Posts by Alex Fox
Scratch pays its respects to Joseph Pham
It is with sadness that the industry says goodbye to one of its personalities and pioneers. Highly skilled in technique, Joseph was a master at sharing information, bringing techs together and educating internationally with a light-hearted and fun nature that was insatiable. We are sorry to say goodbye to you so soon, Joseph, and send…
Read MoreBreast Cancer Awareness Nail Art Comp Now Open
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month for October 2020, Sam Biddle has launched a month-long nail art competition for the whole of September. It’s free to enter, although a donation to Breast Cancer Research by entrants via the link on Sam’s website is welcome! With prizes to the value of £250, the winners will…
Read MoreCovid-Safe USA Nail Event Proves Huge Success
Running successfully for 10 years now, the Nail Camp events, organised in the USA by Jessica Briarmoon, have been a mecca for techs that desire a four-day break that’s all about – nails. For 2020, the April-scheduled event was moved just two weeks before being held when Maryland was locked down. “The original date…
Read MoreOpen for entries – Oceania Nail Photo Comp
There is still time to enter the photographic categories of the Oceania Nail Championships, to be held at the Perth Hair & Beauty Expo hosted by Ascot Racecourse in Perth, Australia. The championships, organised by Teresa Warman, are due to be held on 20 September and the theme for the photographic is Glam Goth with…
Read MoreA Wealth of Top Training & Tips for Techs
It’s no secret that Sam Biddle is a great nail art educator, with a wealth of online nail art courses on offer for all ages, skill sets and schedules. Sam has spent the last 20 years teaching nail pros all over the world the art of nail art. However, mastering fine lines or obsessing over…
Read MoreA bohemian nail style rhapsody with Cat Wong
My favourite pastime is to browse nail designs and nailists on Instagram and Facebook, whenever I can. I do this in the hope of being arrested by art so strong, powerful, colourful and original that it will bring sparkles to my eyes. I’m pleased to inform, I get sparkles on a daily basis from the…
Read MoreNail Tech & Wellness Coach Creates Fabulosity Group for Women 40+
Nailympia judge and well-known industry figure from Australia, Jai Harvey-Yin has successfully moved sideways into the arena of empowerment and wellness. Following her new purpose, this move has added Reiki, alongside a string of new skills, to her already wide repertoire and Jai is now a loud and proud advocate of wellness for women. With…
Read MoreSafe salon passes Covid-19 spot inspection
The team at Ivy House Nails & Beauty in Bingley, West Yorkshire, shares with Scratch’s Alex Fox, how they navigated a spot check on their safety strategies by proactive council inspectors in Bingley… The industry is a cacophony of noise as techs navigate their PPE needs and salon safe strategies, while exchanging views in Facebook…
Read MoreOnline crystal nail art content launches
Award-winning UK tech, Scarlett Senter has teamed up with Charlotte Pennington (AKA Poppy), owner of Crystal Parade, to present an exciting new nail contest – The Creative Mixed Media Competition. Offering prizes for first, second and third places as well as a first-place trophy, the competition will also award a Voter’s Choice accolade, too. What…
Read MoreMeet the winners: NailOn Global Championship 2020
The winners of the first NailOn Global Championship online competition have been announced! Hosted by team at Innovation Beauty Academy, Northampton, registration was open until 23 June across five categories (Non-Scissors Manicure, Extreme Shaped, Mix Nail Art Box, Perfect Almond, Gel Polish Manicure) in three skill divisions. With an extremely prestigious judging panel of 24…
Read MorePPE kits launched to ensure safe return to work for salon staff
As nail and beauty salons have been given the green light to re-open on Monday (13 July), it is imperative that the salon – and its staff – are completely ready to safely welcome back clients. Make your salon Covid-secure Government guidance for those working in ‘close contact services’, which includes nail and beauty salons,…
Read MorePromote calm in your salon or spa with soundtrack from Stuart Jones
Stuart Jones has released his latest salon and spa wellbeing album, Serene Dreams. The album offers nearly 60 minutes of calming, beautiful melodies, affording lush orchestral arrangements topped with a creamy layer of soufflé piano. With titles such as ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’, ‘The Playful You’ and ‘The Ripple Effect’, Stuart delivers an aural…
Read MoreLauren McBride hailed Nail Tech of the Year 2020 at the British Hair & Beauty Awards
Bournemouth-based nail tech, Lauren McBride, has been crowned Nail Tech of the Year 2020 at the British Hair & Beauty Awards. Having trained 17 years ago under CND educator, Jacqui Jefford, Lauren’s salon journey truly began as a Saturday girl at the age of 13, before she took up nail education five years later. “It…
Read MoreCTPA publishes annual report with a focus on moving forward post-Brexit
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) Annual Report has been published and outlines strategies moving forward post-brexit with a focus on its mission – it also welcomes a new chair to its board. The CTPA Annual Report has been redesigned this year to provide a focus on the Association’s strategy to: facilitate, protect, promote…
Read MoreMillie Kendall MBE addresses government stance on re-opening of nail & beauty salons on BBC Breakfast
Shortly after 8am this morning, CEO of the British Beauty Council, Millie Kendall MBE was invited onto BBC Breakfast for comment on the subject of nail and beauty salons re-opening across the UK in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. A guest alongside Sam Marshall, owner of The Beauty Guru at Media City, Millie highlighted that…
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