A guide to the gel system: when & how to use & troubleshooting tips
Nail pros share insight on the gel system… When to use the gel system Theresa Foddering, Lecenté business development manager & Scratch Stars Shooting Star Award finalist 2025, adds: “If a client has weak or brittle nails that require extra support and strength, hard gel is a great option for enhancements.…
Read More
Brighton nail artist: mixed media allows me to create nail art with greater impact
Get to know Scratch Stars Mixed Media Artist of the Year finalist 2025, Sabre van Dijk, in an exclusive interview on her career journey and why she applied for the competition… Tell us about your nail journey… I’ve studied art for as long as I can remember: Photography at the University…
Read More
Award-winning nail tech: How I’ve found success despite suffering with fibromyalgia
Kirsty Brown is the owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling, Scotland, which is the Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 & a finalist for 2025. Here, she shares about her experiences with fibromyalgia… Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive difficulties. It can be…
Read More
Powys nail salon: where rustic charm meets luxury beauty treatments
Jodie Evans, owner of Wales salon, Nail Envy, speaks to Scratch about the journey of building her thriving nail business. “Nail Envy is designed to feel like a luxurious home-from-home, combining rustic charm with modern elegance,” says Jodie. “The interior features brickwork, warm wood tones and plush velvet chairs –…
Read More
LGBTQ+ tech & drag nail artist: the nail industry allows me to embrace my truest self
Birmingham-based nail artist, Anthony Lloyd, shares about his LGBTQ+ journey and the important role nail artistry has played in it… My journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community has been a positive and affirming one. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been raised in a supportive family environment, and…
Read More
I invited my salon team to create nails for Cannes Film Festival
The Nail & Beauty Lounge owner, Julie McCabe, takes us behind the scenes of her Cannes Film Festival experience, where she and her salon team delivered manicures and pedicures. The team at Poulton-le-Fylde-based salon, The Nail & Beauty Lounge, were called upon by owner, Julie McCabe, to provide the manicures and…
Read More
How to accommodate nail clients with multiple sclerosis (MS)
Nail techs share advice for catering to clients with multiple sclerosis (MS)… What is MS? On its website, the NHS states: “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. It’s a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be…
Read More
Leicester nail tech: My maternal mental health struggles led me to the beauty industry
Nail artist & educator, Mika John of Contours by Mika, shares how poor mental health has impacted her life, and the positive impact of tekking… I first realised I was struggling with my mental health about seven years ago while working in hospitality, but I didn’t take action at the…
Read More
Hampshire nail pro on maternal mental health struggles & pressure to be a perfect mum
Andover-based nail artist & educator, Jo Bennett, opens up about feeling her lowest after having twins… When I was a new mum, I struggled to focus, my mood dropped significantly and I had no motivation, whether to take my twins out, work or even wash my face. I also had…
Read More
Having a niche as a nail tech: is it important?
Whether your skills focus is natural nailcare, premium pedis or portrait painting, Scratch investigates the importance of identifying and capitalising on your expertise… What is a niche? ‘Niche’ is a business term used to describe a focused approach to offering goods and services, and tailoring them to a specific consumer…
Read More
The nail techs who went from online friends to podcast hosts
Nail techs, Rachel Coast and Evie Glows, started out as online friends within a nail tech community, and have since launched their podcast, The Nail Files. Describing the podcast as ‘relatable, uplifting and a way to facilitate connection’, the duo is passionate about entertaining nail techs with relatable and humorous…
Read More
My client’s nautical-themed manicure went viral on her cruise ship holiday
Manchester nail tech, Natalie Reay, and her client, Joanne Darby, spent over twelve months planning Joanne’s nail design for her cruise holiday – a style that unexpectedly found fame among cruise-goers, sparking conversations, connections and creativity. Imagine having ‘famous’ nails. This was the experience of Joanne Darby, who turned to…
Read More
Portsmouth nail pro: What I learned from mental health struggles during pregnancy
Laura Gilbert-Anderson of Basic Witch Nails shares her maternal mental health experiences and what they have taught her… I was diagnosed with a liver condition during my first pregnancy, so my baby and I had to be closely monitored. If test results weren’t good, it meant days spent at the…
Read More
Beyond The Brush: The nail tech community built on relationships, support & honesty
Gel nail educator & artist, Gemma Siverns, speaks to Scratch about her online community, Beyond The Brush (BTB) – a supportive, educational space she created for nail professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Gemma is a natural mentor. She began her journey in 2000, earning her…
Read More
Suffolk nail artist: ‘My salon isn’t just about treatments – it’s a whole experience’
Allie Eve, owner of The Nail Matrix, opens the doors of her bohemian sanctuary salon, unveiling a space to ‘spark creativity and escapism’. “The Nail Matrix is all about stepping out of the chaos and into a space where time slows down and the world melts away,” explains Allie. “From…
Read More
Read the latest issue
