MOVERS & SHAKERS

Beauty trends & innovations conference lead woman nails

Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference to offer insight & inspo to pros & brands

By Helena Biggs | 20 August 2025

Are you free on 24 September and want to level up your trends knowledge and accelerate the growth of your brand? The Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference is returning to London for its 13th year, welcoming over 40 beauty brands and retailers. These include L’Oréal, Unilever, Marks & Spencer, Amazon,…

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Demitris zacharia collection

UCA graduate adds 5,000 false nails to fashion project

By Jess Watts | 19 August 2025

Demitris Zacharia recently graduated from UCA with a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design. His final major project, titled ‘The Good, The Bad and The Glamorous’, caught the eye of Scratch due to its unusual and innovative use of false nails. Demistris shares his inspiration and ideation, and why false nails…

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Scratch snap contest aug 2025 fruity nails

99 fruit nail designs: nail art contest entries & winner reveal

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 August 2025

The winner of Scratch’s monthly salon-style nail art contest for August has been announced as Emma Laverton of @failtefae. In a showcase of talent, UK&I techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Fruity Fingertips, in the bid to win a HD Professional Nail Systems prize. Entries were judged by Hazel Dixon, award-winning…

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Aug 25 low res scratch cover

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Hand soap

Prestige hand soap sales increase amid coronavirus outbreak

By Sophie Nutt | 31 March 2020

Amidst the Covid-19 epidemic, in-store and online sales of prestige hand soaps have increased significantly in the UK according to the NPD Group. Sales of prestige hand soaps have increased week-on-week since 26 January 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Since 23 February 2020 (the week of the…

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Karen betts

Coronavirus: Karen Betts donates 100,000 face masks & gloves to NHS

By Sophie Nutt | 27 March 2020

Founder of Nouveau Beauty Group, Karen Betts, is donating 100,000 face masks, gloves, hand sanitisers and disinfectant wipes to the NHS. Like many others, Karen has had to temporarily close her business due to the Covid-19 outbreak and is therefore donating her residual stock to those on the frontline. The…

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Self employed business

Coronavirus: Self employed workers to have 80% of wages covered by government

By Helena Biggs | 26 March 2020

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announced financial support available to self employed personnel, whose businesses have been closed or affected by the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement aired on BBC News on 26 March, he addressed viewers saying: “I’m proud of what we have done so far, but know…

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Peacci 1200

Peacći unveils income opportunity for techs amid coronavirus outbreak

By Helena Biggs | 26 March 2020

The Gel Bottle Inc, parent company to the Peacći nail lacquer brand, has launched an initiative to support self-employed customers during the coronavirus crisis. Stipulations by the UK government have forced nail technicians to stop offering services such as gel polish manicures to clients, with income affected. Consequently, The Gel…

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Hair beauty charity

Hair & Beauty Charity announces support steps amid coronavirus outbreak

By Helena Biggs | 26 March 2020

The Hair & Beauty Charity, an independent service dedicated to helping hair and beauty professionals in need, has released a statement regarding support following the coronavirus outbreak. The charity offers financial support to individuals and their families facing difficult times due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, bereavement and financial…

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Scratch stars finalists 2020

Scratch Stars Awards 2020: Meet the finalists!

By Helena Biggs | 23 March 2020

This year’s nail industry awards welcomed the highest number of entries to date in a true showcase of UK talent. Passion, service & skill were witnessed in droves and the Scratch team was delighted to see so many talented techs and business owners seizing the opportunity to enter this leading UK nail…

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