My client’s nautical-themed manicure went viral on her cruise ship holiday
Manchester nail tech, Natalie Reay, and her client, Joanne Darby, spent over twelve months planning Joanne’s nail design for her cruise holiday – a style that unexpectedly found fame among cruise-goers, sparking conversations, connections and creativity. Imagine having ‘famous’ nails. This was the experience of Joanne Darby, who turned to…
Read More
Introducing Saviour™: an expert-built brand to support nail & skin health & repair
Nail expert, educator & Scratch Stars Shooting Star Award finalist 2025, Theresa Foddering, offers Scratch an exclusive insight into the launch of her brand: Saviour™. Where did the idea for Saviour™ come from? “Saviour™ was born from years of fixing, supporting and advising on the issues we see so often in our…
Read More
Portsmouth nail pro: What I learned from mental health struggles during pregnancy
Laura Gilbert-Anderson of Basic Witch Nails shares her maternal mental health experiences and what they have taught her… I was diagnosed with a liver condition during my first pregnancy, so my baby and I had to be closely monitored. If test results weren’t good, it meant days spent at the…
Read More
Nailympia China 2025: THE RESULTS
The first Nailympia China competition was hosted in Shanghai 8-9 May, and welcomed 115 competitors across 15 categories. Hosted by nail brand, Muzer, the arena was a stunning setting for nail styling, with 27 judges lending their expertise to score on technical and artistic areas. Pros from from 15 countries…
Read More
Beyond The Brush: The nail tech community built on relationships, support & honesty
Gel nail educator & artist, Gemma Siverns, speaks to Scratch about her online community, Beyond The Brush (BTB) – a supportive, educational space she created for nail professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Gemma is a natural mentor. She began her journey in 2000, earning her…
Read More
Mindful Moments Month: Businesses unite to raise money for York women’s charity
Owner of Blossom Tree Socials, Sarah Hartley, is encouraging businesses to get involved with Mindful Moments Month to help raise funds for Kyra, a charity that supports women in making positive lifestyle changes. Why did you start Mindful Moments Month? “There are too many women feeling guilty for not having…
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
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,…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
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
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?…
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
Read the latest issue
