Posts by Guest Writer
5 things to know as a beginner nail tech
Nail pro, educator & founder of The Curated Club platform, Laurie Heath, shares lessons learned from nearly 16 years of industry experience… About The Curated Club I struggled a lot in the early days of my career, nearly quit a few times and spent years figuring things out the hard way. I started creating digital marketing…
Read MoreAward-winning nail pro predicts top nail trends for 2026
Sarah Akhtyrska is an international nail competitor, Nailympia winner, educator & judge. She started her career in Ukraine, and after becoming a regional trainer in nail aesthetics, Sarah relocated to the US in 2022. A year later, she co-founded A-SKY Studio in Manhattan. Now, she is sharing her nail trend predictions for 2026… 2026: the…
Read MoreAccountant’s guide: preparing your nail & beauty business for the 2026/2027 tax year
Ria-Jaine Lincoln, founder of award-winning accountancy practice, The Beauty Accountant, offers up advice for the 2026/2027 UK financial year… As UK nail and beauty businesses review their budgets for April, what do they need to consider? “Making Tax Digital (MTD) – from 6 April 2026, sole traders earning over £50,000 will need to implement MTD-compliant…
Read MoreMixed media nail tutorial by Elena Maltseva: eye nail art
Scratch explores how award-winning nail artist & educator, Elena Maltseva, created the nails for the Nailympia 2026 marketing campaign… I want to demonstrate how to create the human eye, because it is one of the most important elements on a person’s face. I begin my face sculpting workshops with the creation of the human eye…
Read MoreA nail technician’s guide to protective gloves
Robert Giblett, nail industry safety expert & founder of professional nail brand, IKON.IQ, shares gloves insight for nail pros… Why do you need the right gloves? As a nail technician, your hands are your most important tools. Every day, you work with chemicals that can cause allergies and skin problems. The right gloves can protect…
Read MoreHow to become a great nail brand ambassador
North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA) Season 1 champion & LECHAT ambassador, Anastasia Totty, shares her tips and tricks for becoming a top brand ambassador… I’m often asked how to become a successful brand ambassador, and the first step is to attend trade shows and industry events. These offer opportunities to network with brands and…
Read MoreHow to capitalise on Valentine’s & Galentine’s Day in the nail salon
Experts shares tips for effectively promoting your nail offerings this Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day… Sara Pinto, Andreia Professional nail product director, says… “The lead-up to 14 February presents an opportunity for nail techs to boost business, by encouraging clients to treat themselves or loved ones to pampering experiences and retail items. The event also allows…
Read MoreSelf Assessment guide: HMRC advice for self-employed & sole traders
Ahead of the Self Assessment deadline of 31 January, HMRC deputy director for Self Assessment, Jashoda Pindoria MBE, answers frequently asked questions… Whether you’re a new business owner, have invested in a rental property, started a side hustle or sold assets between 6 April 2024 and 5 April 2025, chances are you’ll have to pay…
Read MoreNail content creation: do you need the latest phone to succeed?
Sussex-based nail content creator & Scratch columnist, Zoya Mac, reveals why you don’t need the newest phone to create great content… When the iPhone 17 launched, I did what many people do: I scrolled through the specifications and became tempted to purchase. But if you’re trying to improve your content creation skills and be seen…
Read MoreSpread Christmas cheer sustainably: 3 ways to recycle festive items
Decorating the Christmas tree, wrapping gifts and sending out greeting cards are some of the most cherished Christmas traditions, but after the festivities, how do you dispose of the excess? Research from waste management company, Sortera UK, shows that more than half of people recycle less at Christmas. This is as a result of being…
Read MoreHow to make your social media videos more watchable – a guide for nail artists
Nail content creator, Zoya Mac, shares what makes a social media video watchable, and how you can elevate your posts… Creating engaging video content is about more than producing aesthetically pleasing clips. You need to keep people watching. Picture this: your nail desk is set up, the nails are prepped and you’re ready to film…
Read MoreBlack Friday 2025 strategies for beauty salons: tips to engage clients
Sam Kendall, CEO at salon software company, SalonIQ, shares how beauty businesses can reap rewards this Black Friday… Black Friday has become a fixture in the calendars of shoppers across the globe, and it’s not just big business for retailers – the hair and beauty world is getting involved too. According to market intelligence specialist,…
Read MoreBeauty business guide: reflecting on 2025 & setting goals for 2026
Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, offers tips for success as we reach the end of the year… Don’t burn yourself out just because you’ve seen social media posts asking ‘what do you have to show for 2025?’. Although the intention to recognise your highlights from the past 12 months is good, it…
Read MoreFrom struggle to success: how a Brighton nail pro thrives with cystic fibrosis
Giorgia Cappella, head of education & spa at The GelBottle Inc (TGB), shares her experiences living and thriving with cystic fibrosis. What is cystic fibrosis? According to the NHS website, cystic fibrosis is ‘a rare, inherited genetic condition that causes breathing and digestive problems. There is currently no cure, but there are medicines and supportive…
Read MoreA social media brand collaboration guide for nail professionals
Nail content creator & Scratch columnist, Zoya Mac, shares social media advice… Social media is rife with individuals working with brands to promote products and services. From PR packages to reposts, it all looks very exciting – and for the right person, it can be. If your goal is to partner with a brand you…
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