#NowTrending: Neon butterflies by Charlotte Edwards

By Callie Iley | 8 June 2021

Scratch chats to Charlotte Edwards of Charls Nails and Beauty about her future goals and how she created this neon butterfly nail design… I did my acrylic course at Northwest Training College with Diane Senogles. I started with only a handful of clients, and then thought something was missing, so…

NAIL TECH TALK: Kayleigh Bowser of Kayleigh Creates Nails

By Callie Iley | 5 June 2021

Scratch chats to Kayleigh Bowser of Kayleigh Creates Nails about her career change from teacher to nail tech… I have always loved painting my own nails, and before I got married, a friend took me to get a set of gels done. I was instantly in love with the shine…

Behind-the-scenes of a mental health awareness photo shoot

By Scratch Staff | 10 May 2021

Nail tech and educator, Lisa Graves, shares the story behind a mental health awareness photo shoot… “The last year was a difficult one for everyone across the globe and, subsequently, awareness of mental health issues was heightened. Whenever I saw advertising or social media posts based around mental health, images…

NAIL TECH TALK: Charlie Bishop of By Charlie B

By Callie Iley | 8 May 2021

Scratch chats to Charlie Bishop of By Charlie B about her favourite nail designs and future goals… What is it about nails that has you hooked? I love how trends change all the time and how supportive people in the industry can be, even when you haven’t met. I adore…

NAIL TECH TALK: Kayley Cairns, Scratch Stars finalist 20/21

By Lilly Delmage | 7 May 2021

Kayley Cairns is a Scratch Stars Awards finalist in the Mixed Media Artist of the Year (sponsored by Magpie Beauty) and Nail Stylist of the Year (sponsored by OPI UK) categories 20/21. Here, shares her experience in the nail industry thus far, her lockdown endeavours and why she entered the…

First Leoko Cre8tive Cup launches to bring nail techs, artists & brands closer together #collaboratedonthate

By Alex Fox | 29 April 2021

The Leoko Cre8tive Cup has been created by nail tech, Leona Ko-Nkengmo with the support from her Cre8tive Collective team. “This competition is the starting point in to movement that my team and I want to start to tackle the horrendous issue of bullying within the beauty and hair industry,”…

Get a taste for technique: new masterclass membership for nail techs

By Alex Fox | 28 April 2021

For over a decade Be Inspired Online has been delivering high quality education to thousands of nail pros with its huge catalogue of courses and range of educators. But for those who aren’t ready to invest in a full course yet still want to learn something new each month, then…

NAIL TECH TALK: Delia Turville, Scratch Stars finalist 20/21

By Lilly Delmage | 28 April 2021

Scratch learns more about Delia Turville, Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year finalist 20/21, about her path to becoming a nail tech, her proudest moments and how she feels about being a finalist… Delia Turville took an alternate path to the nail industry, balancing her time between…

8 ways to tackle nail industry bullying

By Alex Fox | 27 April 2021

The truth behind a bully – an insight by UK nail tech Leo Ko-Nkengmo   by nail artist & educator, Leo Ko-Nkengmo of The Nail on Sunday blog  The hair and beauty industry has taken a beating this past year alongside other industries. The monotony of the pandemic is a…

One voice – a Staffordshire tech seeks solutions to her industry issues

By Alex Fox | 14 April 2021

I’m a nail tech in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire and I’m here to turn up my voice and do some straight talking… Apparently, £8400 is the size of the income gap people with common mental health conditions face. I bring you this fact after reading an email I received from The Money…

NAIL TECH TALK: Laura Rudge of Snatched By Lulabelles

By Callie Iley | 10 April 2021

Scratch chats to Laura Rudge of Snatched By Lulabelles about her first ever client and the importance of pushing boundaries as a nail tech… What is your all-time favourite nail product? My first thought is that I don’t have just one!  If I could only choose 5 colours to live…

NAIL TECH TALK: Gemma Anne Dawson of Gem’s Gels and Glitters

By Callie Iley | 3 April 2021

Scratch chats to Gemma Anne Dawson of Gem’s Gels and Glitters about her training and the importance of developing new skills as a nail tech… My journey in nails only really happened in 2016. Before then, I worked in a university teaching statistical analysis to undergraduate students. I’d always studied…

NAIL TECH TALK: Stephanie Connolly of Nailed it! Nails by Steph

By Callie Iley | 27 March 2021

Scratch chats to Stephanie Connolly of Nailed it! Nails by Steph about dealing with self doubt and her advice for aspiring nail techs… My favourite all time nail product is my complete Kokoist USA gel collection as they are so pigmented and apply beautifully. I’m a massive nail art fan…

UK nail brand addresses UV lamp issue thru’ quality testing with +ve results

By Alex Fox | 20 March 2021

 Champion nail artist, international educator & distributor, Hazel Dixon, founder of HD Professional Nail Systems in the UK, talks candidly about the controversy surrounding UV/LED lamp usage & how she’s successfully addressed the issue with her nail brand.   by Hazel Dixon   After the success of my HD gel…

Nailympia Online 2021 champion launches online learning

By Alex Fox | 16 March 2021

Champion nail tech and artist, Olena Oezman has launched an online nail academy. Utilising her time efficiently during the pandemic, Olena focused on creating a portal of nail education, in order to further her reach as an international nail tutor and trainer. And the timing is excellent, since taking part…