Gen Z entrepreneurship

Why Gen Z is ditching the 9-5 to start beauty businesses

By Jess Watts | 28 August 2025

Research from Small Business Saturday UK and Amex has found that 71% of Gen Z are interested in starting their own businesses, with beauty being among the most appealing sectors. Gen Z is entering the workforce with big dreams. Out of the 71% who reported interest in entrepreneurship, 31% said…

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TGB x Bristol Bears Women

From polish to pitch: The GelBottle Inc partners with Bristol Bears Women rugby team

By Jess Watts | 22 August 2025

The GelBottle Inc (TGB) has teamed up with Bristol Bears Women as its Official Nail Provider for the 2025/26 season. TGB is no stranger to sporting collaborations, with previous partnerships including Wimbledon stars, McLaren F1 Racing and the Lionesses. The latest collaboration – between the female-owned nail brand and women’s…

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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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Aesthetics regulation

UK Government announces plans to crack down on unsafe aesthetic procedures

By Rebecca Hitchon | 7 August 2025

The UK Government’s Department for Health and Social Care has revealed plans to regulate the aesthetic and non-invasive procedures sector. It follows a consultation, which industry bodies including the British Beauty Council, NHBF and BABTAC contributed to, and its findings have helped shape the approach to addressing safety concerns in…

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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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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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Dr emma meredith obe at ctpa 80th anniversary event

Industry association marks 80-year milestone championing cosmetic science, innovation & excellence

By Helena Biggs | 21 June 2025

The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA) celebrated 80 years championing cosmetic science, innovation and excellence with a lavish black tie dinner in London. Since 1945, the organisation has been promoting best industry practice and advising companies about the strict legal framework for cosmetics. It represents industry views to the…

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Abigail roscow nailathon

Staffordshire salon owner to run 24-hour nailathon charity event

By Rebecca Hitchon | 15 June 2025

Stafford-based nail pro, Abigail Roscow, is raising money for the British Heart Foundation via a ‘24 hour Nailathon’. On 12 July, the owner of Aura By Abigail Kate will create a nail design each hour for 24 hours, in honour of her dad who passed away from a heart condition…

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Jessica white

Timely salon software unveils nail artist, Jessica White, as brand ambassador

By Rebecca Hitchon | 10 June 2025

Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year finalist 2025, Jessica White, has been announced as Timely UK brand ambassador. Having used the business management software throughout her nail career, Jessica’s role will see her work to inspire and educate beauty business owners, via practical advice, behind-the-scenes and educational content,…

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Nailympia orlando 2025 results

Nailympia Orlando 2025: THE RESULTS

By Helena Biggs | 4 June 2025

The fifth Nailympia Orlando welcomed the most competitors to date, with 99 nail techs from eight countries choosing to compete in turn-in and arena categories. The event was hosted at Premiere Orlando 1 & 2 June 2025, and featured an esteemed international judging panel – with Alisha Rimando as head…

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Beauty industry expert makes best-sellers list with Shine book launch

By Scratch Staff | 31 May 2025

Joan Scott, CEO of Habia, skills consultant & beauty and spa expert, has made the best-sellers list with the launch of book, Shine. Joan Scott has edited Shine: a ‘must-read guide to achieving success through a growth mindset.’ Twenty-four successful business leaders share their stories within the book, to help cultivate…

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Uv safety initiatives

UK beauty industry & MPs announce initiatives to improve UV safety

By Rebecca Hitchon | 22 May 2025

With new UK melanoma skin cancer cases projected to rise to around 26,500 each year by 2038, the beauty industry is uniting to spearhead positive change. The British Beauty Council (BBCo) has coordinated the UV Safety Initiative to increase knowledge of suncare, SPF and the risks of UV radiation. It…

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Jessica vartoughian tribute

Nail industry mourns passing of Jessica Cosmetics founder, Jessica Vartoughian

By Scratch Staff | 13 May 2025

The nail industry has been deeply saddened by the passing of founder & former president of Jessica Cosmetics, Jessica Vartoughian. Here, Scratch remembers how Jessica inspired and shaped the nail sector. Jessica Cosmetics shared a post to Instagram on 28 April, announcing the passing of its founder. The caption paid…

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