Posts by Helena Biggs
Finalists announced in 2026 UK&I nail industry awards
Hundreds of entries and nominations were received into the 14th annual Scratch Stars Awards, which recognises nail professionals and businesses in the UK and Ireland, and the finalists in 19 categories have been revealed. Spotlighting those who are passionate about their craft and showcase great skill, business expertise and a commitment to growth and customer…
Read MoreNail industry mourns Jim Nordstrom: icon, mentor, businessman & leader
James ‘Jim’ Nordstrom, a trailblazer and much-loved member of the nail industry, passed away suddenly on March 21 in San Diego, California, aged 69. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and their daughters, Niki and Carli, as well as brother, Tommy, sisters Ann, Jan and Carol and extended family. Tributes have flooded social media…
Read MoreCOLOUR IN MOTION: North America’s Star Nail Artist S2 Challenge 5 entries
We’ve seen creative sculpts, extreme shapes and avant-garde styles appear throughout the Season 2 NASNA challenges to date, so for the penultimate task, sponsor brand, Gelish, centred artistry around colour. From the 25 shortlisted pros, just nine remain, who each received a package from the brand to tell a story through shades and design. The…
Read MoreBirmingham nail designer collaborates with museum to create manicure masterpiece
Rosie Lynall, a nail artist & designer working from Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, has collaborated with Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to create a miniature work of art. “The team at Fitzwilliam Museum contacted me in late 2025 and asked if I’d create a nail design inspired by pieces from their collections,” shares Rosie, who works under…
Read MoreGreat Britain’s TPO ban: key dates & what it means for nail products, suppliers & techs
Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a photoinitiator that helps gel nail products cure quickly under UV light and maintain colour stability, will be banned from cosmetic products placed on the market in Great Britain from 15 August 2026. This follows the ban of the ingredient within the EU cosmetics market that was enforced on 1 September…
Read MoreNiche Nail Network returns to Solihull with elevated education offerings & expanded exhibitor line-up
Niche Nail Network is returning to Cranmore Park, Solihull, for a fourth consecutive year. The popular event, to be held on Sunday 19 April, is a full day shopping, networking and learning experience for nail professionals: a trade show concept that brings small businesses and nail artists together and allows brands to connect with their communities.…
Read MoreDECADE – The era that made me: North America’s Star Nail Artist S2 Challenge 4 Entries
Nostalgic moments and flashbacks to toys and TV shows feature in the nail designs created for Challenge 4 of the North America’s Star Nail Artist contest. The 13 remaining contestants rifled through their memory banks to sculpt and style striking works of art, in a bid to maintain their places in the competition and fight…
Read MoreIntroducing PureSculpt™: a Glitterbels product to promote nail strength, clarity & length
Do you seek a gel that offers exceptional sculpting control and creates a rigid, long-lasting nail structure? Discover PureSculpt™, the latest product offering from award-winning nail brand, Glitterbels. Serving up 26 shades to flatter all skin tones, PureSculpt™ is a HEMA-free, self-levelling hard gel that allows pros to add structure, build and extend nails with…
Read MoreEastbourne nail tech to host 24-hour painting marathon in memory of her father
Charlie Wilkinson (@nailsbycharliejade), a nail technician from Eastbourne, is to host a 24-hour ‘Nailathon’ to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.“This event is being held in memory of my dad, who sadly passed away from heart disease in December 2024,” Charlie explains. “This cause is incredibly close to my heart, and I wanted to…
Read MoreNailympia Anaheim 2026: THE RESULTS
The third edition of the Nailympia Anaheim nail competition welcomed 83 competitors taking 252 seats – 87 of which were in the arena during the two-day event at Premiere Anaheim. Turn-in art entries and poster submissions were all extremely popular at this event, with Runway Nails, Gel Polish Manicure and Joy of Nails leading the…
Read More21 Argyle nail art ideas for fans of the diamond design
Argyle (or ‘argyll’) nails are trending: yes, the colourful criss-cross pattern is being requested by fashion-forward nail art fans across the globe, owing to its dazzling diamond details and high-impact finish. Derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell of Argyll Scotland, argyle is made up of diamond shapes with diagonal lines. It differs to plaid, which…
Read MoreMY MEMORABLE MELODY: North America’s Star Nail Artist S2 Challenge 3 Entries
The 25-strong shortlist of North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA) competitors was whittled down to 16 at the end of 2025, and the first challenge of 2026 saw them get further in tune with their tools to craft nail art worthy of a mic drop. Following eliminations after challenges one and two, the contestants still…
Read MoreHara Professional unveils Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025
Nail brand, Hara Professional, has unveiled Wigan nail pro, Alyx Olivia Mills, as winner of its 2025 gel polish contest – and a prize worth £2,500. The search for Hara Professional’s Gel Polish Artist of the Year 2025 began on 1 September 2025. Techs from the UK and Ireland were invited to claim a free…
Read MoreANNABEL’S NORTH AMERICAN DREAM: North America’s Star Nail Artist S2 Challenge 2 Entries
Twenty contestants from the USA and Canada submitted avant-garde, destination-inspired entries into the second challenge of North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA). Created by the team behind Scratch and Nailympia Competitions, the contest elevates the creativity and imaginations of nail pros, while celebrating talent and innovation. Season 2 presents six monthly nail art challenges, and contestants are required to create a…
Read MoreCelebrity manicurists partner with Star Touch Agency to mentor the next generation of nail artists
Celebrity nail stylists, Tom Bachik and Julie Kandalec, have partnered with Christina Aviles Aude, founder of Star Touch Agency, to ‘set a new industry standard for artistry, professionalism and mentoring’. The agency, which specialises in representing parts models and manicurists, is offering personalised training to its artists courtesy of Tom – an LA-based ‘man-icurist’ whose…
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