From student to success: how mentorship shapes nail industry talent
Lead image: nails courtesy of Instagram.com/beautybyalafair_ Alafair Shove of @beautybyalafair_ is a 19-year-old self-employed pro who has been blossoming in the nail industry for three years. She shares the secrets to her success… Kent-based beauty business owner, Alafair, has gone from strength to strength over the last three years. From…
5 tips to make gel nails last longer
Check out our advice to make gel manicures and pedicures go the distance… 1. Listen to a nail professional This is arguably the most important tip of all. Think of nail techs as personal trainers for long-lasting manis, pedis and nail health, as they know what they are talking about!…
22 tartan nail designs for the perfect plaid polish
Widely known for its Scottish origins, plaid – also referred to as tartan – is a geometric pattern consisting of horizontal and vertical lines that overlap each other with varying degrees of transparency. Though Scotland is thought of as the ‘birthplace’ of tartan, historians have found samples tracing back to…
Upscale your nail art skills with 50 designs inspired by reptiles
Check out entries to the 22 October 2025 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Reptiles. Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge. Follow Scratch on Instagram and Facebook for future Creative Challenges – launching every other Wednesday.
16 stunning nail designs for Scorpio season
22 October to 21 November marks the season of Scorpio. The eighth astrological sign, Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto, and those born within this celestial period are said to have traits such as fierce passion, determination, intuition and mystery. Often described as magnetic characters that others are drawn…
30 beautiful brown nail art ideas for the perfect mocha mani
We are officially back in brown, baby! As one of the nail shade stars of the autumn/winter season, it is only right that we round up some earthy inspo to aid mocha manicures…
The Solihull beauty salon celebrating a decade of success
Charlotte Walton ventured into the nail industry with passion and purpose, qualifying with Izabelle Hammon in 2008. Over seven years, she built her client base from her home studio before making the leap to owning her own salon. Cutie-cals, Charlotte’s beauty space in Solihull, is now celebrating a decade of…
Dua Lipa nails: The star’s most marvellous mani moments
Featured image courtesy of Instagram.com/dualipa. From gem-bellished tips to polka dot perfection, Dua Lipa‘s nail looks are notorious for their innovation, trend-setting and creativity. Often crafted by the singer’s go-to nail artist, Michelle Humphrey of @nailsbymh, each set tends to top the trend cycle, providing inspiration for nailists everywhere. Scratch…
The GelBottle Inc introduces Hard BIAB™ to aid nail length & durability
The GelBottle Inc, the nail brand behind the popular BIAB™ (Builder In A Bottle™) enhancement product, has launched an evolution of the builder gel: one that is engineered to meet client demands for durability, length and smooth application. Hard BIAB™ is a hybrid formula that combines the strength of hard…
21 nail designs for Breast Cancer Awareness
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an incredibly important campaign which aims to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Check out entries to the 8 October 2025 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Breast Cancer Awareness. Each nail…
Step inside the Bristol nail salon prioritising care, calm & confidence
Molly Gregory began nail tech life as a mobile pro, upon qualifying in 2018. After deciding that she wanted a base to work from, she successfully applied to work at a local nail salon, where she stayed until late 2020. After having her son in 2021, Molly ‘made the leap…
24 Halloween nail products for superior spooky season styles
It’s spooky season! For many nail techs, this time of year is an opportunity to get creative with colour, texture and design. To do so, they need an arsenal of spooktacular products. Have a look at Scratch‘s Halloween haul to create top-notch talons…
5 colours everyone will be wearing on their nails this autumn
During each season, certain colours gain popularity. These hues are normally based on events and the general aesthetic of the time of year. Autumn 2025 is epitomised by five distinct shades: 1. Navy blue A sophisticated, versatile shade within the autumn colour palette, navy is a seasonal staple. The hue…
BuffBloom reinvents the nail buffer, evolving the legacy of original creator
In 1973, Jack Woodiwiss left his marketing career at a grinding wheels manufacturer in Staffordshire to begin his own business: developing foam-coated abrasives. These included a sanding block, which gained traction amongst large US companies and became a staple in the home improvement and auto repair sectors. Jack’s company, Abrapower…
30 flirty heart nail designs to get your pulse racing
The classic heart: an evergreen symbol of love and affection that also happens to be incredibly aesthetically pleasing. Though February is the heart’s peak time, nail designs featuring the cute emblem are a yes year-round! Here are 30 inspo pics that will set your heart aflutter…
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