BUSINESS

left handed nail tech katie barnes

Left-handed nail tech? Here’s how to adapt your tool kit

By Katie Barnes | 13 August 2025

It is assumed that when working left-handed, you just work the opposite way. But if you are leftie, you will know this is a myth. The majority of the population is right-handed, and so the majority of nail products and techniques are tailored to right-handed techs. Having to adapt to…

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The UK heatwave: Is it affecting your nail products?

By Katie Barnes | 12 August 2025

Educator & award-winning nail pro, Katie Clark, reveals why hot weather may impact your nail products and services… Most techs will have noticed a difference in their L&P acrylic and gel systems during different temperatures and seasons, with changes being particularly noticeable during periods of very warm weather. Temperature and…

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Inside the nailcare oasis in the centre of Huddersfield

By Jess Watts | 2 August 2025

Meet Rebecca, ‘toe wizard’ & owner of Cutiecles – a salon sanctuary that prides itself on comfort, care and calm. Recently refurbed, Cutiecles Nail Salon is a passion project for the nail technician, who boasts 10 years’ experience in the industry. After returning to work from maternity leave, Rebecca (and…

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Instagram analytics: what you need to know

By Scratch Staff | 30 December 2021

You’ve got your posting strategy down, your content is getting hits and your following is gaining momentum. But, how do you keep it up and stay on top of the interests of those following and engaging with your account? The next step in any social media marketing strategy is to…

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Salon retail

9 tips for successful salon retailing

By Kat Hill | 26 December 2021

Esteemed salon & spa business consultant, Susan Routledge, serves up advice on how & why you should make the most of retail opportunities… 1 Why is it so important for a nail business to offer retail products? Retailing is such an integral and important part of any nail business. It is…

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Katie barnes nail art

What to charge for your nail art services

By Katie Barnes | 7 December 2021

As well as experimenting with your creative skills, adding nail art to your services is an opportunity to increase your revenue – so make sure you are charging correctly for it. A question I come across at least once a day, is how much should I be charging for my…

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Have you ever had a client try to haggle your prices? Here’s what to do if it happens

By Emma Hobday | 25 November 2021

Negotiating prices. We’ve all been there – using vouchers at a restaurant, making use of Groupon deals, entering codes at checkout for online shopping – but asking for a discount at a nail salon can have a serious impact on business and should not be encouraged. Here Scratch chats to…

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nail tech ppe

Nail & beauty pros: Should you still wear full PPE?

By Katie Barnes | 18 November 2021

Some nail techs have always worn it, with others only introducing it since the Covid-19 outbreak. But should you always wear PPE? The short answer is yes. PPE has always been a requirement of COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) for nail techs. PPE can include items such as…

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Mobile therapists: Here’s how the Storefront app can take the stress out of beauty bookings

By Helena Biggs | 16 November 2021

From the creators of the successful LeSalon beauty service finder app comes Storefront – a handy app to help mobile beauty pros organise and promote bookings. Launching at the end of 2021, Storefront ‘helps mobile therapists be their own boss’ with a booking management facility, option for a website optimised…

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