20/21

By Lilly Delmage | 28 April 2021

Scratch learns more about Delia Turville, Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year finalist 20/21, about her path to becoming a nail tech, her proudest moments and how she feels about being a finalist… Delia Turville took an alternate path to the nail industry, balancing her time between…

Read More
Bangs london lead

Salon in the Spotlight: Bangs London

By Kat Hill | 28 April 2021

Keen to make its mark on Walthamstow, London, the team at Bangs London has implemented a number of sustainable practises. Offering hair and beauty appointments, the salon opened in September 2019. “We searched for he perfect space for almost half a year,” co-founders Danielle, Hannah & Shimol, explains. “We knew we wanted…

Read More
Andreea simona ignat finalist header

NAIL TECH TALK: Andreea Simona Ignat, Scratch Stars finalist 20/21

By Lilly Delmage | 28 April 2021

Scratch learns more about Andreea Simona Ignat, Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year & Nail Stylist of the Year finalist 20/21, about her pathway to success & the importance of nail competitions… What’s your training background & how has your career progressed? My career started in 2012. I first…

Read More
Nail on sunday

8 ways to tackle nail industry bullying

By Alex Fox | 27 April 2021

The truth behind a bully – an insight by UK nail tech Leo Ko-Nkengmo   by nail artist & educator, Leo Ko-Nkengmo of The Nail on Sunday blog  The hair and beauty industry has taken a beating this past year alongside other industries. The monotony of the pandemic is a…

Read More
Dream nails royal wharf header

Reopening: Thoughts on the first fortnight back in the salon

By Guest Writer | 26 April 2021

Thanh Vu, managing director of four Dream Nails salons, shares her experience back at work following lockdown 3.0 and draws in thoughts from an employee… As owner of four Dream Nails salons, I have become accustomed, due to Covid-19, to closing them with a few days’ notice and then needing to…

Read More
Scratch snap april winner

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap April

By Chloe Randall | 26 April 2021

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Dani Bailey.  In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for April & created nail designs inspired by ‘Movie Night’ in the bid to win a prize from OPI.  Judged by Scratch‘s news & features writer, Chloe…

Read More