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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Allergy katie barnes

What to do when you suspect a nail product allergy

By Katie Barnes | 3 September 2019

Itching; redness; swelling; nail separation; burning; peeling or blistering are all ways that your body is telling you that something is wrong. While recognising an allergy is important, it is equally essential that you know what to do afterwards. However minor the symptoms may appear, if client or tech begins…

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Nbf franchising

Thinking of franchising?

By Kat Hill | 3 September 2019

There’s more than one way to run a beauty business – and maybe franchising could be the way forward for you, explains NBF chief executive, Hilary Hall… Depending on your situation, you can consider becoming a franchisee or a franchisor. Either way, make sure you do your homework and understand…

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Jessica Nails educator, Georgina Walker.

Analysing the natural nail

By Kat Hill | 31 August 2019

“It is important to carry out a thorough analysis at the beginning of each treatment to make sure you provide the correct solution to achieve the best results,” says Jessica Nails educator, Georgina Walker. “Assess each nail individually, as nails on the same hand can have different needs. This will…

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Cpd ideas

Why regular training is so important in the beauty industry

By Scratch Staff | 30 August 2019

Dave Horton of ABT Insurance outlines why continued professional development is so important in the beauty industry… The start of another academic year represents, to me, the opportunity to start a new training course or improve a skill set. Of course, we can undertake training at any time throughout the…

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Hygiene advice for keeping tools clean

By Sophie Nutt | 29 August 2019

All nail tools and implements must be properly cleaned and disinfected before coming into direct contact with a client, both for their health and the credibility of your business. “There is absolutely no argument that tools must be disinfected in between every client,” says Nigel Rouse of Mundo Professional. “Total…

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Tamm k social media

How to make the most of an Instagram story

By Scratch Staff | 28 August 2019

Tammy Koslowski, owner of Glasgow’s award-winning NAF! Salon (and winner of the Scratch Stars Best Use of Social Media award 2017 & 2018) shares her social media tips & tricks… Remember when Instagram stories used to only last 24 hours? Now you can get old story posts from your archive…

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