Why confidence is key to your beauty business’ success & how to build it

By Hannah Beth Clayton | 22 July 2025

Nail educator & business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares the importance of confidence as a beauty pro… When beauty professionals come to me struggling with content, visibility or lack of bookings, it nearly always boils down to one thing: confidence. Confidence is the foundation for organic growth. It’s what allows you…

7 tips to enhance wellbeing in the nail space

By Rebecca Hitchon | 29 June 2025

Your role involves supporting the self-care needs of others, but how often do you consider your own wellbeing? While it may be the last thing on your mind during a busy day at the nail desk, it’s crucial – as Elissa Newton, Lecenté educator for Northern Ireland, notes: “If even…

Crowland log cabin nail salon: “My clients love being surrounded by nature”

By Lilly Delmage | 28 June 2025

As’ka Baran, owner of Crowland-based nail salon, Holistic Health & Beauty, opens the doors to her unique space – a log cabin nestled in the corner of her garden. “Working from a log cabin brings a sense of connection with the earth and nature,” shares As’ka. “Clients often comment that…

5 TikTok nail trend names debunked: princess nails, sorbet nails & more

By Lilly Delmage | 28 June 2025

Every day there seems to be a new name for a nail style, whether that be ‘princess nails’, ‘sorbet nails’ or even ‘glazed doughnut’ nails – so let’s break down what five key trend names mean… Do you often hear requests at the nail desk and find yourself wondering, ‘What…

Lecenté expands nail product offering with coloured rubber builder gels

By Lilly Delmage | 27 June 2025

Kent-based nail brand, Lecenté, has unveiled product line, FLEXE: a range six of coloured builder gels in neon shades. Designed to offer both performance and creativity, the buildable formula caters to clients with flaky, bendy, thin and splitting nails. The product anchors to the natural nail, and its flexible nature…

A guide to the gel system: when & how to use & troubleshooting tips

By Lilly Delmage | 26 June 2025

Nail pros share insight on the gel system… When to use the gel system Theresa Foddering, Lecenté business development manager & Scratch Stars Shooting Star Award finalist 2025, adds: “If a client has weak or brittle nails that require extra support and strength, hard gel is a great option for enhancements.…

How to achieve a work-life balance as a beauty professional in summer

By Guest Writer | 24 June 2025

Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares advice for achieving a work-life balance this summer… Summer is upon us and I am so excited for the coming months. Seeing seasonal nail designs puts me in the best mood and makes me want to have fun in…

Important July dates for your nail & beauty business

By Lilly Delmage | 23 June 2025

Get your business prepared for the month of July, with our roundup of dates to note… UV Safety Month Each July, UV Safety Month serves to educate the public about the importance of protecting themselves from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly in the summer months when UV…

Discover the Wales nail salon inside the Brecon Beacons National Park

By Lilly Delmage | 22 June 2025

Owner of Nails by Sam, Sam Devereux, opens the doors to her nail salon, located in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. “My salon is based in my back garden, which is away from roads and completely private. We’re very lucky to live in the middle of the Brecon Beacons…

Powys nail salon: where rustic charm meets luxury beauty treatments

By Lilly Delmage | 7 June 2025

Jodie Evans, owner of Wales salon, Nail Envy, speaks to Scratch about the journey of building her thriving nail business. “Nail Envy is designed to feel like a luxurious home-from-home, combining rustic charm with modern elegance,” says Jodie. “The interior features brickwork, warm wood tones and plush velvet chairs –…

I invited my salon team to create nails for Cannes Film Festival

By Lilly Delmage | 3 June 2025

The Nail & Beauty Lounge owner, Julie McCabe, takes us behind the scenes of her Cannes Film Festival experience, where she and her salon team delivered manicures and pedicures. The team at Poulton-le-Fylde-based salon, The Nail & Beauty Lounge, were called upon by owner, Julie McCabe, to provide the manicures and…

The history of nail colour & design: everything you need to know

By Lilly Delmage | 1 June 2025

Nail colour and design have become one of the most popular outlets for creativity and self-expression within the beauty industry. But where did it all begin, and how has it evolved over time? Here’s Scratch‘s deep dive into the history of the industry… 1920s & 1930s According to research revealed…

Award-winning Dorset beauty salon on the challenges & benefits of renovating period properties

By Rebecca Hitchon | 31 May 2025

Recently relocating to the town of Beaminster, The Painted Nail is a salon and academy comprising two period properties. “I felt it was time to relocate the business, as we had outgrown our previous space,” says owner, Toni Rodway. “After searching for a new property for months, I fell in…

Having a niche as a nail tech: is it important?

By Lilly Delmage | 24 May 2025

Whether your skills focus is natural nailcare, premium pedis or portrait painting, Scratch investigates the importance of identifying and capitalising on your expertise… What is a niche? ‘Niche’ is a business term used to describe a focused approach to offering goods and services, and tailoring them to a specific consumer…

The nail techs who went from online friends to podcast hosts

By Lilly Delmage | 23 May 2025

Nail techs, Rachel Coast and Evie Glows, started out as online friends within a nail tech community, and have since launched their podcast, The Nail Files. Describing the podcast as ‘relatable, uplifting and a way to facilitate connection’, the duo is passionate about entertaining nail techs with relatable and humorous…