Art & Technique
50 mood-boosting manicures: nail art that will make you smile
Everyone needs a bit of sunshine – so if the weather isn’t complying, why not add it to nails instead? These feel-good fingertips are sure to bring a smile to your face! From bright yellow hues – a colour strongly linked to happiness and positivity, to playful patterns and cute characters, these nails are pure…
Read MoreMixed media nail tutorial by Elena Maltseva: eye nail art
Scratch explores how award-winning nail artist & educator, Elena Maltseva, created the nails for the Nailympia 2026 marketing campaign… I want to demonstrate how to create the human eye, because it is one of the most important elements on a person’s face. I begin my face sculpting workshops with the creation of the human eye…
Read MoreDECADE – The era that made me: North America’s Star Nail Artist S2 Challenge 4 Entries
Nostalgic moments and flashbacks to toys and TV shows feature in the nail designs created for Challenge 4 of the North America’s Star Nail Artist contest. The 13 remaining contestants rifled through their memory banks to sculpt and style striking works of art, in a bid to maintain their places in the competition and fight…
Read More17 nail designs to celebrate the Year of the Horse
Check out entries to the 18 February 2026 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Year of the Horse. Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge. Follow Scratch on Instagram and Facebook for future Creative Challenges – launching every other Wednesday. These nails are giving mane character energy…
Read More5 nail art trends set to dominate spring 2026
This spring/summer, nail trends are encapsulating a variety of preferences. From delicate, fine line artwork and subtle shades to bold, maximalist manicures, the season truly celebrates diversity in expression. Let’s take a look at this year’s five signature spring nail styles… 1. Blooming botanicals Floral and foliage-themed fingertips are firm favourites during the warmer months.…
Read MoreNail artist shares intricate Lunar New Year nail design details
Philadelphia-based nail technician, Ariana Nevoienna, has over seven years’ experience in the nail industry, having trained in her home country of Ukraine before moving to the US three years ago. “I studied at an art school from a young age, which strongly influenced my creative vision,” the nail artist says. “Because of this background, my…
Read More10 gothic Wuthering Heights nail designs to mark the film release
If you’re currently swooning over Emerald Fennell’s film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, why not translate some of that gothic romance onto nails? We’ve rounded up a collection of nail designs that capture the brooding elegance, moody ambience and timeless drama of the gothic genre.
Read More20 trendy & timeless jewel tone nail ideas for gemstone lovers
As we look towards the coming months, autumn/winter trends are waking from hibernation, ready to take the nail industry by storm. This year, jewel-themed nails are set to be a big hit. From dazzling jewel tones to daring gemstone embellishments, autumn/winter is all about celebrating sparkly stones! Here are 20 nail design ideas you could…
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