Nail Tech Endometriosis

Living as a nail tech with endometriosis: ‘I was heartbroken & scared of losing my nail business’

By Lilly Delmage | 31 March 2025

Scratch chats to Andover nail tech, Jo Bennett, about her experiences suffering with chronic condition, endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition which targets the uterus, causing tissue, similar to the lining of the uterus, to grow outside of it. Common symptoms include, but aren’t limited to, severe pelvic pain and extreme…

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Natural nails

Nail anatomy: essential parts of the nail every nail technician should know

By Katie Barnes | 27 March 2025

As a nail professional, it is paramount that you familiarise yourself with all parts of nail anatomy to ensure you are offering your clients a professional and thorough service. Understanding the purpose and growth of the nail The primary function of the nail is to protect the outermost bone of…

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Get inspired: Nail pro, Lucy Price-Marshall, shares her journey to dominating the nail industry

By Lilly Delmage | 9 February 2025

Natural nail specialist, OPI educator, salon manager & multi-award winner, Lucy Price-Marshall, shares her career story and how she balances various industry roles… Tell us about your journey into the nail industry… While I was at school, I worked at my mum’s nail salon, Nailspa in Huddersfield, on Saturdays, assisting…

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Inclusion Orange Cut Out

The importance of creating accessible salon spaces for clients & staff

By Abi Hassan | 12 November 2024

Abi Hassan, owner of Canterbury-based salon, Hot Wheels Nails, explores key considerations for nail techs and employers when creating accessible salon settings to suit clients and staff… As a salon owner or an independent nail technician, it is important to consider ways in which your environment could be more accessible. Transparency…

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Katie barnes half moon nail header

What it means to have half moons on your nails

By Katie Barnes | 2 November 2024

Fingernail half moons are the rounded, white shadows at the base of the nails. The industry term for this is lunula, which is Latin for ‘little moon’. The place where each nail begins growing is known as the matrix. This is where new cells are made that will make up…

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Pro Beauty North Comp 2024

Pro Beauty North Nail Competitions 2024: THE RESULTS

By Rebecca Hitchon | 1 October 2024

The Professional Beauty North (PB North) exhibition took place in Manchester Central, 29-30 September, and hosted a variety of nail competitions for professionals and students. The judging board was chaired by Marian Newman BEM, with Jacqui O’Sullivan head judge and her and Sean O’Sullivan competition directors. Also judging were Kirsty…

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Daylight Co Slimline 4 Lamp At Desk

Want to improve focus & aid precision at the nail desk? You need this Slimline Lamp from The Daylight Company

By Lilly Delmage | 1 October 2024

Improve your focus and aid precise nail styling with Slimline 4™ from The Daylight Company: a sleek, stylish and essential lamp for your nail space. Whether you’re snapping a nailfie for social media or creating intricate art on your client’s fingertips, great lighting is essential. Poor lighting can result in…

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Autumn Winter Collections

Here are the nail colour collections you need to note for autumn/winter 2024

By Lilly Delmage | 4 September 2024

As we wave goodbye to the bright hues of summer, it’s time to plan for a new season of nail potential. The autumn/winter trends will be dominated by the tortoiseshell print, black cherry hues and oranges and browns, and we’ll welcome navy and beige neutrals. Here are the nail colour…

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How to keep your nail business thriving during financially tough times

By Guest Writer | 1 September 2024

How can you keep your nail business booming, despite bruised client budgets? Elaine Watson, global education director at nail brand, Light Elegance, shares her ideas… Inflation has got everyone rethinking their spending, and a luxurious nail appointment may be on the financial chopping block. But fear not, fellow nail technicians!…

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Beauty Salon In The Spotlight

Salon in The Spotlight: BeauT, Stopsley, Luton

By Lilly Delmage | 7 August 2024

BeauT owner, Tina Vescio, welcomes Scratch into her garden getaway salon, which offers the idyllic spot for clients wanting some relaxation and tranquility… Qualifying as a beauty therapist in 2005, Tina Vescio started her beauty training over 20 years ago. Starting out as a mobile artist, the pro spent the…

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Nail Technician With E File Nail Desk

Looking for a job as a nail technician? Here are 5 tips for nailing the application process

By Michelle Brookes | 5 August 2024

Have you finished your nail course, and are looking for your first job in the professional sector? While many colleges and academies help with employability pointers, here are my top tips to nail your first application: 1. Create your CV. Your CV needs to be up-to-date, and feature information that…

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Tiktok Marketing

TikTok reveals the best marketing practices to grow small and medium businesses

By Lilly Delmage | 2 August 2024

TikTok has released a marketing guide for small to medium businesses (SMBs), to aid growth and help reach brand objectives. If you view TikTok as a marketing minefield, you aren’t alone – but TikTok has revealed some ways to use the platform as a marketing opportunity for businesses. The statistics…

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Nails By Megan Salon Spotlight

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Megan, Antrim, Belfast

By Lilly Delmage | 31 July 2024

Megan Thompson of Nails by Megan opens up the doors of her ‘dream salon’ – flaunting a minimalistic, chic interior. The 23-year-old, Belfast-based nail tech initially set her sights on becoming a make-up artist, taking a beauty therapy course at Belfast Metropolitan College. However, once introduced to the world of…

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Gelish In Frame Aw24 Lead

Get ‘In Frame’ & embrace quirks with Gelish’s 6 gel polish shades for AW24

By Lilly Delmage | 31 July 2024

Gelish is encouraging clients to put themselves ‘In Frame’ and embrace their quirks with the shades in its six-piece autumn gel polish collection. Taking inspiration from the freedom of self-expression and embracing ‘quirks, intricacies, flaws and all’, Gelish has allocated the autumn-winter period as the self-love season, flaunting three rich,…

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Estrid Empower Campaign Body Confidence Brixton Klaws

Nail tech takes ‘unique, eco-concious’ approach to body positive Estrid brand campaign

By Lilly Delmage | 30 July 2024

Vegan and cruelty-free hair removal and bodycare brand, Estrid, has marked its fifth year of body positive storytelling with a striking visual campaign. It has called upon the talents of inclusive, London-based nail artist, Brixton Klaws, to provide a sustainable, sensational approach to nail artistry on the campaign models. Aiming…

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