Salon in the Spotlight: Polish It Up MCR, Manchester

By Callie Iley | 1 June 2023

Prioritising a personalised, one-to-one client experience, Manchester-based tech, Jess Walford notes how working alone allows her to cater her treatment offerings to each individual client. “I’m very lucky to say a lot of my clients have been coming to me for a few years and have become lovely friends, which…

Weak or damaged nails? Reboot your nail routine with OPI Repair Mode

By Callie Iley | 1 June 2023

Restore and maintain the condition of natural nails from within with Repair Mode, a bond-building nail serum from OPI. Phase 1: Repair Recommended for damaged nails, the brush-on nail serum features ‘Ulti-Plex Technology’. This mimics the natural nail’s protein structure, helping to restore natural nails to their optimal condition from…

Nail Tech Talk: Hannah Smith of Hannah Smith Essex Nail Artist 

By Callie Iley | 27 May 2023

Having always enjoyed art and beauty, character nail artist, Hannah Smith of Hannah Smith Essex Nail Artist was quickly drawn to the nail industry, wanting to use her two passions to create a career for herself. “The nail industry not only allows me to be creative every day, but it…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Studio, Wiltshire

By Carter Rogers | 25 May 2023

Driven by her passion and dedication to the industry, nail technician and beauty educator, Claire Elaine Thomson, shares her love for learning and reveals the message behind her hummingbird branding. With 23 years of experience, Claire started her nail journey in 1998 when she decided it was time to do…

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap May 2023

By Callie Iley | 22 May 2023

The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Carla Watson. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for May & created nail designs inspired by ‘Barely There Manis’ in the bid to win a prize from Sweet Squared & CND. Judged by Scratch‘s…

Nails Laundry becomes UK distributor for enVogue Nails

By Chloe Randall | 22 May 2023

North American nail product manufacturer, En Vogue Sculptured Nail Systems, has appointed Nails Laundry as distributor of its products in the UK. The brand, which was incorporated in 1996, offers the Premium and Simply range of gels, alongside builder gel in a bottle, colour gels and gel polish. A spokesperson…

Nail Tech Talk: Megan Freeman of Corner 21

By Callie Iley | 20 May 2023

Transforming her lifelong love for nails into a blossoming career, Megan Freeman, shares her earliest memories of visits to the salon and her hopes for the future of Corner 21… Accompanying her mother to salons as a child, Megan remembers sitting and watching in awe, and can still recall the first…

NHBF survey indicates positive shift for nail & beauty businesses

By Callie Iley | 19 May 2023

The NHBF State of Industry survey reveals a promising shift in the nail and beauty industry, with businesses reporting a return to profitability, increased confidence in survival, and intentions to grow.   Findings from the NHBF’s quarterly State of Industry survey show a return to positivity, repeating trends seen in…

Nailchemy awarded ‘Buy With Confidence’ stamp from Trading Standards UK

By Scratch Staff | 15 May 2023

Somerset-based nail brand, Nailchemy, has been awarded the ‘Buy With Confidence’ stamp from Trading Standards UK. The Buy With Confidence initiative was conceived by local authority trading standards services in response to concerns about rogue traders, and provides consumers with a list of businesses that have given their commitment to trading…

Nail Tech Talk: Elle Fishburn of Base Coat Studio

By Callie Iley | 13 May 2023

Base Coat Studio’s Instagram feed oozes clean girl aesthetic, with Elle Fishburn proudly displaying her minimalist nail styles and classic French designs. Elle thrives alongside the socialisation that working as a nail tech affords her. “I love getting to see so many people a day, and it’s even better when…

Salon in the Spotlight: Bambu, Stoke-On-Trent

By Callie Iley | 11 May 2023

At the age of 14, Andrea Martin undertook work experience at a salon and fell in love with the beauty industry. Eager to get her foot in the door of the industry, she committed to a Saturday job as soon as she was able, commenting: “I had no idea that…

Nail Tech Talk: Kayla Rodgers of Kayla The Brand

By Callie Iley | 6 May 2023

Nail & lash artist, Kayla Rogers of Kayla The Brand’s lifelong passion for art found its canvas in the beauty industry, thanks to the creative freedom and artistry it affords. Her passion for art instantly attracted Kayla towards nail artistry. “I loved the idea of being able to create different…

Spread happiness this spring with YOSHI’s 9-piece pastel nail colour collection

By Callie Iley | 5 May 2023

YOSHI’s Happy collection features nine gel polish shades suited to spring nail styling, representing balance, trust, optimism & energy. Offering a range of pastel tones, including yellow for the sun, smiling and positive energy; green to symbolise balance, freshness and optimism; pink, showing tenderness, delicacy and optimism; and lilac, associated…

4 ways to help prevent allergic reactions in the nail space

By Katie Barnes | 5 May 2023

An allergy in the nail industry is caused by repetitive skin contact of a nail ingredient that has been advised against skin contact.  The contact of this allergen may not always be known or as simple as displaying on the hands from accidentally flooding the cuticle. If you or a…

Nail Tech Talk: Tayla-Rose McBride of TaylasDream

By Callie Iley | 29 April 2023

Freehand artist, Tayla-Rose McBride, shares the motivation behind swapping tattoo ink & needles for gel products & brushes. Pontypool-based nail stylist, Tayla-Rose McBride, has been a vivid dreamer with an interest in art for as long as she can remember. The former tattoo artist has, in recent years, used her…