BUSINESS

What is the nail matrix header

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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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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Andy rouillard expert waxing male summer tips

Andy Rouillard’s guide to summer male waxing

By Sophie Nutt | 11 September 2020

Andy Rouillard, men’s waxing specialist and owner of Axiom Wax Academy, shares his top tips to male waxing in the summer with the Just Wax Expert range from Salon System… As the sunny weather rolls on, it is likely that clients will arrive for their appointments warmer and perspiring more…

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Why & how you should remove fumes & dust from the nail space

By Guest Writer | 10 September 2020

The team at extraction specialist company, Vodex, reveals why it’s imperative to remove fumes & dust from your workspace – and what the consequences are if you don’t… If you work with nails, you will have experienced fumes and mess from filing and enhancement products. If you don’t wipe surfaces…

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Britney tokyo la post covid 19

Britney Tokyo on the new LA nail scene post-Covid-19

By Sophie Nutt | 10 September 2020

LA-based celebrity manicurist & Scratch columnist for 2020, Britney Tokyo reveals what the nail industry looks like across the pond… Much like in the UK, a new style of life has begun since businesses opened back up in Los Angeles after the Covid-19 quarantine. The LA nail industry has also…

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4 tips for safely maintaining your PPE

By Guest Writer | 10 September 2020

With salons operating under strict Covid-19 guidelines, its important to pay attention to the condition of your protective equipment. Kelly Friel, from PPE experts Zoro, shares four tips for ensuring yours is fit for purpose and properly maintained. In July, the UK finally saw the reopening of many beauty salons…

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Salon chat community

Salon Chat: How to overcome the pressures of social media

By Guest Writer | 7 September 2020

Salon Chat hosts, Kelly Colley of Lavish Nails and Isabel Porter of The Beauty Garage, share their thoughts on the nail sector… I’m typing this out on a bank holiday Monday morning having already posted by ‘mandatory’ Instagram post. Mandatory I say because, without it, my posts won’t be seen, no one will…

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Katie barnes nail tools

How to keep your nail tools in tip-top condition

By Katie Barnes | 1 September 2020

Scissors, nippers, cuticle pushers and other such nail tools will last longer and keep a sharp edge for longer if you take the appropriate level of care. Sharp tools are safer and more efficient to use than blunt ones. When a tool is blunt or thick, additional force is required…

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