EXPERT ADVICE

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Onycholysis: what is it & how can it be treated?

By Jess Watts | 31 July 2025

Let’s talk the causes of onycholysis, aka nail separation, how to prevent and what to do when it’s presented at the nail desk… Picture this: you scrape your knee and pop a plaster over the top to help it heal. Three days later, that plaster has started to lift. At…

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How to elevate your beauty business by seeing it through clients’ eyes

By Marie-Louise Coster | 30 July 2025

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, discusses the importance of understanding clients’ perspective… When was the last time you walked through your business as if you were an existing or new client? We all need to walk through our businesses, whether physically or virtually, on a regular basis…

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The nail hyponychium: what is it & why does it need protecting?

By Jess Watts | 25 July 2025

Not all heroes wear capes… but sometimes they deserve a little appreciation. Here are some key facts about the hyponychium – your underappreciated nail protector. Akin to how we fill the cracks in between shower tiles, the crevices of our nails also need sealing to protect the nail bed and…

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Choosing a beginner nail course

How to choose the right beginner nail course for you

By Sophie Nutt | 24 January 2020

Navigating the first steps of your nail journey can be tricky due to the range of options presented to you. When researching training providers, there are a number of things to look out for: thorough teachings of nail anatomy, chemistry, hygiene and safety in the workplace, natural nail care and…

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Tina Bell on how to manage wellbeing in the workplace

By Sophie Nutt | 23 January 2020

During your career as a nail tech, you may be faced with some common health issues that are associated with the profession. Alongside the bad backs, shoulders, necks, sore fingers and muscle strains, the industry is also seeing a large increase in mental health issues. Right now, one in six…

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Katie barnes smile gel

How to create a crisp smile line with the gel system

By Katie Barnes | 21 January 2020

Smile lines can be a nail tech’s nemesis. With the introduction of gel paint and gel polish, the need for sculpted smile lines has faded. While I love the look of a crisp, sculpted smile line, time constraints and trends means that more and more clients are requesting varied finishes;…

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Expert advice: Nail salon risk assessments

By Scratch Staff | 20 January 2020

Use the post-Christmas lull to ensure your business is up-to-date with health & safety practises and procedures. Here, Beverly Coleman, nail tech and NEBOSH qualified health & safety advisor, offers her tip for ensure your risk assessments are tip top… “Helping to preventing accidents and ill-health in the salon setting needn’t…

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3 things to consider if you want to ‘go mobile’

By Scratch Staff | 19 January 2020

Sharon Sandhu, category manager for nails at Salon Services UK & Ireland, serves up some top tips if you’re considering making the move to a mobile way of working… Have you been pondering or planning your next career move? Some of you may be thinking of ‘going mobile’ – and…

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Metta francis goals

How to plan & execute your goals for the year ahead

By Metta Francis | 14 January 2020

I love the New Year as I find it the perfect time to reflect, reset and set intentions for the months ahead. If you’ve not yet had the time to do this, I highly recommend you block out your diary, treat yourself to some lovely new stationery, get comfy and…

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