Nail Tech Talk: Nicola Julian of Oakwood Nails
Overcoming self-doubt to pursue a career in the nail industry, Nicola Julian of Oakwood Nails discovered her love for nail art during the pandemic before completing her training in 2021. Having had an interest in make-up, hair and nails from a young age, Nicola Julian initially pursued a career in…
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Nail Tech Talk: Tammy Fontaine of Nails By Tammy
Without an artistic background, East London-based tech, Tammy Fontaine, shares that when completing her training in 2006, she never believed she’d have the patience for nail art. “Nail art didn’t come naturally to me,” she remembers. “I trained in basic manicures and pedicures at college, gaining my NVW Level 2…
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Salon in the Spotlight: Nailed it by Jo, East Kilbride, Scotland
With a background in finance and a BA Honours in Business Management, Jo Simpson’s passion for nails and nail art remained as a hobby until 2019, when a serious infection led her to re-evaluate. “I had a long recovery and a few stays in hospital, which really made me reflect,”…
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The Great Scratch Shoot Out: Winning advice
2019 winner of The Great Scratch Shoot Out, Nina Lewis, shares her thoughts on the importance of entering competitions and why you should enter this year’s The Great Scratch Shoot Out… What are your thoughts on industry competitions? Why are they so important? I believe you need tenacity when entering…
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Salon in the Spotlight: K.M.Nails & Beauty, Wroughton
Having had dreams of entering the beauty industry for as long as she can remember, Kasey Beasley remembers watching nail art videos on YouTube and having her mum and sisters model for her practice. “I knew I had to do this as a career,” she shares. “When I left school…
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Are your gloves protecting you against nail ingredients?
In a previous blog for Scratch, we explored what gloves are needed for nail technicians and covered thickness and how often these need to be changed. In this blog, we delve deeper into chemical permeability and how to know if your gloves protect you against the chemicals which you use…
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How to successfully edit your nail photos
In a previous blog, I shared 5 top tips on improving your nail photos. In this post, I am going to share more about editing your nail photos. Editing images these days, including nail images is a controversial topic. Your nail images should show the quality and truth of your…
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Nail Tech Talk: Abi Hassan of Hot Wheels Nails
With a colourful nail art library & an equally bright personality to match, Abi Hassan, owner of Canterbury-based salon, Hot Wheels Nails, sits down with Scratch to discuss the importance of creating an inclusive & accessible salon space… “When I was a little girl, I looked up to my older…
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Salon in the Spotlight: Luxury Glam Nails & Beauty, Chorley
Curating a fresh and girly look for her salon, Vicky Lea used a pink and white palette for her salon, adding soft touches such as florals and pampas grass to soften the clinical elements. Training with NSI in 2002, Vicky Lea has been doing nails ever since. “It’s been over…
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Nail Tech Talk: Susan Steel of Susan Steel Nails
With big career dreams and a lifelong passion for nails, Susan Steel shares her nail journey & reveals her hopes for the future of Susan Steel Nails… “I’ve always loved nails and beauty from a young age, but I never realised that it would be my dream career until I…
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Discounts: Are they a good idea?
Hair & beauty business coach, Maddi Cook of Boss Your Salon, shares advice on offering discounted services to family & friends… We’ve all been faced with the dilemma of giving a discount to friends and family. While it may seem like a good deed to hook up your loved ones,…
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Salon in the Spotlight: Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty, Abertillery, South Wales
Inspired by her love for the hue, Laura Ann Francis’ cosy salon has a pink palette running throughout, using her decor to create a ‘home away from home’ for clients to enjoy. “Pink has always been my favourite colour,” Laura explains. “It was a no-brainer that the salon was going…
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Nail Tech Talk: Lilli Pullman of Lilli Paintz
A lover of all things bright, bold & outrageous, Sevenoaks-based nail artist, Lilli Pullman, reveals the details of her creative endeavours & shares her plans for the future of Lilli Paintz… Heading straight to college to complete her NVQ’s in Levels 2 and 3 upon leaving school, Lilli jumped headfirst…
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Salon in the Spotlight: GOOSE, Nottingham
Eclectic, inclusive and filled with talented pros, GOOSE’s doors were opened in 2019 by Arabella Wildgoose, a hair & beauty specialist whose training began in 2005. Since her initial training, Arabella has continued to collect an array of qualifications in her time in the industry, seeking training in nails, lashes,…
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Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Hive with Sophie & Katie, Littleborough
Upon finding the perfect space to set up her own salon, Sophie O’sullivan approached former colleague, Katie Woodworth to create The Beauty Hive with Sophie & Katie, a clean yet comfortable salon space in Greater Manchester. “I qualified in VTCT Level 3 in Nail Technology in 2017 and completed my…
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