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…
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Nail tech’s maternal mental health struggles: ‘Talking & finding support saved my life’
New Mexico tech, Amberley Robinson, aka The Nail Tattooist, opens up about her maternal mental health experiences… When my first child was six months old, I juggled roles as a full-time beauty student and breastfeeding mum. Leaving my son with a caregiver each day made me feel heartbroken and guilty,…
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Midwife & nail tech: ‘Whether in a delivery room or my nail studio, I love supporting women’
Meet Leila Zahedi: a midwife, nail tech & co-founder of Better Births London – best known as The Midwives in Your Pocket® (MIYP®), a WhatsApp support service offering real-time, compassionate guidance seven days per week. Born in Iran, Leila moved to London and was raised by her single mother and…
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6 essential tips for nail techs to protect their physical health
Swiss beauty brand, Mavala, offers its top tips for beauty professionals to protect their physical health and wellbeing whilst working demanding roles… In the beauty industry, technicians play a crucial role in boosting the wellbeing of clients. However, Mavala has noticed the little focus shed on the wellness and self-care…
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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…
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I’m a nail tech that developed a gel allergy: here’s my advice
Sophie Pritchard, founder of Creative Claws salon and academy in Anglesey, Wales, shares about her allergy experiences and lessons learned… I’ve been part of the nail industry for about 13 years and things have changed a lot since I joined. PPE wasn’t really a thing when I started out. Gloves? Dust extractors?…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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Master ‘nailfies’ as a nail tech with these expert photography tips
The ultimate guide to everything you need to know as a nail tech who wants to capture high-quality nail photos… First impressions matter. Blurry, dark or low-resolution photos can make it difficult for social media users to properly appreciate your nail creations, which could impact whether they decide to book…
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How to avoid stress when clients offload at the nail desk
Suzy Reading, psychologist & wellness expert for the British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmetology (BABTAC), shares top tips for managing mental stress from being a soundboard for clients… “The energetic and emotional toll of listening to clients’ problems needs to be recognised and addressed as part of basic training,”…
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The celebrity-approved spring nail colours to note
Spring nail looks are taking over our socials, with celebrities showcasing styles with a fresh colour palette. Here’s all the seasonal nail shade inspiration you need… Milky lavender Singer & actress, Selena Gomez, opted for a milky lilac hue – complementing her pastel trousers. Her go-to tech, Tom Bachik, was…
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Nailympia Germany 2025: THE RESULTS
The fourth edition of Nailympia Germany was hosted at Beauty Düsseldorf, 28-30 March, in partnership with Signature Nail International and powered by Scratch magazine. The event welcomed 57 competitors via 11 arena and five online categories, and 20 countries were represented, with 237 competition seats taken. The esteemed international judging panel…
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