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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Katie barnes nails

Coronavirus: 7 ideas to help your business survive tough times

By Katie Barnes | 18 March 2020

As nail technicians and beauty therapists, our customer appointments rely on face-to-face contact for us to perform our services and earn income. We are all aware of the impending detrimental effects that the current global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on our nail and beauty businesses. Now is the…

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Liza smith bodylines

Coronavirus: How one salon owner vows to manage nail appointments safely

By Scratch Staff | 17 March 2020

Liza Smith, session nailist & co-owner of award-winning Bodylines salon in Sittingbourne, Kent, reveals the steps she’s taking to manage the safety of her staff and clients while honouring appointments… “The government has given the advice to avoid social outlets, which could have a huge impact on nail and beauty…

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Social media

Is your social media content ‘shareable’?

By Sophie Nutt | 13 March 2020

Social media has never been so prevalent in the nail industry. While it can be a minefield and extremely difficult to navigate at times (especially due to the ever-changing Facebook and Instagram algorithms), it can be the make or break of any business. Extending your reach beyond your existing following is one of…

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Coronavirus mask

Coronavirus: Essential advice for employers

By Scratch Staff | 12 March 2020

Tina Chander, partner & head of the employment team at Midlands law firm, Wright Hassall, deals with employment law issues for businesses of all sizes. Here, she reveals advice for employers in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak… The coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19) has raised serious health concerns, and now, the…

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Bridal nails

Why you should already be preparing your client’s summer wedding nails

By Sophie Nutt | 6 March 2020

Preparation for a bridal manicure can begin up to six months prior to the big day, allowing for a thorough consultation, trial manicures and maintenance appointments. “The natural nail can take six months to grow from the matrix to the free edge and so it is ideally best to start…

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Katie barnes clean

Coronavirus fears: A review of salon hygiene practices

By Katie Barnes | 3 March 2020

With Coronavirus spreading at a rapid rate across the globe, Katie Barnes reflects on sanitation, disinfection and sterilisation procedures in the beauty sphere to help prevent the spread of any infection… In the nail salon, we are in constant contact with a a number of people every day. Sometimes, we…

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