Technology
VTCT expands international learner support with language assessment
Beauty qualifications awarding body, VTCT, has launched the Vocational English Language Assessment (VELA), to benefit international learners. The AI-powered English proficiency test is designed ‘to support international learners, training providers and employers with a fast, reliable and accessible way to validate English language capability’. VELA works by evaluating four core language skills: speaking, writing, reading…
Read MoreNail content creation: do you need the latest phone to succeed?
Sussex-based nail content creator & Scratch columnist, Zoya Mac, reveals why you don’t need the newest phone to create great content… When the iPhone 17 launched, I did what many people do: I scrolled through the specifications and became tempted to purchase. But if you’re trying to improve your content creation skills and be seen…
Read MoreNail tech communities: 4 online groups for networking & growth
Are you seeking support from fellow nail techs? Do you want easy access to creative and business inspiration? Do you have questions but don’t know who to ask? The answer might lie in joining a nail networking group. Here’s four to explore… The Nail Tech Org The Nail Tech Org is ‘home to nail techs…
Read MoreA social media brand collaboration guide for nail professionals
Nail content creator & Scratch columnist, Zoya Mac, shares social media advice… Social media is rife with individuals working with brands to promote products and services. From PR packages to reposts, it all looks very exciting – and for the right person, it can be. If your goal is to partner with a brand you…
Read MoreNail tool brand, MUSE, empowers techs through quality, consistency & community
Nail technician & educator, Becci Hollis, shares her journey launching nail tool brand, MUSE. Becci Hollis has been part of the nail industry for 11 years. Originally training as a nail technician, before opening her own salon and training academy, Becci has had her fair share of successful enterprises. Now, she adds one more to…
Read MoreHow to spot an AI nail design image
Photo created using ChatGPT AI-generated nail images are becoming increasingly prevalent across digital platforms, and while you might think ‘I’m savvy, I can detect a fake nail image’, know that AI is savvy too. When the world first cottoned on to the potential of artificial intelligence image generators, it’s likely you saw some strange-looking AI…
Read MoreMaster ‘nailfies’ as a nail tech with these expert photography tips
Check out this guide for nail pros who want to capture high-quality nail photos. First impressions matter. Blurry, dark or low-resolution photos can make it difficult for people to properly appreciate your nail creations, which could impact whether they decide to book an appointment. So, it’s crucial that your marketing materials feature clear, well-photographed content.…
Read MoreDo AI chatbots like ChatGPT have a place in the nail industry?
Disclaimer: this article is not written by a robot. But it does explore how language processing tools driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, or ‘chatbots’, are influencing the nail and beauty sector. As this technology integrates into our lives, many are wary of its place in society – and its potential. ‘Will robots take over?’…
Read MoreNail industry expert: here’s the problem with AI-generated nail designs
Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist 2024 & 2025, Hannah Clayton, shares her thoughts on artificial intelligence nail imagery…. We’ve all seen them: every nail shaped like it was designed in a factory with no cuts, dry skin or missing bits of sidewalls. We’re seeing a wave of AI-generated nail designs across social…
Read MoreSocial media nail expert: batch creating content is the best decision I’ve made
Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist 2024 and 2025, Hannah Clayton, shares how batch creating content has changed her life… Social media is a job in itself. As a nail artist, mentor and content creator, I’ve often found myself scrambling in the morning to think of something to post, edit a caption…
Read MoreHow to build your social media: 5 simple steps from a beauty business expert
Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist for 2024 and 2025 & online columnist, Hannah Beth Clayton, shares her social media tips… Growing your social media doesn’t need to be hard, confusing or a full-time job. I talk to so many beauty pros who feel overwhelmed by the algorithm, stuck on what to…
Read More3 must-have digital tools for beauty pros, according to a business & marketing expert
Beauty business and marketing mentor, Stephanie Barnard, aka Beauty Business Bestie, shares her digital tool recommendations… Whether you’re a solo worker or managing a team, staying organised can feel like a full-time job. Running a beauty business can get messy, and without systems in place, you might find yourself forgetting appointments, losing client details and…
Read MoreAI is changing the beauty salon game: here’s how it can help you stay ahead
Richard McCabe, aka the Lifestyle Salon Coach, shares how artificial intelligence can benefit your beauty business… Love it or hate it, AI is changing how businesses work – and that includes salons. Just like past tech revolutions, if you jump on board early, you’re more likely to come out on top. Remember when the internet…
Read MoreMeet the microchip mani: beauty tech that turns nails into business cards
You may have seen articles about microchip or NFC nails and wondered what in the Black Mirror is going on. Let’s go back to basics – what is NFC? This is an acronym for near-field communication: a technology that allows the exchange of small amounts of data between two electronic devices, such as mobile phones,…
Read MoreHow a booking system can benefit a nail tech’s work-life balance
Natural nail specialist & educator, Hannah Beth Clayton, shares how booking software has supported the day-to-day running of her business… Throwback to around four years ago, and I spent most evenings with a pen and paper, messaging clients back and forth to find an appointment for them. My husband would become agitated as he’d want…
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