Salon in the Spotlight: The Village Retreat, County Durham
In 2018, Ashley Wilson purchased a neglected convenience store to renovate into her own salon, taking on a big job to extend the property and adding walls to create separate rooms. “I was pregnant with my first baby at the time of purchase, however this didn’t stop me getting involved…
TECH TALK: Meet Sarah Kay Abbott, Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year
Kirkaldy-based nail stylist, Sarah Kay Abbott, scooped the Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year title at the Scratch Stars Party 20/21 owing to her passion for the craft, incredible artistic skills and keen focus on client care. “I wasn’t initially going to apply, but I saw it…
Salon in the Spotlight: Gels by Lucy, Hartlepool
Halo VIP Lucy Woodward works from a cabin in her home, valuing the privacy the space affords her and her clients. “I work alone in my space which I love, I manage my own appointments and have no one to rely on,” she explains. “My clients know anything they say…
How to effectively teach nail salon clients about aftercare
Customer education is critical to maintaining a successful nail and beauty business. Sharing aftercare and other maintenance tips can be difficult, especially if you’re back-to-back with clients or want to avoid sounding pushy. However, the service doesn’t end at the nail desk. Following the correct aftercare can be as important…
NAIL TECH TALK: Jessica Smith of The Nail Club
Scratch chats to Jessica Smith of The Nail Club about growing up in a family of nail technicians and leaving an office job to pursue nails full time… Coming from a family of nail technicians, I have grown up watching my mum and auntie create such beautiful sets of nails.…
Are you considering becoming a cashless salon? Read this…
Kishon Mather, finance director at the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF), shares points to note if you’re considering becoming a cashless nail or beauty business… Have you ever thought about going cashless in your business? It’s been a hot topic for a while as cashless payments may help to…
Salon in the Spotlight: Dolled Up, Suffolk
Dolled Up was established in 2013 by salon owner, Emma Hayes, who took the plunge into the beauty world after being encouraged by her friends. She’d been painting their nails in her spare time, around looking after her two young children, and they recognised her natural skill. “My assistant, Kate…
Sausage trees? Placenta? Snail slime? Just a few of the wonderfully weird ingredients in your skincare products
There are some wild nail and beauty products on the market that host a wonder of unusual ingredients. So sit back, embrace the weirdness, and ask yourself: how far would you go for beauty? The Nimue Anti-Aging Hand Cream contains 20% Kigelia Africana. Never heard of it? Us neither – until…
NAIL TECH TALK: Kimberley Sargent of Nail’d By Kimberley
Scratch chats to Kimberley Sargent of Nail’d By Kimberley about her journey into the nail industry and the importance of always improving your skills… During the first lockdown, I became obsessed with watching nail art tutorials on YouTube and TikTok, whilst always keeping up with the latest trends. I set…
3 nail artists, 1 city, an ethical working code & abundance of creativity – all blend to serve up Supernatural Nails
A former graphic designer and illustrator, Lucy Allen based in the Kelham Island district of Sheffield, has moved her creative focus onto nails as the owner of Supernatural Nails, having trained as a nail tech three years ago. Opening her nail salon to address concerns she was having on issues…
My experience of Salon System’s dual lash & brow lift system
To celebrate the launch of Salon System‘s new dual treatment lash & brow lift system, I headed to 58 South Molton Street in London to experience a brow lamination myself. With the brow lamination and lash lift becoming increasingly popular with customers, Salon System has created a two in one…
Salon in the Spotlight: Pinks Nail & Beauty Salon, Kingsbury
After working at Pinks Nail & Beauty Salon since 2015, Kate Szabo was given the opportunity to purchase the salon from its previous owner in 2019. “At Pinks, we focus on delivering the highest standard of service, focusing on customising treatments for our customers needs,” Kate explains. “Our whole team…
Is it ever OK to mix nail brands?
You’ve probably heard that you aren’t supposed to mix nail brands – as in, a powder from one brand and the liquid from another or one gel polish base from one brand and the colour from another. But does it really make a difference or is it just an overcautious…
Meet the creative director of Skullen Collective, a nail brand with an edge
Scratch talks to Nicole Gutierrez-Lock of Skullen Collective about her exciting nail product line… Nicole launched her nail business Skullen Collective in 2013 to enable her to have an effective work life balance. She holds the role of lead artist and creative director at Skullen Collective, based in Newcastle upon…
Nail painting workshop helps teach Aussie schoolboys about toxic masculinity
Tomorrow Man, which facilitates workshops to break male stereotypes and support Australian men, has encouraged boys to see that painted nails are just that – painted nails – rather than a display of femininity. Within one workshop to ‘disrupt stereotypes and build emotional muscle’, Tomorrow Man’s Josh Ward urged schoolboys…
