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Safari themed nail comp inspires techs in lockdown

By Alex Fox | 20 February 2021

It’s exciting and delighting to come across Facebook groups where support, unity and inspiration are the names of the game. Invited to judge a weekly nail competition for a nail group on Facebook, I, Alex Fox, was charmed by what I found when I got there. The FB group, Nails,…

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NAIL TECH TALK: June Gilbert of June Gilbert Nail Artist

By Callie Iley | 20 February 2021

Scratch chats with Magpie senior educator, June Gilbert of June Gilbert Nail Artist, about her journey into the nail industry and her passion for education… I have been in the nail industry since 1995. I started my career at college, completing an NVQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy and then…

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Booking software vs. the paper diary | The Beauty Bloggers

By Guest Writer | 19 February 2021

The Beauty Bloggers, aka Natalie Thompson & Rachel Jenkinson, discuss beauty booking systems & what works for their needs… 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 professionals face. Passionate and hard-working, the…

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#NowTrending: White crystal nails by Ashleigh Rene Owens

By Callie Iley | 16 February 2021

Scratch chats to Ashleigh Rene Owens of Nails With Ashleigh, Denver, USA, about the nail art planning process & how she created this striking crystal design… “In 2011, I began doing manicures for my family and friends. What started as a hobby became my career after I realised that I…

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5 things I love about being a competition judge

By Alex Fox | 13 February 2021

Scratch chats to Denise Wright, who’s name is synonymous with nail competitions, about why she loves running & judging nail competitions   1: What it means to me Competitions have been an important part of my life since I started competing at the age of 24. From that very first…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Aminah Akhtar of Minnie’s Beauty Lounge

By Callie Iley | 13 February 2021

Scratch chats with Aminah Akhtar of Minnie’s Beauty Lounge about the messages behind her nail art and the progress she’s made during her nail career so far… “The thing I love about nails is that it’s so much more than just painting nails. Nail art can be used to make…

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5 things I love about being a session nail technician

By Helena Biggs | 12 February 2021

Scratch chats to session nail technician & Scratch Stars Session Stylist of the Year 20/21 finalist, Lauren Michelle Pires, about her work life & the things she loves most about her role… Based in London, Lauren Michelle Pires works as a freelance editorial manicurist. She studied graphic design and photography…

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Tech Time: Who’s That Nail Girl…

By Alex Fox | 9 February 2021

Tech Time: Who’s That Nail Girl…  Julia Sisu Age: 34 years Location: Portsmouth, UK Name of business: Nail Elegance Type of business: Salon Years doing nails: 8 years Trained with: Tatiana Litvinov, E.mi nails, Sergey Lavrukhin, Anita Podoba, Pearl Nails, Brillbird,Tienda lnternational, Tierra Serv, Elle Erre Nails and many nail…

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#NowTrending: Beachy gemstone nail art by Toni Sullivan

By Callie Iley | 9 February 2021

Scratch chats with Toni Sullivan of Hands On about her hopes for the future, and how she created this beautiful beachy gemstone nail design. I qualified in beauty in 2009. It was when I qualified that I found a strong love for nails. I worked in a local beauty salon,…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Rachel Hemmings of Rachel’s Nails & Beauty

By Callie Iley | 6 February 2021

Scratch chats with Rachel Hemmings of Rachel’s Nails & Beauty about her time training as a nail tech and her future plans… Tell us about your training… My adventure started soon after leaving school. I decided to go to college and study level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy, and qualified…

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How to choose the right Halo nail system for your client

By Guest Writer | 5 February 2021

Tina Bell, head of education for Pure Nails & owner of Totally Polished Academy, shares advice on finding the right Halo nail system to suit your client’s needs… The pandemic has given us time to perfect what we already knew and learn new skills, but it’s time to refocus on the nail systems…

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Is your work/life balance too affected by social media?

By Katie Barnes | 2 February 2021

We are able to create relationships with customers before, during and after they have booked a visit to our nail business with the power of social media. This allows customers to trust us and become instantly loyal, even before they may have visited. But, there is a downside to social…

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Candy crush: Japan’s kawaii-styling on nails

By Alex Fox | 1 February 2021

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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TECH TALK: Laura Ann Francis of Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty

By Callie Iley | 30 January 2021

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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#NowTrending: Monochrome diamond nails by Laura Katy Chester

By Callie Iley | 26 January 2021

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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