MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hara Gel Polish Artist 2025 winner nails

Hara Professional unveils Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025

By Helena Biggs | 12 December 2025

Nail brand, Hara Professional, has unveiled Wigan nail pro, Alyx Olivia Mills, as winner of its 2025 gel polish contest – and a prize worth £2,500. The search for Hara Professional’s Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025 began on 1 September 2025. Techs from the UK and Ireland were…

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Great British Beauty Clean Up

Great British Beauty Clean Up 2026 drives shift towards reusable product packaging

By Scratch Staff | 11 December 2025

March will see the return of The Great British Beauty Clean Up (GBBCU): a nationwide collaboration between retailers, brands and professionals created by the British Beauty Council’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition, with the aim of reducing waste. Around 120 billion units of packaging are produced each year, and The GBBU is…

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Jessica Cosmetics nail brand

Gerrard International acquires Jessica Cosmetics nail brand

By Rebecca Hitchon | 11 December 2025

Nail and beauty distributor & training provider, Gerrard International, has announced its acquisition of Jessica Cosmetics. The Hertfordshire-based company, founded by manicurist, Susan Gerrard, and her late husband, Ian, has been leading Jessica Cosmetics’ UK arm for the past 35 years, helping to make it the nailcare brand’s most successful…

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Dec 2025 low res scratch cover

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Nail salon small business woman nail tech

Government announces plan for small businesses: here’s what it means for nail & beauty pros

By Helena Biggs | 1 August 2025

The UK government has unveiled a Small Business Plan, which hopes to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by giving them ‘the most comprehensive support package in a generation’. Many measures within the plan will directly affect the nail, hair and beauty sectors, which comprise thousands of salons and self-employed…

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Hona downing street

HONA nail brand attends small business celebration at Downing Street

By Rebecca Hitchon | 29 July 2025

Wales-based professional nail brand, Home Of Nail Art (HONA), was invited to a small business celebration hosted by the UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, this month. Held at 11 Downing Street, the event brought together over 40 winners and finalists of The Small Awards 2025 by Small Business Britain, where HONA…

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August important dates

Important August dates for your nail & beauty business

By Jess Watts | 27 July 2025

Get your business prepared for the month of August, with our roundup of dates to note… 2nd-3rd: Brighton Pride Pride Month may have been in June, but amplifying the voices of the LGBTQ+ community is not restricted to one month. The UK’s biggest pride festival takes place at the start…

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Scratch snap july 2025

Seaside styles stun in nail art contest: check out 55 entries & winner

By Rebecca Hitchon | 22 July 2025

The winner of the Scratch Snap nail art contest for July has been announced as Bethany Allen of @goodwithabrush. In a showcase of talent, UK&I techs created salon-style nail designs inspired by theme, Seaside Styling, in the bid to win a Halo prize courtesy of Pure Nails. Entries were judged by…

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Babtac beauty collective growth

BABTAC expands Beauty Collective of experts in mission to improve industry standards

By Rebecca Hitchon | 15 July 2025

The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC) has announced 12 new members to its Beauty Collective. The group of over 30 experts across the beauty, business and education sectors is focused on championing professionalism, supporting new and established pros, improving consumer care, plus enhancing the beauty industry’s reputation…

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Scratch stars winners pic 2025

Winners announced in nail industry’s 13th annual Scratch Stars Awards (+ photo gallery)

By Helena Biggs | 7 July 2025

Stunning London venue, The Underglobe, set the scene for the 13th annual Scratch Stars Awards, which recognises exceptional nail professionals, businesses and teams in the UK and Ireland. Hosted by TV’s Jeff Brazier and Scratch’s Helena Biggs, awards were presented across 18 categories, and guests enjoyed prosecco courtesy of Bluestreak…

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