Hair & beauty pros, determine employment status for tax with this HMRC guidance
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published guidance to help UK hair and beauty professionals determine their employment status for tax purposes. Designed to particularly support workers renting a chair or space within a salon, the guidance compiles easy-to-follow information about common hair and beauty working practices and how they…
Read More
Suffolk nail artist: ‘My salon isn’t just about treatments – it’s a whole experience’
Allie Eve, owner of The Nail Matrix, opens the doors of her bohemian sanctuary salon, unveiling a space to ‘spark creativity and escapism’. “The Nail Matrix is all about stepping out of the chaos and into a space where time slows down and the world melts away,” explains Allie. “From…
Read More
5 ways to support deaf clients in the nail salon
It is estimated that one in three people in the UK have hearing loss, highlighting the importance of making your nail space as comfortable and inclusive as possible for deaf people. Here are some methods to make your business more accommodating to clients who are hard of hearing… 1. PPE…
Read More
Inside the ‘quirky but classy’ West Yorkshire salon offering a sanctuary for nail & beauty clients
Experienced beauty pro & educator, Narelle Wharton, shares the story of her Castleford salon, Narelle Beauty… The first Covid lockdown hit soon after Narelle Wharton had discovered an ideal space for her salon business. Having struggled with the heat and lack of space when working from her conservatory previously, it…
Read More
Hull home nail salon owner: How I prioritise the mental health of clients
Lucy Allman, owner of The Nail Shed, shares about the supportive ethos of her East Yorkshire garden salon… In 2021, Lucy Allman was made redundant and welcomed a second child. It was this change in lifestyle and need for flexibility that inspired her to carve a career in the nail…
Read More
Finalists announced in 2025 nail industry awards for UK&I pros & businesses
For 12 years, Scratch magazine has been recognising excellence in the UK&I nail industry via the Scratch Stars Awards, and is proud to present the finalists for 2025. Hundreds of entries were received between February and March this year, with nail pros, teams and businesses keen to highlight their talents, passions and industry…
Read More
Pet-friendly salons: key benefits & important considerations
Have you ever considered making your salon pet-friendly? A spokesperson for luxury nail salon, Paint Nails London, shares the advantages and what you need to consider. Why did you decide to become a pet-friendly salon? We decided to become a pet-friendly salon because so many of our clients are animal…
Read More
Soho’s ‘hidden gem’: The underground spa delivering high-quality nail & beauty services
Spa manager, Charlotte Bull, tells all about Soholistic Spa at Ham Yard Hotel, London: an underground, luxury beauty space. Once a derelict space, the site of Ham Yard Hotel in the heart of dynamic Soho was transformed by the Firmdale Hotels group in 2014. Situated next to Piccadilly Circus and…
Read More
Cuticle oil: what is its purpose & how often should it be applied?
‘Remember to oil your cuticles’ is a phrase we’ve all heard countless times. But what is cuticle oil and what are its benefits? We’ve rounded up everything you need to know… Cuticle oil is a moisturising product designed to improve the health and appearance of nails and the surrounding skin.…
Read More
Living as a nail tech with endometriosis: ‘I was heartbroken & scared of losing my nail business’
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…
Read More
Working together: The mothers & children building businesses in the nail industry
The nail industry has often been described as ‘one big family’, but for many nail brand owners, techs and educators, this really is a reality. To celebrate Mother’s Day, Scratch spoke to mother-child duos and trios on how they work together within nail and beauty businesses to build success… Belinda…
Read More
Leeds salon owner: Learning to trust my team & delegate has been a game-changer
You Beauty founder, Rachel Dobson, shares her career story and how learning to delegate tasks has been critical to her success as a manager. Over the past five years, Rachel’s business has rapidly expanded and she reflects on the biggest lesson she has learned: “I tried to do everything myself…
Read More
Why do I have white spots on my nails? Causes & treatment for leukonychia
Have you noticed white spots appearing on your nails? This could be leukonychia – here’s everything you need to know… What is leukonychia? This refers to discolouration, which often appears as white dots or lines on the nail. According to book, Milady’s Art & Science Nail Technology, the cause of…
Read More
The question you should ask yourself to find success in the nail industry
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, explores the question ‘what is your why?’… Have you ever considered what your why is? Your ‘why’ is the reason or motivation behind your decisions. There is a why behind everything you do, so what is yours? This is something I talk…
Read More
Important April dates for your nail & beauty business marketing
Get your business’ marketing content prepared for the month of April, with our roundup of dates to note… 1st–30th: National Pet Month April is dedicated to celebrating and raising awareness of responsible pet ownership. Do your part in spreading awareness of the cause by uploading photos of pet paw-traits using…
Read More
Read the latest issue
