The success story of Belinda Price: award-winning nail educator, salon owner & industry advocate
Scratch reflects on the award-winning work of esteemed educator & business owner, Belinda Price… With a career spanning more than three decades, Belinda Price stands as a true pillar of the nail industry: a valued educator, mentor, salon owner, innovator and advocate for all. Her recognition with the prestigious Scratch…
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How to remove hard gel from nails without an E-file
Justyna Pryke, Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year 2015 & 2025, serves up a step-by-step guide to removing hard gel enhancements safely and effectively. Removing hard gel manually (without an E-file) can be done safely, but it requires patience and care to avoid damaging the natural nails. Here’s a…
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Scratch Stars Hall Of Famer reveals what it’s like to judge for the prestigious awards
Kayley Cairns, five-time Scratch Stars Award-winner, nail artist & educator, reveals what it’s like to judge for the esteemed competition, and shares advice for entrants. Kayley Cairns is no stranger to the Scratch Stars Awards. After taking home two awards for Mixed Media Artist of the Year and Nail Stylist…
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Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2025 shares secrets to nail industry success
Michelle Brookes is an award-winning nail technician & educator who won Scratch Stars Educator of the Year for the second time in July. She tells Scratch what makes a good educator, how her processes have evolved and what’s next for her career… “Winning the Scratch Stars Educator of the Year…
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Winners announced in nail industry’s 13th annual Scratch Stars Awards (+ photo gallery)
Stunning London venue, The Underglobe, set the scene for the 13th annual Scratch Stars Awards, which recognises exceptional nail professionals, businesses and teams in the UK and Ireland. Hosted by TV’s Jeff Brazier and Scratch’s Helena Biggs, awards were presented across 18 categories, and guests enjoyed prosecco courtesy of Bluestreak…
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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…
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TV presenter, Jeff Brazier, to host Scratch Stars Awards nail industry party
TV presenter & social media personality, Jeff Brazier, is to host The Scratch Stars Party at The Underglobe, London, on Sunday 6 July 2025. The event celebrates excellence in the UK&I nail sector, offering an opportunity for over 300 attendees to network and enjoy live entertainment. During the evening, the…
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Nail techs: This is why thorough client consultations are so important
Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year finalist 2024, Tanya Jeskins, shares why thorough client consultations are the key to effective and safe nail services that keep clients returning. So, what exactly is a client consultation? Tanya explains: “It’s a professional conversation that takes place before every appointment, to…
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Top reasons to enter nail competitions & expert tips for success
Esteemed beauty business expert & CEO of PHAB Service Stars, Nergish Wadia-Austin, shares advice for budding nail competitors… The nail industry is vibrant, with competitions like the Scratch Stars Awards and Nailympia showcasing the best in creativity and artistry. Prestigious events like these are essential for any nail technician wishing…
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Scratch Stars Award-winning nail salon owner: competition benefits & advice
Natasha Barker, owner of Scratch Stars Nail Salon of Year 2024, Niche Nails & Beauty, reveals advice for succeeding in the competition. The 2024 awards were not the salon’s first entry into the competition. Natasha explains: “I had entered the awards previously on behalf of the salon, and we had…
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Award-winning home salon owner: the 5 essential tips for success
Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 winner, Kirsty Brown of @paintbrushnails, shares her top tips for building a successful home salon… Having won the prestigious Scratch Stars accolade for her Stirling-based home salon, we asked Kirsty to share her top tips to inform and inspire nail techs…
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I was visited by a Scratch Stars Award-winning mobile nailist. Here’s my experience
Here’s what happened when Stella Angelova, Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year 2024, paid Scratch’s deputy editor, Rebecca Hitchon, a visit… Stella of Stella A. – Nail Artist is based in Swanley, Kent, and travelled six miles to my home in Orpington. It was a gloomy and wet day,…
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Meet HD Professional Nail Systems: a brand dedicated to raising standards via award-winning education & products
What should pros look for in a nail brand? Products that help to elevate artistry, high-quality education and a passionate team behind-the-scenes are key qualities – and HD Professional Nail Systems ticks every box. Founder, Hazel Dixon’s career stems 18 years and she has an awe-inspiring collection of over 100…
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How to make the most of a nail competition
Belinda Price, OPI UK&I education & capability manager, reveals why you should enter nail competitions – and how to make the most of the experience… Entering nail competitions is a great way to grow your skillset and develop your business. It’s a way of assessing where you’re at, setting goals,…
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Scratch Stars Award-winning techs create Paris Olympics nail art for Team GB equestrian star
After a winning weekend at the Scratch Stars Party, sisters, Lucy Price-Marshall and Jessica Price, headed back to the nail desk to tend to the nails of Olympics dressage competitor, Becky Moody. The pair, who are based at Huddersfield salon, Nailspa: winner of Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year…
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