Posts by Rebecca Hitchon
Home nail & beauty salons: how to maintain positive neighbour relations & resolve conflict
Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year finalists for 2024 offer advice for how home business owners can keep the peace with neighbours and resolve potential conflicts… Kirsty Brown, owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling – Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 “When opening a home salon, it’s good practice to inform…
Read MoreBeauty brands encouraged to switch from plastic bottles in eco-friendly initiative
Molded fibre packaging manufacturer, NBCo, has launched Fast Forward 50, to help beauty and personal care brands transition away from single-use plastic bottles. The first 50 brands that sign up to the initiative will each be offered a free 200ml (122mm x 60mm) NBCo fibre bottle, allowing them to test the environmentally conscious packaging with…
Read MoreThe GelBottle Inc launches affiliate & reward programme to empower nail pros
The GelBottle Inc (TGB) has unveiled TGB Insiders: a platform to ‘celebrate, engage and empower its most passionate partners’. It replaces the Brighton nail brand’s former affiliate scheme and has considered user feedback to build an improved programme. TGB Insiders is available to UK techs, and will be open to US pros in the coming…
Read MoreBristol nail tech: how I navigate functional neurological disorder (FND)
To mark FND Awareness Day (25 March), Shara Taylor, owner of Bare Beauty Aesthetics, Bristol, opens up about her experiences with the condition… Charity, FND Action, details: “Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a brain network disorder that can encompass a diverse range of neurological symptoms, including limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, twitching and…
Read MoreGreater Manchester nail tech: Why I closed a bustling salon to open a home-based business
Nina of Wigan home salon, Nina Nicholson Beauty & Lecenté lead educator, shares why a huge career switch was the best decision she ever made… Nina Nicholson opened her first salon at the age of 18, and went on to acquire a larger premises a few years later. After building and running the bustling business…
Read MoreGlitterbels to mark HQ launch with nail education event hosted by Annabel Maginnis
Staffordshire-based nail brand, Glitterbels, has unveiled Annabel’s Art Assembly: an education event running from 9-11 June 2025. Taking place on the opening week of the brand’s new HQ, pros that take part will be the first to receive education in the renovated church space, which features a nail bar, shop, improved education facilities and more.…
Read MoreAre you a neurodiverse nail tech? This Facebook group offers support to neurodivergent pros
“Neurodiversity refers to the different ways an individual’s brain processes information. It became clear that I am neurodiverse when I was in my late 30s,” says Cheryl Holland, founder of Facebook group, Neurodiversity in Nails. The owner of Spicy Sakura Nails, Worksop, and press-on business, Nail My Ride, set up the group earlier this year…
Read MoreStruggling to attract clients? An expert will audit your beauty business to drive growth
Are you struggling to gain new clientele or attract your ideal clients? The Salon Inspector™ from nail industry veteran, Sue Davies, is here to help… The programme serves to enhance the client journeys of mobile, home-based and brick and mortar beauty businesses via an audit. “When a business signs up to The Salon Inspector™, it…
Read MoreSweet Squared delivers SOFGEL nail products to UK market
USA-based professional nail brand, SOFGEL, has partnered with hair and beauty distributor, Sweet Squared, to bring its soft gel products to the UK market. The brand boasts SOFTIPS PRO™: a range of ultra-thin, flexible and durable full coverage tips in two styles: standard and structured. The tips are available in eight shapes, five lengths and…
Read MoreOscars 2025: the celebrity nail looks you need to see
The 97th Academy Awards, aka the Oscars, took place last night (2 March) and celebrated the artistic and technical merits of the film industry over the last year. From an opening number with Wicked stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, to independent comedy-drama film, Anora, scooping an extraordinary five awards, there were some big moments…
Read MoreThe Great British Beauty Clean Up: What is the initiative set to tackle industry waste?
The Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC) has launched The Great British Beauty Clean Up, to bring together beauty brands and retailers to significantly reduce sector waste. The SBC was formed by the British Beauty Council (BBCo) in 2021, and the launch of The Great British Beauty Clean Up on 3 March coincides with the start of…
Read MoreNail techs paint what brings them joy for Scratch Snap comp: winner announced
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art contest for February has been announced as Monika Ferreira of @mjallure_beauty. In a showcase of talent, techs created nail designs inspired by theme, Things That Make You Happy, in the bid to win a prize from Light Elegance. Entries were judged by Light Elegance UK co-owners & educators, Jojo Wickens and Leila…
Read MoreBuying an E-file & bits? Nail techs: here’s what to consider
Nail experts share what to know before buying an E-file and bits… Choose the company carefully “Purchase from a reputable professional brand that also provides high-quality training for its E-file range, as undertaking this training is the best way to ensure the tools are being used correctly,” says Giorgia Cappella, head of education & spa…
Read MoreNail & beauty apprenticeships: salons share benefits, their experiences & advice
In a February 2025 poll on Scratch’s Instagram, almost 80% of respondents shared that they’re considering taking on apprentices. Here, two UK salons share how they’ve reaped the rewards of the apprenticeship process… Nailspa, West Yorkshire “As a business owner, I believe that when it comes to employees, you cannot beat ‘growing your own’. Nailspa…
Read MoreAnimal print, pearls & 3 other nail trends at New York Fashion Week AW25
Fashion month is well underway, and kicked off with New York Fashion Week. Offering an insight into clothing styles set to dominate the autumn/winter 2025 season, the event also showcased stunning nail styles – and we spotted five trends to note… Animal print According to the New York runways, animal print isn’t going anywhere. At…
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