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UK & Ireland nail industry awards opens for entry

By Helena Biggs | 1 February 2024

Embrace the opportunity to join an elite group of salons and industry professionals and enter the Scratch Stars Awards, which recognises excellence in the UK&I nail sector. Dubbed ‘the Oscars of the nail industry’, the Scratch Stars Awards has returned for a 12th year, recognising excellence, passion and skill in…

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Scratch front cover vote

Revealed: Scratch magazine’s most-loved cover of 2023

By Scratch Staff | 4 January 2024

Scratch is renowned for its striking, nail-focused front covers that have grabbed attention since the magazine’s launch in May 2003. But which was the most-loved cover of 2023? Readers were invited to vote for their favourite image from 1-31 December, and the results showed the varied and eclectic tastes of…

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Scratch Snap September 2023 Winner Header

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap September 2023

By Callie Iley | 26 September 2023

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Stephanie Mlynek. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for September & created nail designs inspired by the theme ‘September Swirls’ in the bid to win a prize from Michelle Brookes Training Academy. Judged…

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Shoot out lead

How to organise a nail photoshoot in 10 steps

By Chloe Randall | 8 August 2023

Entering Scratch’s annual photographic nail competition – The Great Scratch Shoot Out? Here we reveal ten top tips for a smooth shoot day and beyond… Choose your concept Unleash your creativity and showcase your originality, style and imagination with your concept. One the most important factors of your shoot, your theme…

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Scratch Stars winners pic

PHOTO GALLERY: The Scratch Stars Party 2023

By Helena Biggs | 24 July 2023

For a decade, Scratch magazine has been recognising talented individuals and businesses in the UK nail sector via the Scratch Stars Awards. For 2023, the awards were open to techs and businesses in the Republic of Ireland, as well as across the globe, via the launch of The World’s Star…

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Nina SHOOT OUT WEB

The Great Scratch Shoot Out: Winning advice

By Scratch Staff | 22 July 2023

2019 winner of The Great Scratch Shoot Out, Nina Lewis, shares her thoughts on the importance of entering competitions and why you should enter this year’s The Great Scratch Shoot Out… What are your thoughts on industry competitions? Why are they so important? I believe you need tenacity when entering…

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WSNA featured image Marija Deniz

Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: MARIJA DENIZ, Denmark

By Scratch Staff | 11 May 2023

Marija Deniz is a nail artist from Sjaelland, Denmark, and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her… What’s your background in nails? I have had a passion for creativity and design since childhood, and the nail industry allows me to express…

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Sarah Fontaine featured image WSNA23

Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: SARAH FONTAINE, CANADA

By Scratch Staff | 8 May 2023

Sarah Fontaine is a nail pro from British Columbia, Canada, and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her… What’s your background in nails? Nail art and I go way back! I have been a nail lover all my life and…

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Scratch Stars Awards 2023

Finalists announced in nail industry’s 11th Scratch Stars Awards

By Helena Biggs | 10 April 2023

An overwhelming number of entries from were submitted into the 11th Scratch Stars Awards, which recognises passion, skill & customer care within the UK&I nail sector. Nail techs, salon owners, mentors and educators submitted testimonials and imagery 1-28 February, and Monday 10 April revealed five finalists in each of the…

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Mino vo column feb23

The importance of rules & questions in nail competitions

By Guest Writer | 23 March 2023

Every nail competition has its own set of rules, and rules can change from year to year. Ensuring that you read the rules and understand them perfectly is an imperative part of the competing process, whether you are new to competitions or a seasoned pro, shares multi award-winning nail aficionado,…

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FNP Pro Beauty comp March

THE RESULTS: PB/The FNP Nail Competitions – March 2023

By Helena Biggs | 8 March 2023

The Federation of Nail Professionals (The FNP) hosted the nail competitions at industry event, Professional Beauty, 5-6 March, with 170 competition seats taken across eight core categories. Competition directors, Jacqui and Sean O’Sullivan, administered and judged the events, and were joined by fellow judges, Marian Newman, Kirsty Meakin, Amie Heary,…

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Scratch Stars awards winners group shot

Scratch Stars: Entry opens for UK&I nail industry awards 2023

By Helena Biggs | 1 February 2023

Nail pros, salons, industry supporters & social media starlets – it’s time to step into the prestigious nail competition arena and see if you can be recognised with a Scratch Star Award… For 10 years, Scratch magazine has championed nail professionals and businesses in the UK nail industry by awarding…

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Scratch Snap Dec 22 winner header

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap December 2022

By Callie Iley | 23 December 2022

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Shannon Sweet. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for December & created nail designs inspired by ‘Festive Fun’ in the bid to win a prize from Nailchemy. Judged by Scratch‘s copywriter, Callie Iley, and…

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Nail salon tech stock image

Revealed: How to deal with competition from other beauty businesses

By Guest Writer | 20 November 2022

How to deal with competition from other beauty businesses Founder of Beauty Boss HQ, Layla Tourh, shares how to deal with competition from other nail & beauty businesses… Who is your competition? Is it the salon across the road? Is it that new place that opened up next door? Or…

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Nailympia London 2022: Winners announced

By Helena Biggs | 3 October 2022

The 16th Nailympia London competition took place in a hybrid format – with categories available to enter online, as well as in person at the two-day Olympia Beauty exhibition. Competitors from all over the globe entered across three divisions, and the winners were announced at a ceremony on stage at…

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