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5 top tips for perfect nail competition preparation

By Scratch Staff | 21 February 2020

Lauren Holmes, winner of the Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year award 2019, reveals her 5 top tips for nailing your competition prep: Practice, practice, practice! Make sure you have done your competition set plenty of times, so you know your timings and order. Plan it out and…

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Katie barnes scratch stars 2

How to write a winning competition entry

By Katie Barnes | 1 February 2020

With the Scratch Stars Awards 2020 open for entry from 1-28 February, multi-winner, Katie Barnes, reveals her tips for a winning entry… Preparation is one of the key elements to success. Are you looking at entering the Scratch Star Awards this year? In this blog, I share my top tips…

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Metta francis goals

How to plan & execute your goals for the year ahead

By Metta Francis | 14 January 2020

I love the New Year as I find it the perfect time to reflect, reset and set intentions for the months ahead. If you’ve not yet had the time to do this, I highly recommend you block out your diary, treat yourself to some lovely new stationery, get comfy and…

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Lauren Holmes shares her love of gel polish

By Sophie Nutt | 12 September 2019

Fresh from scooping the coveted Gel Polish Stylist of the Year accolade at the Scratch Stars Awards 2019, Lauren Holmes of Nailed It Beauty, reveals what it is about the gel polish medium that she loves… Over the years, Lauren has trained with ASP, Gelish and The Gel Bottle Inc,…

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Ssas19 winners revealed

WINNERS ANNOUNCED: The Scratch Stars Awards 2019

By Helena Biggs | 21 July 2019

The winners of the prestigious Scratch Stars Awards 2019 were revealed at a glittering ceremony in London on Sunday 21 July. Over 350 guests gathered at Proud, Embankment, to enjoy a fun-filled evening hosted by Rylan Clark-Neal, with performances from R&B boy band, Damage and an incredible acrobat. The evening…

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An evening with Marian Newman & Nick Knight

By Helena Biggs | 13 May 2019

London’s V&A Museum hosted Nailed It. Marian Newman & Nick Knight with Mimma Viglezio, an evening discussion on Friday 10 May that focused on the careers and collaborative efforts of the esteemed nail artist and renowned fashion photographer. The lecture theatre was packed with photography and nail fanatics, all keen to…

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Finalists announced in nail industry’s Scratch Stars Awards competition

By Helena Biggs | 6 May 2019

Over 1000 entries and nominations were submitted into the 2019 Scratch Stars Awards, making it the most competitive year to date. After a tough initial judging process, the finalists have been revealed in each of the 18 categories, below. Each finalist has received information about the next stage in the…

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The nail gallery

Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail Gallery, Bawtry

By Kat Hill | 1 May 2019

Get to know the names behind The Nail Gallery, Bawtry – finalist in the Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year category 20/21, sponsored by The Gel Bottle Inc… “Jessica Haith and I both met when we began working together in a nail bar in 2017,” explains Ilex Wood. “Unfortunately, …

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Erica turley

The journey to opening my first nail academy – Part 1

By Erica Turley | 28 March 2019

Hey everyone! I’m super excited to make my return to blogging for Scratch magazine, where I’ll reveal my journey to opening my own premises. Some may call me crazy for taking this leap I’m sure, but with work load demands, I’m finally about to feel the fear. I have recently…

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Entry closes 17

The Scratch Stars Awards 2019: ENTRY CLOSING SOON!

By Helena Biggs | 16 March 2019

Entry is now OPEN for the Scratch Stars Awards 2019 – but hurry, you need to submit your entry by Sunday 17 March at midnight. The awards is hosted annually to recognise the incredible talent of individuals, teams and businesses in the UK nail sector. This year, 18 categories are open…

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Anastasiia Morozova

Nail competition tips from champion Anastasiia Morozova

By Kat Hill | 23 February 2019

Thinking of entering The Scratch Stars Awards? Anastasiia Morozova shares her story to inspire and encourage… My students very often ask me how to become an international nail educator. The secret is very simple: nail competitions! My career began as an nail technician, taking customers at home and in the salon.…

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Luxury beauty destination Nails& London launches revamped boutique

By Helena Biggs | 3 January 2019

Spa boutique, Nails& London, has unveiled a refurbished site in Wimbledon, offering manicures, pedicures, medi-pedis and toe correction procedures as well as brow threading. The destination focuses on the health and appearance of hands and feet, and staff include highly trained foot specialists and nail technicians. Founded by Donna Haar-Jorgensen in…

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Why it’s important to enter nail competitions

By Scratch Staff | 31 December 2018

With the Scratch Stars Awards 2019 opening for entry 1 February and Nailympia competitions on the horizon, industry veteran Sue Davies reveals why it’s important to enter nail competitions – and what it takes to win… With a number of industry awards at our reach, is can be a challenge to figure out which ones…

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Mobile nailist scoops London Enterprise Award

By Sophie Nutt | 7 December 2018

Two-time Scratch Star winner, Metta Francis, received another accolade for her business acumen – this time at The 2018 Greater London Enterprise Awards. Presented by SME News, the awards recognise small and medium sized businesses that have achieved widespread success deserving of recognition. Metta scooped the Best Mobile Nail Artist title. Metta took to her…

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Joanna tompkins

Joanna Tompkins talks about life as a Scratch Stars Award winner

By Sophie Nutt | 26 October 2018

French & Drench founder, Joanna Tompkins, winner of the Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year award 2018, paid a visit to Scratch HQ to chat about her career and light after the big win. While I was treated to a signature French & Drench manicure, I chatted to Joanna about what the business has been…

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