Inspirational nail tech, Maya Velkova tells of her will to succeed while living with a lifelong disability that could have held her back
‘Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons’. That sounds great doesn’t it! Yet how does, ‘be a pigeon in a flock of flamingos‘, sound? From my perspective, when being a pigeon one can create great inner strength. In each and every one of us there is some weakness, which…
Are you holding your nail file correctly? Find out here…
Although filing the natural nail shape may seem like it’s as simple as using a back-and-forth motion, the truth is there’s much more to it. The way in which you hold your nail file when filing the natural nail or enhancements is critical for the desired results and shape. Start…
Is it OK to not want to chat at the salon?
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…
Keeping it in the family: The day my little sister showed us her hidden nail talent
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…
#NowTrending: Funky French nails by Jen Phillips
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…
Behind the Brand: Meet the founder of The Nail Pen
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…
NAIL TECH TALK: Kirsty Williams of La Belle Dame Salon
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…
May the fox be with you: 20-minute Chroma Ink masterclass with Sam Biddle exclusively created for Scratch
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…
Reopening: Maddie Regan reflects on lockdown
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…
Behind the Brand: Meet the founder of Glitzy Tips
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…
Money Matters: How to protect your nail business & plan recovery
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…
NAIL TECH TALK: Delia Turville, Scratch Stars finalist 20/21
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…
Salon in the Spotlight: Bangs London
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…
NAIL TECH TALK: Andreea Simona Ignat, Scratch Stars finalist 20/21
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…
8 ways to tackle nail industry bullying
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…
