How to plan & execute your goals for the year ahead

By Metta Francis | 14 January 2020

I love the New Year as I find it the perfect time to reflect, reset and set intentions for the months ahead. If you’ve not yet had the time to do this, I highly recommend you block out your diary, treat yourself to some lovely new stationery, get comfy and…

Ilona Vasiliauskiene shares her career story & highlights

By Kat Hill | 11 January 2020

Fresh from scooping third place in Scratch’sphotographic nail competition, The Great Scratch Shoot Out 2019, Ilona Vasiliauskiene is keen to share her passion for competing through her role as an educator at her international nail training centre, ONIKSAS. “My career started in 2015 when I sought my first manicure course,” she explains. “In…

Nailympia announces European Cup for 2020

By Kat Hill | 6 January 2020

Nailympia has announced a new accolade for this year: the Nailympia European Cup 2020. The winner will be calculated by scores taken from the Stiletto, Joy Of Nails, Salon Nails and Reality Nails categories at the European competitions in Estonia and London. The winner will be awarded at Nailympia London…

Nailympia Canada 2019: THE RESULTS

By Alex Fox | 11 November 2019

The first ever Canadian edition of Nailympia took place in Saskatoon 9-10 November, with entrants from Japan, Poland, Vietnam, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, Germany, the UK and the USA. Hosted by Aigul Fritzke & Karen Dunn, 161 competition seats were taken in 11 categories, with 43 competitors amassing to demonstrate their…

6 reasons why nail competitions can help your salon work

By Katie Barnes | 15 October 2019

Sometimes, it really is the taking part that counts. If you do not win a nail competition, there is always something to learn. Setting aside the element of placing, competing in nail competitions -whether live or portfolio based – can be hugely beneficial to your salon work. While the significance…

Nailympia London 2019: THE RESULTS

By Alex Fox | 2 October 2019

A whopping 878 competition seats were taken in the 15th Nailympia London competition, held at Olympia Beauty, London 28-30 September 2019. In the biggest Nailympia to date, techs took to the floor to show off their skills in categories including Runway Nails, The Joy of Nails with Bling! Salon Nails,…

Nailympia crowns Global Champion 2019

By Helena Biggs | 2 October 2019

Joanna Bandurska from Poland has been crowned Nailympia Global Champion 2019. In a close contest against Germany’s Olena Özman, Joanna amassed the most points in the Stiletto, L&P Acrylic Sculpture and UV Gel Tip & Overlay categories at Nailympia competitions in Estonia, Orlando and London. She was presented with the…

WINNERS ANNOUNCED: The Scratch Stars Awards 2019

By Helena Biggs | 21 July 2019

The winners of the prestigious Scratch Stars Awards 2019 were revealed at a glittering ceremony in London on Sunday 21 July. Over 350 guests gathered at Proud, Embankment, to enjoy a fun-filled evening hosted by Rylan Clark-Neal, with performances from R&B boy band, Damage and an incredible acrobat. The evening…

Here’s what happened at Slovenian nail competition, Nail Design 2019

By Scratch Staff | 25 June 2019

Multi-award winner and founder of Nabuno, Sue Davies, reveals nail tales from a trip to Slovenia, at which she lent her judging expertise to the Nail Design 2019 competition… Last winter, I received a message from a nail buddy, Mojca Janezic, from Slovenia. Mojca owns Akademija Studio Lepota – a…

Behind-the-scenes at the Scratch Stars Awards 2019 judging day – part 1

By Helena Biggs | 16 June 2019

While the mid-June weather presented competitors and judges with a downpour on their travels into London, it certainly didn’t dampen spirits – as the first of the two Scratch Stars Awards judging days for 2019 finalists saw passion, creativity and enthusiasm come alive. Split into two days, the first judging…

Nailympia Estonia 2019: THE RESULTS

By Scratch Staff | 13 May 2019

The second Nailympia Estonia took place 10-12 May 2019 at Beauty World, Talinn, and attracted 69 competitors from 16 countries. 320 competition seats were taken and the results are as follows: SOAK OFF GEL MANICURE Division 1 1st – Aleksandra Karnosova – Finland 2nd – Agne Montivilaite – Lithuania 3rd…

Finalists announced in nail industry’s Scratch Stars Awards competition

By Helena Biggs | 6 May 2019

Over 1000 entries and nominations were submitted into the 2019 Scratch Stars Awards, making it the most competitive year to date. After a tough initial judging process, the finalists have been revealed in each of the 18 categories, below. Each finalist has received information about the next stage in the…

Kayley Cairns scoops Nail Professional of the Year title

By Helena Biggs | 26 February 2019

Essex-based nail technician and educator, Kayley Cairns, was awarded the Nail Professional of the Year title at the Professional Beauty Awards 2019. Held at The Brewery in London on Sunday 24 February, the awards saw 11 categories spanning beauty, spa and business. The black-tie ceremony kicked off with a  Champagne…

Scratch Stars Awards: Your questions answered!

By Helena Biggs | 1 February 2019

Scratch editor & Scratch Stars Awards organiser, Helena Biggs, answers your questions about the Scratch Stars Awards 2019… Q: What is it and who should enter? The Scratch Stars Awards is run by Scratch magazine and recognises UK-based nail techs, bloggers, teams, salons and spas across 18 categories. There really…

Hazel Dixon on entering photographic comps

By Kat Hill | 14 November 2018

Award winning tech, educator and Scratch front cover creator, Hazel Dixon, reveals how nail photographic competitions helped her to  success and why you should get snapping too. “I’m always asked what makes a good front cover”, Hazel explains, “and what is needed to enter photographic competitions. “Competing, in general, has been…