How to remove hard gel from nails without an E-file

By Guest Writer | 23 September 2025

Justyna Pryke, Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year 2015 & 2025, serves up a step-by-step guide to removing hard gel enhancements safely and effectively. Removing hard gel manually (without an E-file) can be done safely, but it requires patience and care to avoid damaging the natural nails. Here’s a…

A guide to the gel system: when & how to use & troubleshooting tips

By Lilly Delmage | 26 June 2025

Nail pros share insight on the gel system… When to use the gel system Theresa Foddering, Lecenté business development manager & Scratch Stars Shooting Star Award finalist 2025, adds: “If a client has weak or brittle nails that require extra support and strength, hard gel is a great option for enhancements.…

Gel vs gel polish nails: What’s the difference?

By Lilly Delmage | 5 March 2025

The gel and gel polish nail systems have notable differences, and serve distinct purposes at the nail desk. Understanding their uses and benefits is essential, in order to choose the right product for each client’s nail goals. The science behind gel products In the book: Nail Therapist – A Professional…

The GelBottle Inc adds 40 nail colours to HEMA-free Paint Gel Polish range

By Lilly Delmage | 11 July 2024

Popular nail brand, The GelBottle Inc (TGB), has expanded its HEMA-free Paint Gel Polish range from 10 to 50 shades. Formulated so that all clients, including those with HEMA sensitivities, can enjoy a varied colour palette, the collection has been two years in production. The non-shrink and self-levelling formula supports easy…

Get summer ready with Glitterbels’ 6 holiday-inspired gel polishes

By Lilly Delmage | 6 July 2024

The Glitterbels Getaway collection brings holiday bliss to fingertips with 6 beach-inspired gel polish shades. The six-piece Hema Free Gel Polish collection is reminiscent of crashing ocean waves, swaying palm trees and warm, golden beaches, offering clients their summer holiday fix. Reduce appointment times with these highly pigmented products; requiring just…

Want a self-levelling, vegan-friendly gel polish formula? Discover OPI GelColor’s Intelli-Gel

By Lilly Delmage | 4 July 2024

OPI has revamped its GelColor formula: now featuring Intelli-Gel technology. The formula uses a responsive gel molecule network to self-correct and self-level, offering nail professionals a helping hand in creating a flawless finish, so streaky brushstrokes can be a thing of the past. “It’s a really clever formula that is…

Dive into a sea of colour with Glitterbels’ Land To Ocean Unbelievabel Gel collection

By Callie Iley | 19 March 2024

Glitterbels has unveiled its Land To Ocean colour collection, comprising six eye-catching and versatile green and blue Unbelievabel Gel hues. Unbelievabel Gel is a file-off, highly pigmented and no-wipe gel range by Glitterbels, suited for use as gel paints to create detailed nail designs and for full colour looks over…

Nail Tech Talk: Meet Katie Dutra, gel nail artist, educator & content creator

By Callie Iley | 2 March 2024

A passionate educator determined to use her experiences to benefit other nail pros, Katie Dutra shares her career story and reveals her hopes for the future of the nail industry… With intentions of becoming a hair stylist, Katie Dutra enrolled in a full cosmetology course in 2011. However, her plans…

Meet the nail tech soaring to new heights with her dragon-inspired extreme nail creation

By Callie Iley | 30 January 2024

In a meticulous process spanning two months, Anna Sosina’s dragon nail look was created to reflect her commitment to artistry and professionalism.  Detailing the process of creating the intricate nail look, Anna reveals how her hard work on the nails came to become a stunning poster image, with the help…

Salon in the Spotlight: Gelledbygeorgia, Evesham

By Carter Rogers | 27 April 2023

Georgia Chamberlain opened the doors to her salon in August 2022 after quitting her teaching job of 5 years. “Creating pretty nails for myself was a hobby of mine, but a job I’d only ever dreamed of. The Nail Tech Org made my dream a reality when I enrolled on…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Hut, Norfolk

By Callie Iley | 13 April 2023

Sister duo, Martina and Yvette Parent, opened the doors to The Beauty Hut in July 2021 in memory of their mother, Linda Parent, who they lost to Covid in June 2020. “This business means everything to us and we’re trying our hardest to make it successful for our mum,” they…

Nail Tech Talk: Hannah Miles of Nails By Han

By Callie Iley | 28 January 2023

Sheffield-based tech, Hannah Miles of Nails By Han, sits down with Scratch to share her nail journey and her 2023 career goals.  Hannah’s interest in nails was sparked at around 13 or 14 years old, doing her own nails after school. She rekindled her love for nails during lockdown. “Like…

Whitney Houston film inspires Gelish & Morgan Taylor’s 6 new nail shades

By Callie Iley | 22 November 2022

Whitney Houston film inspires Gelish & Morgan Taylor’s 6 new nail shades Gelish and Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer have unveiled the six-piece ‘I Wanna Dance’ collection in collaboration with Sony Pictures. The limited edition shades are inspired by the life and stardom of the late Whitney Houston, and times with…

Salon in the Spotlight: BW Beauty, Lincoln

By Callie Iley | 20 October 2022

Salon in the Spotlight: BW Beauty, Lincoln Laura Boucher-Walker trained in gel polish manicure in 2018, soon setting up her home salon. “After being open for a little while, I began having to turn clients away who wanted nail enhancements, so I decided to train in acrylic and acrygel to…

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap September 2022

By Callie Iley | 4 October 2022

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Brigitta Fajt.  In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for September & created nail designs inspired by ‘Lovely Lilies’ in the bid to win a prize from INK London. Judged by Scratch’s news & features writer, Callie…