25 nail ideas to help banish the January blues
It’s January, the month that feels like a year, when cold weather and dark skies combine to create a subpar atmosphere. But do not fear, there is hope! Let the light shine from your fingertips with smile-inducing nail styles and positive polish palettes. Here are some ideas to help bring…
Step inside the Taunton beauty salon opening its doors to a new era
Sorella Collective – a beauty salon nestled within Taunton’s Independent Quarter – is the culmination of years of experience, love and skill. Founders, Charlotte Murphy and Catherine Bunning, detail how the Somerset enterprise blossomed, and what is so special about their slice of luxury… The journey Sorella Collective brings together…
5 ways to wear Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026 on nails
Global colour authority, Pantone, has revealed its hotly anticipated Colour of the Year for 2026, and it might surprise you… Cloud Dancer is set to be 2026’s star shade, with Pantone describing it as a ‘lofty white whose aerated presence acts as a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy…
SalonIQ expands internationally with UAE nail brand partnership
SalonIQ – a salon software provider created by salon professionals – has expanded internationally via new collaborations, including with a UAE-based nail polish and accessories brand. SalonIQ offers a range of business management solutions, including marketing, team engagement, client experience and e-commerce options – designed to help salons automate their…
Bangle nails: what is the nail trend & how is it achieved?
Pinterest Predicts 2026 stated that we should ‘expect rubberised nail art and 3D jewellery’ to become a huge trend this year – and we are off to a flying start with the rise of ‘bangle nails’. Scratch breaks down the bangle buzz and shares some nail inspiration… Nails are widely…
10 chic celebrity nail looks from the Golden Globes 2026
Lead image courtesy of Instagram.com/byjuanalvear & Instagram.com/chuenails The 83rd annual Golden Globes took place on 11 January in Beverly Hills, California. The event welcomed a wide range of celebrities, celebrating the best of film and television. The star-studded red carpet saw a spectrum of styles, with nail looks ranging from…
Experts share how nail techs can prioritise mental & emotional wellbeing
Scratch turned to industry experts to curate a selection of practical tips and products to promote mental and emotional workplace wellbeing. Mental and emotional wellbeing are imperative for long-term career viability and satisfaction, yet many beauty professionals are so busy juggling client requests, social media and business admin that they…
15 garnet nail design ideas inspired by the January birthstone
Garnet, a durable gemstone most commonly known for its striking red iteration, is the birthstone of the first month of the year. Though it can be found in hues such as green, orange and pink, garnet is most famously a deep, rich ruby shade. The precious stone is said to…
TGB Academy partners with nail & beauty business management platform, Solo
TGB Academy – the education arm of nail brand, The GelBottle Inc, has partnered with booking and business management platform for beauty professionals, Solo. The partnership hopes to ’empower ambitious nail professionals to refine their operations, protect their profits and delivery a premium client experience’. “Our community constantly asks us…
Nail techs reveal 2026 nail trend predictions
Check out entries to the 7 January 2026 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: 2026 trend prediction. From ‘clean girl’ nudes to bold neons, and cat eye to chrome, nail pros predict a plethora of textures, finishes and…
Step inside the Southampton nail salon specialising in bridal manicures
Before discovering her passion for nail artistry during lockdown, salon owner, Georgia Steel, worked as a property manager. The extended time indoors led her to explore a new hobby – one that soon evolved into a deep love for nails. “I qualified in 2022, completing my introductory gel manicure training…
How can nail techs prioritise physical wellbeing in the salon?
Scratch turned to industry experts to curate a selection of products and practical tips to promote physical workplace wellbeing. “Beauty professionals invest immense emotional and physical energy into their craft. “Long hours, repetitive movements and the constant pressure to show up for others can lead to emotional and physical depletion,”…
Nails to wear based on your January full moon horoscope
3 January 2026 will see the rise of the final supermoon in a series of four. The powerful full moon, named the Wolf Moon, falls in the sign of Cancer, elevating sensitivity and a need for emotional balance. While Capricorn season continues in the background, urging us to work hard…
Cat eye & velvet nails: what’s the difference & how are they created?
2025 has seen the rise of textured nail finishes, with cat eye and velvet nail looks dominating salon styles. But what is the difference between the two seemingly similar designs, and how can they be created? Cat eye and velvet nails boast a lot of similarities, including products used and…
Nail content creation: do you need the latest phone to succeed?
Sussex-based nail content creator & Scratch columnist, Zoya Mac, reveals why you don’t need the newest phone to create great content… When the iPhone 17 launched, I did what many people do: I scrolled through the specifications and became tempted to purchase. But if you’re trying to improve your content…
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