Candy crush: Japan’s kawaii-styling on nails
A passion for Japanese fashion since childhood led Nana Sharp from Texas, USA, to explore the idea of taking this fashion onto fingertips. When no obvious outlet for obtaining a stylised individual set of gyaru-style nails became apparent, Nana posted a request on Facebook. Unsurprisingly, this led to a flurry…
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Winners of the Malaysian Momo Make-Up Comp
Scratch editor-in-chief, Alex Fox, was invited to join the judging panel for the Momo Make-Up Competition, hosted by Stephy Pang of the Momo Make-Up Academy in Malaysia. A make-up academy with a wide portfolio of courses for nails and make-up, Momo embraces and inspires creativity, innovative international techniques and professionalism…
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TECH TALK: Laura Ann Francis of Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty
Scratch chats to South Wales based Magpie educator, Laura Ann Francis, of Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty. I’m Laura Ann Francis, and I’m the South Wales educator for Magpie Beauty. I work & teach from my home salon, Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty. I’ve been in the industry since…
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How does cuticle oil work?
How does cuticle oil work? Three nail experts explain why oils are a must-have for aftercare & nail maintenance… To examine how this nail care product works, first you must look at its target: the nail plate and surrounding skin. “Oil and moisture can travel through the nail plate in…
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Online Education: Jacqui O’Sullivan on the pros and cons
Award-winning nail specialist and educator, Jacqui O’Sullivan shares her thoughts on online education in the nail industry and where the future is taking us in terms of learning. What are the pros and cons of online education vs face to face? To both the educator and the learner? At the…
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Salon in the Spotlight: Nova Nails, Glasgow, Scotland
After working in call centres for years, Jackie Logan wanted a change of career. “After three years of practise and training, I work up the courage to quit my job and start Nova Nails,” Jackie remembers. “I worked in a few places renting a table, but during the first lockdown…
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Ways to help prevent & monitor beauty product allergies | The Beauty Bloggers
The Beauty Bloggers, aka Natalie Thompson & Rachel Jenkinson, share their patch testing tips & advice on preventing allergies in the salon.. Nat and Rach are ‘The Beauty Bloggers‘ and have over 21 years experience in the beauty sector between them. Their aim is to discuss real issues that beauty…
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Behind The Brand: Meet the duo behind My Papillon Beauty
Scratch chats to Founders of My Papillon Beauty, Kelly Mcguinness and Claire Whittle who share how they came to start the brand and what goes on behind the scenes. After working together in a salon in 2019, Kelly Mcguinness and Claire Whittle had the idea of creating a range of…
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#NowTrending: Monochrome diamond nails by Laura Katy Chester
Scratch chats to Laura Katy Chester of LK Beauty about how she created this striking monochrome nail design. She also shares the small moments that make her proud of her career…. I qualified as a nail technician back in 2016 with Young Nails. After a couple of years in a…
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Covid-19 SALON TALK: How I have embraced govt business grants
Thanh Vu, managing director of four Dream Nails salons, shares how she has made the most of financial support from government – and navigated obstacles – during the coronavirus pandemic… Coronavirus brought unprecedented challenges to businesses and while it has presented numerous opportunities, financial prudence, financial planning and financial support has…
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WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap January
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Julia Armstrong. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for January & created nail designs inspired by ‘Purple Positivity’ in the bid to win a prize from Purple Professional. Judged by Scratch‘s…
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How to reassure clients about salon safety post-Covid-19
When salons in the UK re-open, many clients may be quick to book nail and beauty appointments. However, there will be some that are still cautious about returning to the salon for their regular services. Sam Marshall, of The Beauty Guru in Media City, Salford, has shared her thoughts on…
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TECH TALK: Mariola Sieczka of Holy Nails
Scratch chats to Mariola Sieczka of Holy Nails ! about her tips for new nail techs and the importance of constantly developing skills… I’m a Polish nail tech, wife, and mother and have been living in Scotland since 2014. I have always been interested in nails and am constantly trying…
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How to find a good work/life balance as a nail tech
Nicole Dowling, educator at Pure Nails, shares her advice for finding the balance between work life and personal life… Many of us constantly strive to work hard and prove our worth, and many have a willing to work more to earn more. The hardest part of the job is often…
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Online Education: Hazel Dixon on the future of nail learning
Award-winning nail artist and founder of HD Nail Artist Academy, Hazel Dixon, shares her thoughts on why online education isn’t suitable for every nail tech and what she predicts for the future of learning. Why isn’t online learning appropriate for all techniques/nail learning needs? Online learning is a great platform…
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