Covid career changes: Retraining as a nail tech after losing my job
Samantha Haste’s life was turned upside down when the pandemic hit and she lost her job, shortly after moving to a new city. Unable to pay her bills and rent, she decided to head down the path of training as a nail tech with Beauty Tribe. “I was working as…
Industry Issue – Life as a Left-Handed Tech
Scratch talks to left-handed techs to gain a perspective on what challenges they face when working as a nail professional We live in a right-handed world. This is born from 90% of the population being right-handed, while the other 10%, known as southpaws or left-handed, must grin and bear it…
How to care for dry hands
With a firm focus on hand hygiene during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, are you hands dry from the repeated washing? Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist & British Skin Foundation spokesperson, shares her advice for easing dryness… Repeated cleansing and use of alcohol gel has resulted in nearly all of my…
How to file 5 different nail shapes for your clients
Educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to file various nail shapes for your client… When filing nail shapes on enhancements, it is important to remember that the way your form is fitted and how you build the product is paramount for the correct shape and longevity of the…
Here’s your 10-point beauty business plan for 2021
Ria-Jaine Lincoln, an accountant that specialises in helping beauty businesses, shades 10 points to consider to help navigate challenges in 2021 and aim for success… The start of a new year is usually the time when people focus on their business and personal goals. Many speak of starting new diet…
Are UV & LED nail lamps safe?
Globally renowned scientist and nail expert, Doug Schoon, explores the safety concerns surrounding UV nail lamps… The facts that I will outline below demonstrate that UV curing nail lamps are safe, despite attacks by the misinformed media, fear-mongers and TV celebrity doctors. This controversy started in 2009 when two dermatologists…
Keen to enhance nail skills at home? Check out Edu-Mats
Learn one stroke, fine line, mixed media skills and more with an exciting nail training innovation from Derbyshire tech, Melanie Lewendon. The celebrated educator and Scratch Stars 2020/21 finalist has created a series of ‘Edu-Mats’ packages, which each include access to an in-depth, online course and a reusable practise mat…
Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Rosie, Cumbria
Having worked both on a mobile basis and at her kitchen table for the last 10 years, Rosie Doran sought a more permanent basis for her nail business. “When the first lockdown happened, my husband suggested that we use the time wisely and build a summerhouse: a place for my…
It Shouldn’t Happen to a Tech: Client Trials
Scratch uncovers the things that should never be said to a nail professional… Prepare to hide behind your hands, as KAT HILL gathers up the cringe-worthy comments clients have said before, during and after their nail service “Can you squeeze me in for a mani, pedi, brows and lash lift…
5 ways to improve your online nail & beauty tutorials
You don’t have to be a teacher to create tutorials for your customers. There are two kinds of tutorials: short ‘how to at home’ demonstrations for consumers and more in depth, factual lessons for professionally trained techs, taught by qualified teachers. They serve different purposes and offer different results. Owing…
From stage to salon..training as a nail tech during covid-19
Jody Zimmerman decided to train as a nail tech when the global pandemic hit, affecting her career in the arts as a musical theatre performer. She explains how she came to the decision to retrain and how she has found the industry so far… “Training as a nail technician is…
#NowTrending: Pastel Care Bears by Stacey Machin
Scratch chats to Stacey Machin of Painted by Stacey about her life as a new nail tech, and how she created this pretty pastel Care Bears design. I qualified as a nail tech in September 2020, and got my certificate in gel polish before the lockdown of the same year.…
How-to: Halo PoliBuild overlay on tips
The team at Pure Nails reveal more about Halo’s PoliBuild and how to apply over tips to add strength and length… Many of you loved our Halo Polibuild overlay on natural nails how-to and wanted to know the application process for for Polibuild on tips, so here it is! Step 1: Prep…
Press-on nails: How & why you should create them during lockdown
The first UK lockdown saw nail professionals turn to a variety of means to generate cash flow, including creating press-on nails for clients & sending by post. Thanh Vu, managing director of four Dream Nails salons, reveals points to consider if you’re thinking of turning to press-ons during lockdown… Press…
#NowTrending: Opulent opals by Ashlie Sellers
Scratch chats to Ashlie Sellers of Lacquer Love about her future plans and how she created this dreamy opal design. I am a very new nail tech, having only been qualified since December 2019. I had previously attended art school and have a passion for the structure created with…
