Katie barnes nail shapes

How to file 5 different nail shapes for your clients

By Katie Barnes | 7 January 2021

Educator, former Scratch columnist and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, reveals how to file various nail shapes for your client… When filing nail shapes on enhancements, it is important to remember that the way your form is fitted and how you build the product is paramount for the correct shape and longevity of the…

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Are UV & LED nail lamps safe?

By Guest Writer | 7 January 2021

Globally renowned scientist and nail expert, Doug Schoon, explores the safety concerns surrounding UV nail lamps… The facts that I will outline below demonstrate that UV curing nail lamps are safe, despite attacks by the misinformed media, fear-mongers and TV celebrity doctors. This controversy started in 2009 when two dermatologists…

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From stage to salon..training as a nail tech during covid-19

By Chloe Randall | 5 January 2021

Jody Zimmerman decided to train as a nail tech when the global pandemic hit, affecting her career in the arts as a musical theatre performer. She explains how she came to the decision to retrain and how she has found the industry so far…  “Training as a nail technician is…

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Apply now: Get your skills recognised with a PHAB Service Star

By Helena Biggs | 5 January 2021

Do you offer exemplary treatments & great customer care? See if you could be recognised with a PHAB Service Star, an accolade launched by Nergish Wadia-Austin, esteemed international business management training & beauty industry consultant. “The PHAB Service Stars initiative gives salon, spa and barbering professionals elevated status and a…

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#NowTrending: Opulent opals by Ashlie Sellers

By Callie Iley | 3 January 2021

Scratch chats to Ashlie Sellers of Lacquer Love about her future plans and how she created this dreamy opal design.   I am a very new nail tech, having only been qualified since December 2019. I had previously attended art school and have a passion for the structure created with…

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TECH TALK: Michaela Phillips of Gelalicious

By Callie Iley | 1 January 2021

Scratch chats with Michaela Phillips of Gelalicious about the most exciting parts of the nail industry and how she sources her inspiration for her nail work… I’ve always had a passion for nails since a young age. I would buy the Boots 17 range nail art pens and practise designs.…

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TECH TALK: Nadia Rouch of Nadia’s Beauty Box

By Callie Iley | 19 December 2020

Scratch chats with Nadia Rouch of Nadia’s Beauty Box about her average day as a nail tech and her love for creativity.       My all time favourite nail product has to be The Gel Bottle’s Builder in a Bottle. 90% of all my manicures now have Builder in…

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#NowTrending: Green & gold cog nails by Charlotte Vizor

By Callie Iley | 15 December 2020

Scratch chats to Charlotte Vizor of Nailed it by Chaz about her love for being a nail tech, as she describes how to create this gorgeous green and gold design. Please detail your background in nails… “My nail career blossomed from a hobby. When I first started falling in love…

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TECH TALK: Rachel Willis of Rachel Willis Nails & Education

By Callie Iley | 12 December 2020

Scratch catches up with Rachel Willis of Rachel Willis Nails & Education about her journey through the nail world and her passion for teaching & learning… I have over 30 nail training certificates; including beginners’ manicure, to extreme nail shapes and nail art. My first course was an online L&P…

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TECH TALK: Isadora Borges Sá of Caliente Nails

By Callie Iley | 5 December 2020

Scratch chats with Isadora Borges Sá of Caliente Nails, based in Porto District, Portugal, about her passion for her nail business and her inspiration sources when creating gorgeous nail art creations. What is it about nails that has you hooked? I really can’t believe how much nails have changed my life.…

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#NowTrending: Stunning snakeskin nails by Shannon Rae Smyth

By Callie Iley | 1 December 2020

Scratch chats with Shannon Rae Smyth of Shannon Rae Nail Artist about her love for nails, as she explains how she created this striking snakeskin nail design…   I started doing nails as a hobby; having always had both an interest in, and a passion for nail design. I spent…

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TECH TALK: Hannah Taylor of Hannah Taylor Beauty & Makeup

By Callie Iley | 28 November 2020

Scratch chats to Magpie Beauty brand ambassador, Hannah Taylor of Hannah Taylor Beauty & Makeup about her career and future goals. Tell us about your nail career so far… My name is Hannah, and I’m a nail tech, make-up artist and beauty therapist. I’ve been working in the industry since…

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Marian Newman BEM founds Federation of Nail Professionals to raise sector standards

By Helena Biggs | 28 November 2020

Nail industry and education advocate, Marian Newman BEM, and a board of industry peers, have officially launched The Federation of Nail Professionals (The FNP) today (28 November). The not-for-profit organisation is focused on supporting and raising the standards of practice, education, knowledge and development for UK nail professionals. The initial…

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TECH TALK: Danny Manchip of Beau’s Beauty Box

By Callie Iley | 21 November 2020

Scratch chats with Danny Manchip of Beau’s Beauty Box about his life as a nail tech and his incredible fundraising efforts.   What is your all time favourite nail product? I’ve got to say Magpie Beauty’s gel paints. I love doing free hand nail art, and their paints are just…

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TECH TALK: Natasha Newton of Nails by Natasha

By Callie Iley | 14 November 2020

Scratch catches up with Natasha Newton of Nails by Natasha about her achievements since featuring in January 2020’s Readers Gallery and what the future holds for her career.   What is it about nails that has you hooked? I’ve always enjoyed playing around with nails from a young age. It…

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