HEALTH & WELLBEING

Onycholysis image

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…

Read More
Nails and file

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…

Read More
Self care meditaing lady pic

10 ways to practice self-care as a nail tech

By Scratch Staff | 24 July 2025

Scratch explores the importance of self-care and looks at 10 ways to ensure you prioritise your wellbeing as a nail pro… 1. Take regular breaks Schedule breaks during your working day to recharge: whether five minutes between clients or a full lunch break to refuel and take a walk, so…

Read More
Aug 25 low res scratch cover

Read the latest issue

Self care

How to align your beauty regime to the lunar cycle

By Alex Fox | 6 February 2021

Lunar expert, Jutta Russell, offers advice on aligning your beauty regime to the cycles of the moon… For thousands of years, experts have studied the mystery and magic of the moon, from how each phase can effect our behaviour, mood and even our menstrual cycles. But did you know, the…

Read More
Allergic reaction hands canva

Ways to help prevent & monitor beauty product allergies | The Beauty Bloggers

By Guest Writer | 27 January 2021

The Beauty Bloggers, aka Natalie Thompson & Rachel Jenkinson, share their patch testing tips & advice on preventing allergies in the salon.. Nat and Rach are ‘The Beauty Bloggers‘ and have over 21 years experience in the beauty sector between them. Their aim is to discuss real issues that beauty…

Read More
Work life balance canva stock

How to find a good work/life balance as a nail tech

By Guest Writer | 22 January 2021

Nicole Dowling, educator at Pure Nails, shares her advice for finding the balance between work life and personal life… Many of us constantly strive to work hard and prove our worth, and many have a willing to work more to earn more. The hardest part of the job is often…

Read More
At home gel polish

Why you shouldn’t use an at-home gel polish kit

By Katie Barnes | 13 January 2021

Salon owner, educator and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, unveils concerns surrounding DIY gel polish kits… Gel polish seems like an easy to use, harmless product – surely, it’s just like painting on a nail polish, isn’t it? Well, this is the attitude that is causing problems amongst some non-professionals, as they…

Read More
Dave heff banner

MINDFUL MATTERS: The Power of Positivity

By Alex Fox | 9 January 2021

  I’m so pleased to have been invited as a regular columnist & blogger for Scratch. The main reason for this being that I’ve seen first-hand how the past year has affected people within the nail industry and I want to do everything I can to try and help. Without…

Read More
Sophie dale

Why you should stop comparing your nail skills to others

By Guest Writer | 22 December 2020

Scratch magazine 2020 columnist, Sophie Dale of Nancy Loves Nails & Nancy Girl Apparel, shares why it’s time to stop comparing yourself to others… ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’. I constantly compare myself to others and it has really affected me. It’s poisonous, and no matter how experienced or whatever…

Read More