#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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Sarah Astles, Wallasey Village, Wirral

By Kat Hill | 2 December 2020

After closing the doors to her high street salon during the first lockdown, Sarah Astles set about creating a new salon in her garden, ready to reopen in July. Now, Sarah works from a pretty pink cabin and hasn’t looked back. “My husband and I built the cabin ourselves, so…

How full coverage nail tips have grown my business

By Scratch Staff | 1 December 2020

Scratch chats to Millie Donovan, brand ambassador for SNA Professional & owner of MBeauty, about how the full coverage Quick Tips system has helped her business bloom. How have quick tips changed my business? I have been a nail tech for just under two years now and I first qualified…

#NowTrending: Stunning snakeskin nails by Shannon Rae Smyth

By Callie Iley | 1 December 2020

Scratch chats with Shannon Rae Smyth of Shannon Rae Nail Artist about her love for nails, as she explains how she created this striking snakeskin nail design…   I started doing nails as a hobby; having always had both an interest in, and a passion for nail design. I spent…

TECH TALK: Hannah Taylor of Hannah Taylor Beauty & Makeup

By Callie Iley | 28 November 2020

Scratch chats to Magpie Beauty brand ambassador, Hannah Taylor of Hannah Taylor Beauty & Makeup about her career and future goals. Tell us about your nail career so far… My name is Hannah, and I’m a nail tech, make-up artist and beauty therapist. I’ve been working in the industry since…

Power of the Flower for Nails & Wellbeing

By Alex Fox | 26 November 2020

Beverly Braisdell talks to industry colleague & friend Bev Higham – who she calls the ‘virtuoso of aromatherapy’. The Power of the Flower… Does Aromatherapy have a place in nail spas and can it be of benefit in the current climate? The answer is ‘Absolutely!’ With a career spanning over…

5 ways to improve your social media nail content

By Guest Writer | 25 November 2020

Anna Khanna, founder of Socialista Media, reveals ways nail techs can improve social media content… If we’ve learned anything from the last six months, it’s how technology can be – and has been – one of our biggest assets; in particular, social media. Since March, the beauty industry has been…

Salon in the Spotlight: Palm Salon and Spa, Cambridgeshire

By Kat Hill | 25 November 2020

Located in an old telephone exchange office, Palm Salon and Spa offers the residents of Melbourn in Cambridgeshire the ideal setup to escape day-to-day life with indulgent nail and beauty treatments. “I took over the Exchange back in February this year,” smiles owner, Francesca Roughan. “When I took it over, it…

Beauty Boss on… How to establish your online presence

By Guest Writer | 25 November 2020

Layla Tourh, MD of The Creative Beauty Group and founder of Beauty Boss HQ, an online platform dedicated to supporting beauty bosses in the running of their business, shares her top tips & words of wisdom… Have you got a presence in the social space? Being part of an over-saturated…