Sophie akerman web feature

Covid career changes: Why I decided to train as a nail tech during lockdown

By Guest Writer | 16 December 2020

Sophie Akerman decided to train as a nail technician during the Covid-19 pandemic after being forced to work from home gave her time to reflect on her career path. She shares with Scratch the highlights and the challenges of her nail journey so far. “I was fortunate enough to keep…

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#NowTrending: Green & gold cog nails by Charlotte Vizor

By Callie Iley | 15 December 2020

Scratch chats to Charlotte Vizor of Nailed it by Chaz about her love for being a nail tech, as she describes how to create this gorgeous green and gold design. Please detail your background in nails… “My nail career blossomed from a hobby. When I first started falling in love…

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TECH TALK: Rachel Willis of Rachel Willis Nails & Education

By Callie Iley | 12 December 2020

Scratch catches up with Rachel Willis of Rachel Willis Nails & Education about her journey through the nail world and her passion for teaching & learning… I have over 30 nail training certificates; including beginners’ manicure, to extreme nail shapes and nail art. My first course was an online L&P…

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How to deal with client complaints

By Kat Hill | 11 December 2020

Award-winning business owner & deputy chair & director of information at The Federation of Nail Professionals (The FNP), Sue Davies, shares her advice for dealing with client complaints… As professionals, we have a duty of care to our clients and they deserve the best service we can provide. When we have a service…

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How to deal with clients questioning your prices

By Kat Hill | 10 December 2020

Has a client quibbled your pricing? Or questioned an extra cost for additional artwork? Talking about money can sometimes feel awkward, but Rachel Gribble, Salon System educator, serves up some advice… “Nail art is an add-on to a standard treatment and can require further training and special equipment not only to learn the…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Megan’s Other Place, Ledbury

By Kat Hill | 9 December 2020

Specialising in creating bold and bright hair colours, Megan Long turned her attention to the world of nail design when she opened a new, second salon location. Megan’s journey into the world of hair and beauty started with Megan’s Place, a studio offering specialist hair colouring and hair treatments. In…

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What to look for when choosing a reputable business awards to enter

By Katie Barnes | 8 December 2020

Winning an award is an excellent marketing opportunity. It boosts morale, raises the profile of your business and highlights and recognises your expertise. When contemplating entering an award, you firstly need to consider whether you want to increase your recognition locally or nationally. These both have genuine and mock awards,…

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Claire Blincoe on her love of nail training & Gelish products

By Kat Hill | 8 December 2020

Claire Blincoe, of Magic Manicures & Magic Manicures Training, shares her career journey so far and why she loves her role as a mobile nail technician and educator with the Georgie Smedley Group… Tell us about your career so far… I started working in training almost 30 years ago as a NVQ…

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#NowTrending: Mystical mushrooms by Kim Colclough

By Callie Iley | 8 December 2020

Scratch chats with Kim Colclough of Studio K Waxing & Beauty about her entry into the nail industry & the inspiration behind this psychedelic design… I’ve had an interest in nails since the age of 14 years old, when I dabbled with corner flick nail art. I went to college…

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Rachel lunn web feature

Rachel Lunn on… launching a nail academy during lockdown

By Guest Writer | 7 December 2020

Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2019, Rachel Lunn launched training centre during lockdown called The Nailroom- Rachel Lunn Nails and Training. Here, she shares her experience of launching during a difficult time and the inspiration behind going independently… I think like many nail technicians and salon owners, lockdown gave…

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TECH TALK: Isadora Borges Sá of Caliente Nails

By Callie Iley | 5 December 2020

Scratch chats with Isadora Borges Sá of Caliente Nails, based in Porto District, Portugal, about her passion for her nail business and her inspiration sources when creating gorgeous nail art creations. What is it about nails that has you hooked? I really can’t believe how much nails have changed my life.…

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Tips for Retailers to Be Sustainable Over Xmas

By Alex Fox | 4 December 2020

Christmas is around the corner, and this year’s festivities look set to be more digital than traditional. With new lockdowns being implemented in the UK and beyond, the likelihood of people turning to online retailers for presents remains high. Traditional bricks-and-mortar shops accounted for £60.9 billion worth of sales in…

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Confused about what to charge for nail art? Tina Bell shares her tips…

By Guest Writer | 4 December 2020

Tina Bell, head of education for Pure Nails & owner of Totally Polished Academy, shares her advice on charging appropriately for nail art so you’re not out of pocket… Do you struggle to charge for nail art? Does the client always spring their request on you at the last minute…

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Dealing with grief: 6 ways to support bereaved employees

By Guest Writer | 3 December 2020

National Grief Awareness Week runs 2-8 December 2020 to raise awareness of the support needed by those suffering a bereavement. Rebecca Mian, head of HR at Benenden Health, shares advice on how employers can support employees going through the grieving process… Death is something most of us avoid thinking about…

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Points to consider if you’re a pregnant nail tech

By Helena Biggs | 2 December 2020

No two pregnancies are the same, and you may suffer with aches, pains or sickness worse than a colleague, so listen to your body and its needs around your working life. As part of health & safety procedures, business owners should conduct regular risk assessments; particularly reviewing them when a…

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