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#NowTrending: Stunning smoky amethyst nails by Natasha Barker

By Callie Iley | 17 November 2020

Scratch chats with Natasha Barker of Niche Nail Beauty about her passion for education and love for the nail industry, and explores how she created this dazzling amethyst design… I’ve been in the nail industry since 2002. My career  started when I took the CND™ Liquid & Powder Beginner course…

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Back To Basics: 3 steps to ensure your gel polish goes the distance

By Guest Writer | 16 November 2020

At Pure Nails, we think that Lockdown 2.0 is the perfect time to go back to basics and perfect your core skills; namely how ensure a chip-free, durable finish. Step 1: Preparation Cuticle work: This step is vital in the application of flawless gel polish. Gently push back the cuticle…

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TECH TALK: Natasha Newton of Nails by Natasha

By Callie Iley | 14 November 2020

Scratch catches up with Natasha Newton of Nails by Natasha about her achievements since featuring in January 2020’s Readers Gallery and what the future holds for her career.   What is it about nails that has you hooked? I’ve always enjoyed playing around with nails from a young age. It…

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Beauty2trs Spices Up Colour Theory

By Alex Fox | 12 November 2020

The latest course to be on offer with Beauty2trs is Color Your Nail Art by Nancy Janssen. “Colour is a power, which directly influences the soul of every nail artist and all nail art work,” comments Nancy. “Even the most simple looking nail art can look incredible with the right…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The One Nail Bar, Malvern, Worcestershire

By Kat Hill | 11 November 2020

Opening its doors in August after coming out of the first lockdown, The One Nail Bar is sunny salon offering a bright spot in its local area. “We acquired the premises a couple of days before the lockdown in March,” explain owners, Wai Lok Cham and Le Mi Pham. “It’s been…

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Nail tech & male client support British Legion with Remembrance Day nails

By Chloe Randall | 11 November 2020

Tracie Lawson, of Beauty Boutique, Wiltshire, explains how her salon plays its part in raising money for the British Legion for Remembrance Day, and reveals more about her male client who requests nail art to commemorate the occasion… Remembrance Sunday is a time to wear a poppy with pride and…

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The nail business challenges I’ve faced throughout the Covid-19 pandemic

By Guest Writer | 11 November 2020

Hannah Garbett, MD & director of education at Staffordshire Nail Academy, shares an honest account of the business challenges faced during the coronavirus pandemic… Where on earth do I start? This year has been one of immense anxiety and stress along with sheer grit and determination. Our year started with…

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8 ways nail techs can keep motivated during lockdown 2.0

By Guest Writer | 11 November 2020

Tina Bell, head of education at Pure Nails, serves up key ways to keep your creativity flowing and spirits high during lockdown 2.0… Here we are, back in lockdown. Once again, I have packed up my salon, moved my nail desk onto my dining room table and taken over whole…

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#NOWTRENDING Tortie hearts by Vanessa Armitage

By Callie Iley | 10 November 2020

Scratch chats with Vanessa Armitage of Nailicious by Vanessa about her love for all things nails and her hopes for the future – and she reveals how to create a tortoiseshell design… I work from home in my tiny little salon. I decided to take the leap into working and…

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How to reduce energy bills in the nail salon

By Alex Fox | 7 November 2020

  New small business research has revealed five simple actions that owners in the hospitality sector can take to get control of their energy bills during this difficult time.   A study of UK businesses employing less than 10 people showed that less than half of small business premises have…

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TECH TALK: Khristie Marie Lawton of KIKI Nail Bar

By Callie Iley | 7 November 2020

Scratch chats with Khristie Marie Lawton of KIKI Nail Bar about her future aspirations and her love for all things nails… What is it about nails that has you hooked? I love the untapped potential that the nail industry offers – the creativity, career progression, and of course the skills…

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5 ways to boost your nail business during lockdown 2.0

By Katie Barnes | 6 November 2020

As business owners and busy professionals, time is something we often have very little of and many tasks get put on the back burner. It can be hard to be motivated in times like this but it is important to remember that just as there are real challenges, there are…

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NAIL NOTES & QUOTES by nail artist, Hemi Park

By Alex Fox | 6 November 2020

As I write this blog for Scratch, I’m in the air somewhere above the Pacific Ocean flying back home to California from South Korea. I’ve just spent over two months in its capital Seoul, working with Andrea Park of Nailholic magazine and Nailpro Competitions ASIA-Korea. There’s about 40 passengers on…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Lucy, Tilehurst, Reading 

By Kat Hill | 4 November 2020

“I qualified as a nail technician just before lockdown in March which could be seen as bad timing, however, I ensured I made the most of my time by creating my home salon,” states Lucy White. “I wanted to create something unique and to make my clients feel they were still…

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Industry Brands Addressing Planet Pollution

By Alex Fox | 3 November 2020

Plastic Pollution with a Solution By the year 2050 there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the sea. Production of recycled resin uses 85% less energy and emits 75% fewer greenhouse gasses than the production of virgin resin. The Kevin Murphy haircare range uses Ocean Waste Plastic…

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