BUSINESS

What is the nail matrix?

What is the nail matrix?

By Jess Watts | 17 August 2025

If you’ve ever heard the term ‘nail matrix’ and pictured Keanu Reeves in black sunglasses and a trench coat, it may be time to brush up your knowledge of this important part of the nail… Have you played on a coin pusher at an arcade? The game where a platform…

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Scarlett Senter Embellishments

7 tips for working with nail embellishments

By Scratch Staff | 16 August 2025

Adorning nails with 3D embellishments adds dimension to designs, allowing you to transform plain styles into striking looks. 7 nail stylists offer adhesion and application advice… Lead nail tips by Scarlett Senter (@scarlett_senternailartist). 1. “Practice wearing embellished designs on your own nails, as this will help you to learn a…

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December christmas calendar

Nail pros, here’s why opening your Christmas diary too early can cost you

By Hannah Beth Clayton | 15 August 2025

Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares lessons learned from Christmas diary chaos… Every year, as the summer sun is still shining, clients start asking the same thing: ‘When are you opening your Christmas diary?‘ For years, I used to cave at the pressure of releasing appointments, thinking I was clever.…

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Aug 25 low res scratch cover

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Katie barnes smile gel

How to create a crisp smile line with the gel system

By Katie Barnes | 21 January 2020

Smile lines can be a nail tech’s nemesis. With the introduction of gel paint and gel polish, the need for sculpted smile lines has faded. While I love the look of a crisp, sculpted smile line, time constraints and trends means that more and more clients are requesting varied finishes;…

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Hand copy

Expert advice: Nail salon risk assessments

By Scratch Staff | 20 January 2020

Use the post-Christmas lull to ensure your business is up-to-date with health & safety practises and procedures. Here, Beverly Coleman, nail tech and NEBOSH qualified health & safety advisor, offers her tip for ensure your risk assessments are tip top… “Helping to preventing accidents and ill-health in the salon setting needn’t…

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Salon services nails stock image

3 things to consider if you want to ‘go mobile’

By Scratch Staff | 19 January 2020

Sharon Sandhu, category manager for nails at Salon Services UK & Ireland, serves up some top tips if you’re considering making the move to a mobile way of working… Have you been pondering or planning your next career move? Some of you may be thinking of ‘going mobile’ – and…

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Metta francis goals

How to plan & execute your goals for the year ahead

By Metta Francis | 14 January 2020

I love the New Year as I find it the perfect time to reflect, reset and set intentions for the months ahead. If you’ve not yet had the time to do this, I highly recommend you block out your diary, treat yourself to some lovely new stationery, get comfy and…

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Educator

How to become a training provider

By Kat Hill | 13 January 2020

Do you want to pass on your knowledge, passion and experience to the next generation? If so, becoming a training provider could your next career move. However, it’s vital to do your research before deciding if this is really for you. Becoming a training provider requires dedication and commitment. It’s…

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Katie barnes stock image expectations

How to manage your nail client’s expectations

By Katie Barnes | 7 January 2020

Many clients bring pictures of nail designs that they have found on social media to the nail desk and want us to recreate the exact nails from the photograph. While to some techs, having an image to work from is a safety blanket, many dread being presented with this. Nail…

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