Posts by Jess Watts
18 navy nail designs to note
There are a few colours that shine during the colder months, one of which is navy. The deep blue hue encompasses the earthy, rich tones of autumn, giving nails an elegance that transcends shape, style and occasion. Take a look at these navy nail ideas for your next autumn/winter mani…
Read MoreFind your inner peace with 20 nail designs celebrating the Libra star sign
It’s Libra season! The seventh sign of the zodiac governs between September 23 and October 22. Symbolised by the scales of balance, Libras are known for traits of balance, harmony, peace and justice. An air sign with Venus as its ruling planet, those with this star sign are often sociable and outgoing, with a tendency…
Read MoreImportant October dates for your nail & beauty business
Prepare your business for the month with our roundup of October dates to note… All month: Breast Cancer Awareness Month Since 1985, every October has marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a campaign organised by major breast cancer charities to raise awareness and funds for the continuation of breast cancer research. Encourage clients to sport…
Read MoreFeast your eyes on 15 nail designs inspired by food
Check out entries to the 24 September 2025 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Your favourite meal. Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch #CreativeChallenge. Follow Scratch on Instagram and Facebook for future Creative Challenges – launching every other Wednesday. Take a look at these designs, each one good enough…
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week spring/summer 2026 predicted these 5 nail trends
Lead image by Instagram.com/nailsbysammymac The biggest event in the UK fashion calendar, London Fashion Week, burst onto runways across the city this September. The variety of shows, featuring spring/summer 2026 collections, heralded a new age: not just for fashion, but for nails. The designs and colours showcased during Fashion Week tend to predict coming trends,…
Read MoreLondon Fashion Week: Backstage with the nail team at Paul Costelloe’s Palm Springs-inspired show
Scratch was invited to watch Paul Costelloe’s SS26 London Fashion Week show, featuring nails by Mii Cosmetics. Here’s what happened… Paul Costelloe’s spring/summer 2026 collection, ‘Boulevard of Dreams’, is an ode to the heyday of Palm Springs, with nods to Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. In a note to attendees, Paul wrote: “I…
Read MoreHow to remove gel polish safely without damaging nails
Gel polish overlays should not cause any damage to nails. As award-winning nail artist, Katie Clark (née Barnes), has previously written for Scratch, natural nail damage can occur as a result of ‘improper application or removal, overly aggressive filing or client abuse such as picking or biting’. If done without care, caution and the proper…
Read MoreStep inside the purple paradise nail salon in Hazel Grove, Greater Manchester
Nikki Holliday has had quite the year: just six months ago, she was an engineer, and now she owns a nail salon. She shares her journey to creating the purple paradise that is Nikki Nailed it… Nail tech, Nikki Holliday, has been passionate about nails for a long time. Though she officially trained and qualified…
Read MoreNail brand, B’Zillion, enters the UK market
Cornwall-based entrepreneurs, Christopher Hallett, Ashley Hayward and Victoria Hayward, have unveiled B’Zillion, a fashion-led nail brand that boasts HEMA-free gel nail products, accessories, over 30 gel polish shades and four neutral builder gels. The brand aims to make ‘high-performance, salon-quality nail products accessible to everyone – without compromising style or safety’. B’Zillion’s product portfolio includes…
Read MoreThe online nail membership for pros who ‘want to know everything’
Rebecca Orme is an award-winning nail tech, educator & competition judge, with 24 years’ experience in the industry. She talks Scratch through her most recent venture: a 12-month membership course ‘for qualified nail techs with a thirst to know everything’. Rebecca recently noticed a pattern in the nail industry. “I realised that there’s a significant…
Read MoreWhat is a Japanese manicure & why is it so popular?
Recently, the term ‘Japanese manicure’ has been circulating on social media, accompanied by a significant amount of buzz surrounding its benefits. Scratch spoke to a Japanese manicure specialist to find out what the treatment style involves and why its reputation is skyrocketing… Wild Beauty – a wellness spa in Forest Gate, London – specialises in…
Read MoreWhat do beauty clients want more of during their appointments? Industry report sheds light
Salon management software company, Phorest, has released its Consumer Insights Report 2025, unveiling the key trends shaping UK & Ireland salons… The independent survey conducted by Phorest gathered 716 responses from UK & Ireland salon guests, to find out what clients want from their salon experiences. What do clients want? How can nail salons fulfil…
Read MoreNHBF campaign urges government to recognise vital contribution of hair & beauty sectors
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has launched a campaign asking the UK Government to formally recognise the crucial contributions of the hair and beauty sector to the nation’s economy, communities and wellbeing. The campaign, Respect Our Sector, is a bold call-to-action focusing on three key points: recognise, invest and include. It urges policymakers…
Read More32 mouth-watering chocolate nail designs
Though 13 September is marked as International Chocolate Day, we believe that every day should celebrate the delicious, rich treat. Check out entries to the 10 September 2025 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Chocolate. Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using #ShowScratch…
Read MoreThe Wales nail salon displaying determination, decadence & dazzling cat eye designs
Rachel Lewis has been bringing her creativity to the nail industry since 2007, when she trained with CND™. After working from her home salon for years, she ended up taking on a new premises in 2023 and spent three months ‘completely transforming the space’. Thus, Pure Nails by Rachel in Newtown, Wales, was born. Pure…
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