GENERAL RULES

• The Scratch Stars Awards 2025 is open to:
  a) nail professionals actively working for over 15 hours a week in the UK or ROI.
  b) salons and spas operating in the UK or ROI.
  c) businesses/persons located in the UK or ROI that support nail professionals or nail businesses.
• All entrants must have commenced trade in the UK or ROI on or before 1 February 2025 (12 months or more) and have valid, relevant insurance and a UK/ROI recognised nail qualification.
• Salons must have been trading from the specified address since 1 February 2025 to be eligible to enter.
• No family members or employees of Scratch or Seed Publishing’s associated brands can enter.
• An individual can enter a maximum of two tech awards.
• All nail technician entrants must be over the age of 18 at the time of entry.
• All professional entrants must hold a recognised nail qualification, dated prior to 1 February 2025 (12 months or more).
• All finalists must hold valid insurance during their time in the competition (up to and including 5 July 2026).
• Each salon/spa can enter EITHER Nail Salon of the Year or Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year or Home Salon of the Year, depending on the criteria mentioned on each entry form. Each salon/spa/business can also enter Nail Team of the Year and Social Media Star of the Year alongside one of the aforementioned awards.
• Entry photographs must not be digitally enhanced or feature filters or text overlay/watermarks. Any photographs deemed to be digitally enhanced will be disqualified.
• Entries will be checked for AI (artificial intelligence) input. If an entry contains more than 20% AI-detected content, it will be disqualified.
• All entrants must declare that their entry photographs are authentic and their own work and the questions answered truthfully.
• The entry deadline is final (midnight 15 March 2026). No late entries will be accepted.

JUDGING

• Nail technician entrants will be informed if they are a finalist on 6 April 2026. Finalists in the artistic and technical categories must attend the competition day in Stockport on Monday 11 May 2026 as part of the judging process. They must specify by 10 April 2026 if they are NOT able to attend, and as such will forfeit their finalist position.
• Artistic & technical category finalists must supply their own model for the competition day in Stockport if required on 11 May 2026.
• Artistic & technical category finalists must specify whether they have additional needs e.g. accessibility requirements or wish to bring a translator at least two weeks in advance of the practical judging day on 11 May 2026.
• The judges’ decision is final. Judges will not be allowed to enter into direct communication with entrants in reference to the awards while the judging period is underway.
• Due to the volume of entrants, no feedback will be available on general entry submissions.
• Judges' feedback and scores will be sent to Scratch Stars Awards finalists within six weeks of the party.

MARKETING & EVENTS

• Finalists agree that their headshot and submitted video and images can be used in relevant Scratch Stars Awards materials (such as editorial features and on the Scratch website) and on awards party assets. If they do not agree, they must state on the entry form.
• Attendees to the Scratch Stars Party on 5 July 2025 must be aged 18 years or over. Scratch magazine bears no responsibility for attendees refused entry by the venue.
• Winners and finalists must refer to their titles as ‘Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year sponsored by LE UK’ for example – listing the Scratch Stars organisation and the sponsor – when speaking/writing of the awards or commenting to press.
• Scratch Stars entrants agree that their email address can be submitted to the sponsor of the category entered.
• All Scratch Stars Awards rules and assets are detailed in English and it is the responsibility of the finalist to ensure they understand all requirements of the competition.

www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/scratchstars

Questions? Email scratchstars@scratchmagazine.co.uk

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