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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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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Helen Burton-Ward on allergy prevention

By Sophie Nutt | 10 April 2020

Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year 2019 and CND™ education ambassador, Helen-Burton Ward, shares her advice to preventing allergies… Allergies and overexposure are widespread issues within the industry. An allergy may develop as a response to the improper application or cure of a nail system, or sensitivity to certain…

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Notebook

Coronavirus: Learning from ‘unprecedented times’

By Kat Hill | 6 April 2020

Tracy Nash, director of Vu Nail Systems, shares her thoughts on these ‘unprecedented times’… Sit and just take a minute. Reflect on you; relax, breathe, calm. The world is wonderful and already repairing itself. Picture the beauty and set your mind ready… ready for the months ahead. Start with a…

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Julie anne lariviere

Coronavirus: 6 ways to make the most of your extra time

By Sophie Nutt | 4 April 2020

Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System nail expert and salon owner of Sketched by J-A Nails, shares top tips for how techs can utilise the extra time they have as a result of Covid-19… As difficult as this time is for most self-employed nail technicians, it is, for some, a blessing in…

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Piggy bank

3 ways to boost your income during low trading periods

By Sophie Nutt | 3 April 2020

The team at Sienna X shares three top tips to boosting your income during quiet periods… Covid-19 has given many of us a new perspective, not only on our health, but also the way that we can operate business during times of extreme trading lows and uncertainty. With normality interrupted, we…

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Think positive

Coronavirus: How to remain positive in times of adversity

By Sophie Nutt | 2 April 2020

Ruth Atkins, Salon System educator, shares an insight into remaining positive in times of adversity along with practical advice for techs…  We are facing unprecedented times and it is very difficult to keep positive when businesses face closure, family and close friends are struggling with their health, worries about financial…

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Business

Coronavirus: An update from NHBF

By Scratch Staff | 2 April 2020

We are living through extraordinary times and our industry is facing weeks, if not months, of huge anxiety as the Coronavirus pandemic continues. Here, NHBF chief executive, Hilary Hall, shares an update on the organisation’s efforts… The NHBF is reacting rapidly to the developing situation, from putting out daily updates…

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