Minnesota woman’s 42ft nails make history as longest nails ever

By Helena Biggs | 4 August 2022

Diana Armstrong of Minnesota, USA, has been honoured with Guinness World Records titles for longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female) and longest fingernails on a pair of hands ever (female). The grandmother’s 42 ft 10.4 in (1306.58 cm) long fingernails surpass the previous record holder, Ayanna Williams, by…

Salon in the Spotlight: Boo Does Nails, Birmingham

By Callie Iley | 4 August 2022

During lockdown, Beckie Jones reflected on her career, deciding to take a risk when restrictions eased, opening up her own salon. “It was a risk I needed to take, as I felt a deep need to finally carve out a space where I could be free to do what I…

Nail Tech Talk: Carrie Bohan of Nails by Carrie

By Callie Iley | 30 July 2022

Carrie Bohan of Nails by Carrie sits down with Scratch to talk about her love for natural nail transformations and the importance of posting regularly on Instagram… “I love natural nail transformations and restoring peoples confidence in their nails,” Carrie reveals. “I am a builder gel only tech, so my…

Salon in the Spotlight: Eden Nails & Beauty, Derby

By Callie Iley | 28 July 2022

Beginning her nail journey in 2013, Laura Lima has a variety of experience in the beauty industry. “I have always dreamed of having my own salon one day, and in 2020, I decided to experience the self-employed side of things and was never happier!”   “I started to slowly climb…

5 ways to keep nail salon appointment books busy this summer

By Guest Writer | 27 July 2022

Beauty business expert and founder of Beauty Boss HQ, Layla Tourh, serves up advice for keeping the appointment books busy during the summer months… As we enter the summer holidays, we know to expect an increase in the obvious summer trending services, such as waxing, spray tans, and pedicures, but we…

Scratch Stars Awards 2022: WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

By Helena Biggs | 24 July 2022

Ten years ago, Scratch magazine launched the Scratch Stars Awards to recognise the incredible skill, business acumen and client care shown by members of the UK nail industry. Since the first awards ceremony at London’s iconic Café de Paris in 2012, we have crowned 181 Scratch Stars, with 18 names…

Nail Tech Talk: Sophie Day of Glam Nails 

By Callie Iley | 23 July 2022

Scratch chats to Sophie Day of Glam Nails about changing trends and pushing outside of your comfort zone… “I began training as a nail tech August 2019,” Sophie shares. “I am trained to work with natural nails, of which I find seems to be popular at the moment. “I was…

Salon in the Spotlight: Annissas Beauty, Blackpool

By Callie Iley | 21 July 2022

After leaving college early due to her mental health, Annissa Colton enrolled onto a nail and beauty course, qualifying by January 2019. “I absolutely loved doing nails from the very start, I feel like it is such a therapeutic and creative industry to work in. Following my struggles with mental…

Nail Tech Talk: Tasmin Russell of Nails By Tazzy

By Callie Iley | 16 July 2022

Tasmin Russell of Nails By Tazzy chats to Scratch about her next career steps and keeping up with nail trends… “I did my training with the company I work for now, Lux Beauty Training Academy,” Tasmin reveals. “My training was what set me off on the right track. Charlotte and…

Speed up your services with Gelish Soft Gel Tips

By Callie Iley | 15 July 2022

Gelish has partnered with Aprés to create the ‘next generation’ of full coverage soft gel tips. These break-resistant soft gel tips extend the strength to the centre of the tip, creating a more durable design from arch to free edge. Intended to feel like natural nails using Aprés jelly-like material,…

Salon in the Spotlight: Wow Nails, Isle of Man

By Callie Iley | 14 July 2022

Previously working in other salons since 2015, Wendy Jayne Buttery took the plunge to open her own home salon in July 2021. “I always wanted my own little space to do up, matching it to my nail art style. “My home salon is perfect for me and my clients. I…

Check out the monthly subscription box packed with on-trend nail art goodies

By Callie Iley | 12 July 2022

Offering ‘high quality gel polishes at a low price point’, The Gel Box monthly subscription box has launched. Founded by mobile tech turned salon owner, Virginie Nnomo, each monthly box contains different goodies to suit current nail trends, handpicked by a tech at Virginie’s salon, Brit’pop Academy. Every month features the…

Nail Tech Talk: Maja Bakic of Rose Nail Art

By Callie Iley | 9 July 2022

Scratch chats to Maja Bakic of Rose Nail Art about the creative process behind her nail designs and the importance of advancing skills as a tech… “I studied sociology and have been working in fields of art and culture, but over time, my interest faded,” Maja recalls. “I felt the…

Dive into 12 summer nail shades with Light Elegance’s beach themed collection

By Callie Iley | 8 July 2022

Revealing its Summer by the Sea collection inspired by the beach and the ocean, Light Elegance’s range of twelve of on-trend summer shades come in a variety of neutral, pastel, bright and bold hues to suit any client.  The shades include: Don’t Be Crabby – vibrant red coral Sandcastle –…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Spot, Alverstoke, Hampshire

By Callie Iley | 7 July 2022

While pregnant with her third son and living abroad with her military husband, Kayliegh Winspear sought independence in her life. In summer 2019, she began doing nails professionally. “My parents didn’t approve of me doing beauty at college, but it had always been a dream of mine.” “We moved back…