Nail techs, here’s how to diversify your skills to reap rewards

By Guest Writer | 26 May 2025

Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares advice for taking your next career step… Do you want to change your role or take a leap in a new direction? Many beauty professionals have been asking me how they can diversify their careers. I teach people to leverage their skills and time, because face-to-face…

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Hampshire nail pro on maternal mental health struggles & pressure to be a perfect mum

By Guest Writer | 25 May 2025

Andover-based nail artist & educator, Jo Bennett, opens up about feeling her lowest after having twins… When I was a new mum, I struggled to focus, my mood dropped significantly and I had no motivation, whether to take my twins out, work or even wash my face. I also had nightmares and flashbacks, which were…

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Having a niche as a nail tech: is it important?

By Lilly Delmage | 24 May 2025

Whether your skills focus is natural nailcare, premium pedis or portrait painting, Scratch investigates the importance of identifying and capitalising on your expertise… What is a niche? ‘Niche’ is a business term used to describe a focused approach to offering goods and services, and tailoring them to a specific consumer group, rather than a broad…

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3 simple ways to paint French tips using nail polish or gel polish

By Marie-Louise Coster | 23 May 2025

Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, shares three methods to perfect the French manicure… A nail style that never loses popularity is the French manicure, but as a service, it often terrifies nail techs. There are many ways to achieve French tips and with practice, you will find a way that suits you.…

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The nail techs who went from online friends to podcast hosts

By Lilly Delmage | 23 May 2025

Nail techs, Rachel Coast and Evie Glows, started out as online friends within a nail tech community, and have since launched their podcast, The Nail Files. Describing the podcast as ‘relatable, uplifting and a way to facilitate connection’, the duo is passionate about entertaining nail techs with relatable and humorous content. The pair spoke to…

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Jessica Cosmetics nail brand

Gerrard International acquires Jessica Cosmetics nail brand

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

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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…

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OTHER STORIES

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…

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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…

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E-file rings of fire prevention

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…

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Pantone Color of the Year 2026 Cloud Dancer

Pantone unveils white hue, Cloud Dancer, as Color of the Year 2026

Image credit: The Development PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is Pantone’s Color of the Year 2026. The global colour authority selects…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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

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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…

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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…

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