#ManiMonday: Pink nail patterns by Claire McQueen

By Zoe Wickens | 2 March 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on a brightly coloured patterned nail design and the talented tech behind it… Claire McQueen of CMNailsx started a nail tech course at college in 2011 after giving birth to twin boys. “I’ve had a passion for nails since I was a little girl,” she says.…

Mandy Kelly: Why my clients love Dipt nail products

By Zoe Wickens | 1 March 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech Mandy Kelly to find out why her clients love Dipt nail products… Mandy Kelly, owner of Mandy Kelly Beauty in Durham, initially heard about Dipt from a distributor who supplied her a nail system for several years until it was discontinued. “They offered me the…

IWD 2020: How a post office & pamper party idea transformed a career in 3 months

By Scratch Staff | 1 March 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful businesswomen in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… MEET NIKOLE DAVIDSON Newcastle-upon-Tyne based Nikole began her journey into nails with Helene Kell, north east educator for Bio Sculpture Gel, shortly after giving birth to her third child.  In the…

Nicola Bishop: Life as a Glitterbels educator

By Zoe Wickens | 29 February 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech Nicola Bishop to find out about her new training room and life as a Glitterbels educator… Nicola Bishop entered the nail industry at the age of 14, when she attended a night school with her mum to gain a manicure and nail art diploma. “From…

Create glow in the dark nail designs with Gel-ato Gel Polish

By Scratch Staff | 29 February 2020

Get ready to glow with five shades of Gel-ato Glow in the Dark Gel Polish from Vu Nail Systems. UV/LED cured, the shades are used with Gel-ato Base & Top for a durable soak off system. The gel polishes are available in: Pink Orange Green Yellow Coral The shades can also…

Smooth nail ridges with Cuccio Universal Soak-Off Base

By Kat Hill | 27 February 2020

Offer a flawless finish from the start with the Cuccio Universal Soak-Off Base. This thicker base helps smooth ridges and imperfections on the natural nail for seamless Cuccio colour application. LED/UV compatible, the base is also ideal for damaged nails, or client wanting to progress from enhancements to natural nail overlays.…

Tech Talk: Lacquer Lassie Aimee Hamilton

By Zoe Wickens | 26 February 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech, Aimee Hamilton, to learn more about her industry journey… Aimee Hamilton of The Lacquer Lassie initially became interested in nails when she was about 10 or 11 years old, after stumbling across nail art tutorials on YouTube. “I became hooked,” she says. “I didn’t actually…

#BeKind: why & how you should support fellow nail techs

By Scratch Staff | 26 February 2020

Nail tech & salon owner, Karen M Brown, shares her creativity and wisdom in a series for Scratch… Based in Scotland, Karen co-owns (with her sister) Sanctuary in the City; two multi-award-winning salon destinations. The duo also owns training academy, NABTA UK, and provides nail and beauty education across the UK. Karen co-founded…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Odyssey Spa, Stevenage

By Kat Hill | 26 February 2020

The Odyssey Spa in Stevenage prides itself on providing a relaxing, holistic experience thanks to warming Moroccan touches in its décor. “We have a Moroccan theme throughout the spa,” explains spa director, Tiffany Harding-Aucott. “We wanted a spa that was dark and cosy for our clients to completely relax in.” The spa’s relaxation…

Learn extreme shapes & 3D gel nails in Paris with En Vogue

By Zoe Wickens | 26 February 2020

en Vogue will be holding its MotivatioNAIL event at Spa Relay Chessy Val D’Europe in Paris, France on 5-6 April. Attendees can learn extreme shapes, reverse French, 3D gel, baby boomer styles and much more. Five educators from France, Canada and Slovenia will be coming to share their knowledge. From…

Staffordshire educator scoops accolade at The English Nails Brows Lashes Awards

By Zoe Wickens | 25 February 2020

Staffordshire Nail Academy Ltd has won the Nail Educator of the Year award at The English Nails Brows Lashes (NBL) Awards 2020. Run by husband and wife Andrew and Hannah Garbett, Staffordshire Nail Academy is the UK’s distributor of Astonishing Nails products as well as Jacky M lash products. Hannah…

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Karen Brown, Sanctuary In The City

By Sophie Nutt | 25 February 2020

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Karen Brown, of Sanctuary In The City, reveals Billie Eilish-inspired nails have been popular with her clients recently. “Billie Eilish is the talk of the red carpet at the minute and her current hair colours, as well as her…

#ManiMonday: Striking crystal nails by Claire Wheeler

By Zoe Wickens | 24 February 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on a funky crystal-studded nail design and the talented tech behind it… Nail tech Claire Wheeler, owner of home nail business Beauty and the Wish in Essex, has been working in the nail industry for two and a half years. “I have always had an artistic…

Gems Pretty in Spring gel polish collection unveiled

By Zoe Wickens | 23 February 2020

A new gel polish collection by nail educator Gemma Lambert’s The Nail Team has been released. The Pretty in Spring gel polish collection is composed of a mixture of pastel and bright colours and is inspired by the spring season. Colours include April, a beautiful soft coral; Blossom, a pale…

Jessica introduces new nail colours for the festival season

By Zoe Wickens | 22 February 2020

A new collection of nail colours ideal for the festival season has been released by Jessica. Named Indie Fest, the new collection features a medley of shades that reflect fun and escapism, with the performance of each polish delivering feel-good vibes. Colours include Headliner, a duck egg pastel blue crème;…