Scratch – Page 36 – The world’s #1 resource for nails

Scratch Stars Hall Of Famer reveals what it’s like to judge for the prestigious awards

By Jess Watts | 30 August 2025

Kayley Cairns, five-time Scratch Stars Award-winner, nail artist & educator, reveals what it’s like to judge for the esteemed competition, and shares advice for entrants. Kayley Cairns is no stranger to the Scratch Stars Awards. After taking home two awards for Mixed Media Artist of the Year and Nail Stylist of the Year, Kayley went…

Formula 1-inspired nail art ideas for F1 racing fans

By Rebecca Hitchon | 28 August 2025

Whether you’re team Ferrari or Mercedes, fuel your passion for Formula 1 with themed nail art looks. Race to nail perfection by taking inspiration from these designs shared online by nail pros…

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 this was a closely held…

Cow print #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge

67 udderly moo-smerising cow print nail designs

By Jess Watts | 28 August 2025

Cow print is a bold pattern that repeatedly enters the zeitgeist, and it is having a particular ✨moment✨ right now. According to Google Trends, searches for cow print-related nail art have increased monumentally in the last 12 months, with terms such as ‘cow print French tip nails’ skyrocketing by 250%. Check out entries to the…

September important dates images courtesy of @gel.bymegan and @truebeautybycarrie

Important September dates for your nail & beauty business

By Jess Watts | 27 August 2025

Get your business prepared for the month of September, with our roundup of dates to note… 1st: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day Ginger cats are widely regarded as the most affectionate of our feline friends; they have been dubbed ‘velcro cats’, requiring a lot of attention and love. While seen as very sweet, ginger cats have…

52 candy-coated Christmas nail ideas to sweeten your holiday style

Check out entries to the 10 December 2025 nail art…

Gerrard International acquires Jessica Cosmetics nail brand

Nail and beauty distributor & training provider, Gerrard International, has…

Image courtesy of Instagram.com/austylyys

5 ways to wear Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026 on nails

Global colour authority, Pantone, has revealed its hotly anticipated Color of the Year for 2026, and it might surprise you……

Image courtesy of Instagram.com/mynailgirlkylee

30 short Christmas nail designs that are set to stun

Who says short nails can’t rock amazing art? Embrace dazzling digits this Christmas, no matter how small the canvas… Check…

Image courtesy of Instagram.com/ayelet__nails

14 Hanukkah-inspired nail designs to help light up the holiday

Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, which commemorates the rededication of a Jewish temple after it was taken…

What are rings of fire on nails & how can they be avoided?

Red rings or semicircles that appear on the nail – often referred to as ‘rings of fire’ – can strike…

NAIL ART INSPO

8 simple steps to create a Christmas gonk nail design

Christmas candy cane nail art guide

18 alternative Christmas nail art designs

Image courtesy of Instagram.com/polished_yogi

The snowflake nail designs you need to try this Christmas

44 Disney nail art designs that are pure magic

26 candy cane nail designs to satisfy your Christmas nail art cravings

Click here for all nail art inspo

EVENTS

Nailtopia Trade Show

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

Created by nail techs, for nail techs. Founded in 2019 as a trade show dedicated solely to professional nail technicians, Nailtopia is back after a three-year break. It has a renewed mission: to uplift, educate and celebrate the incredible people shaping the nail and beauty industry. In 2026, it is hosted at The Steamworks, Sheffield – a unique, female-run venue led by sisters whose passion for events mirrors the Nailtopia…

Phorest Salon Owners Summit

By Jess Watts | 15 September 2025

Phorest, a global salon, spa and clinic software company, will host its 10th annual Salon Owners Summit 25 & 26 January 2026. The event, themed ‘Thrive: The human experience, powered by technology‘, will gather hundreds of salon and clinic owners from around the world at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, Ireland. The summit promises a deep dive into inspiration, education and strategic business growth, as well as demystifying how technology…

New Year’s Eve

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

For nail techs, the final day of the year is usually covered in glitter. Sparkle and silver styles are among the most popular NYE nail requests. While you are tending to talons, remember to take a moment to reflect on the year you’ve had, and acknowledge the things you have achieved. Congratulations for another year of wonderful work. Here’s to 2026! Take a look at our gallery of New Year’s…

Christmas Day

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

‘The most wonderful time of the year’ culminates with Christmas Day. As we reach the summit of sparkle season, the day screams for seasonal sets. Give your clients the gift of festive fingertips with Santa styles, Christmas tree talons and more. Check out the top 5 Christmas nail art trends for 2025. Image courtesy of Instagram.com/brontenails_x

Winter solstice

By Rebecca Hitchon | 20 November 2025

According to English Heritage, ‘during winter solstice, the earth’s axis is tilted at its furthest point from the sun. This means that, for us in the northern hemisphere, the sun is at its lowest point in the sky’. Essentially, winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, and the longest night. Embrace the presence of the starry sky with a themed nail design, and brighten up the dark by adding some…

Scratch Snap nail art competition

By Rebecca Hitchon | 4 December 2025

Scratch Snap is a monthly, online nail art challenge to create a salon-style design in line with a theme. Simply snap a pic of the design (on yourself, nail tips or a client) and you could be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize! The theme for December’s Scratch Snap is Black Tie Sparkle, and the winner will scoop Bluestreak Crystals’ Serinity Flatback Ultimate Mix in Crystal – worth over…

INSTAGRAM FEED

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Dec 14

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💅🏽Nails by Klysta Pesina (@exquisitenailsboutique) for the second North America’s Star Nail Artist – Season 2 challenge, which was set by sponsor, @glitterbels. 🇺🇸🇲🇽🇨🇦

⭐️The task: Create a five-nail design inspired by one of @glitterbels co-founder, Annabel Maginnis’s, dream North American destinations, featuring 50% pink.💖

“When Annabel visits Austin, I already know exactly what kind of adventure she’s in for: a whirlwind of pink sparkle, cowgirl grit, and Texas charm. The overall nail vibe for this set is Yeehaw Barbie meets Rhinestone Rebel: big, bold, sparkly and dipped in all the magic that makes Austin the jewel of the Lone Star State. This look isn’t just nails; it’s a full-blown rodeo of pink, glitter, fantasy and southern sass.

“I chose Austin because it’s in Texas: my birthplace that built me from the ground up. Texas is where I learned to be fearless, to hold my head up high, and to walk into any room like I already belong there. This nail set shows that with sparkle and a big ol’ ‘you got this, Texas unicorn.’

“The set features a rhinestone saddle that would make any cowgirl proud. I wanted the unicorn worthy saddle to feel like something straight out of a magical honky-tonk sculpted, sparkly, dipped in pink dust. The Pink Roses of Texas are blooming proudly in pink layers with gold and sliver flakes topped with rhinestones. I went with Annabel’s iconic unicorn in the place of our wild horses, which is every rhinestones cowgirls dream to own! The nails combine whimsical & wildness into one unforgettable “Yeehaw Barbie” fantasy.”

⭐️North America’s Star Nail Artist - Season 2 is powered by @scratchmagazine & in partnership with @premierebeautyshows.
Sponsored by: @thejanarnold @gelishprofessional @glitterbels @lechatnails @the_gelbottle_inc

#nails #nailsnailsnails #nailart #nailartist #nailtech #nailpro #nailspo #nailsusa #nasna #northamericasstarnailartist #naildesign #glitterbels #nailscanada #nailsmexico ...