Posts by Jess Watts
Micro nail art is trending: here are 20 inspo pics for the perfect mini mani
Are you trying to find a way to jazz up ‘clean girl’ nails without compromising the simple aesthetic? Enter micro nail art: because sometimes, less is more. Here are 20 nail art designs that embrace the subtle style…
Read MoreSweater season shades: the autumn/winter nail collections you need for 2025
As the colder months and darker days approach, so do product launches containing our favourite harvest hues and winter washes. Here are some AW25 collections to elevate your nails with seasonal sophistication… Lead nail image courtesy of Gelish & Morgan Taylor Andreia Professional MEOWGIC Cat Eye Effect Gel Polish Collection, www.andreiaprofessional.com / www.salon-services.com Hopping onto…
Read MoreThe wellness course designed to help beauty professionals manage physical demands
Wellness course, The Balanced Beauty Pro, has launched to help beauty professionals care for their bodies. The online course helps pros address the physical toll of working in the beauty industry. Created for beauty therapists, aestheticians, lash and nail technicians and hairdressers, The Balanced Beauty Pro course recognises and provides science-backed solutions for physical strain.…
Read MoreThe Bathgate beauty salon that started life as a bar
Katie McBride started her career in the beauty industry in 2011, studying Beauty Therapy at West Lothian College. She went on to complete courses with CND™ and Calgel, with additional qualifications in eyebrow and lash lifting treatments. In 2014, Katie’s dreams of owning a salon were fulfilled when her parents created The Beauty Barn in…
Read MoreScratch Stars Hall Of Famer reveals what it’s like to judge for the prestigious awards
Kayley Cairns, five-time Scratch Stars Award-winner, nail artist & educator, reveals what it’s like to judge for the esteemed competition, and shares advice for entrants. Kayley Cairns is no stranger to the Scratch Stars Awards. After taking home two awards for Mixed Media Artist of the Year and Nail Stylist of the Year, Kayley went…
Read MoreWhy Gen Z is ditching the 9-5 to start beauty businesses
Research from Small Business Saturday UK and Amex has found that 71% of Gen Z are interested in starting their own businesses, with beauty being among the most appealing sectors. Gen Z is entering the workforce with big dreams. Out of the 71% who reported interest in entrepreneurship, 31% said this was a closely held…
Read More67 udderly moo-smerising cow print nail designs
Cow print is a bold pattern that repeatedly enters the zeitgeist, and it is having a particular ✨moment✨ right now. According to Google Trends, searches for cow print-related nail art have increased monumentally in the last 12 months, with terms such as ‘cow print French tip nails’ skyrocketing by 250%. Check out entries to the…
Read MoreImportant September dates for your nail & beauty business
Get your business prepared for the month of September, with our roundup of dates to note… 1st: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day Ginger cats are widely regarded as the most affectionate of our feline friends; they have been dubbed ‘velcro cats’, requiring a lot of attention and love. While seen as very sweet, ginger cats have…
Read MoreKISS launches magical nail & lash collection inspired by Wicked: For Good
KISS Products, Inc. is casting a glamorously wicked spell over beauty lovers with the release of a Wicked-inspired collection. Fantastical press-on nails and fabulous false eyelashes exude the magic of Oz, transporting users over the rainbow. The 16-piece limited-edition collection, available across KISS Nails, FALSCARA and imPRESS, is inspired by the release of Wicked: For…
Read MoreThe Derby beauty salon where clients & staff are ‘one big family’
Meet Holly Asamoah, owner of BFLY – the beauty salon creating a home from home. BFLY, located two miles south of Derby city centre, was converted from a tattoo parlour to a luxurious relaxation hub in 2024, spearheaded by owner, Holly Asamoah. The salon space is reflective of Holly’s preferred home décor. “I chose neutrals,…
Read More12 Virgo nail designs for the star sign of the season
It’s Virgo season! This star sign is associated with those whose birthdays fall between 23 August and 22 September. The maiden is the symbol of Virgo, which represents harvest and therefore autumn. Virgos are known for their practical and analytical thinking, reliable nature and dedicated character. However, they tend to be stuck in their ways…
Read MoreFrom polish to pitch: The GelBottle Inc partners with Bristol Bears Women rugby team
The GelBottle Inc (TGB) has teamed up with Bristol Bears Women as its Official Nail Provider for the 2025/26 season. TGB is no stranger to sporting collaborations, with previous partnerships including Wimbledon stars, McLaren F1 Racing and the Lionesses. The latest collaboration – between the female-owned nail brand and women’s rugby team – continues TGB’s…
Read MoreScratch Stars Educator of the Year 2025 shares secrets to nail industry success
Michelle Brookes is an award-winning nail technician & educator who won Scratch Stars Educator of the Year for the second time in July. She tells Scratch what makes a good educator, how her processes have evolved and what’s next for her career… “Winning the Scratch Stars Educator of the Year award 2025 was a huge…
Read MoreSilver nails are trending: here are 20 looks to show off the shine
A new nail trend is taking over, this time pioneered by TikTok. Content creator, Amanda Chen (@amandasujin), garnered a lot of attention when her video showing her silver nail polish picks went viral. Hailed as the ‘new neutral’, silver nails are everywhere, with Google analytics reporting a 48% increase in searches over the past three…
Read MoreUCA graduate adds 5,000 false nails to fashion project
Demitris Zacharia recently graduated from UCA with a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design. His final major project, titled ‘The Good, The Bad and The Glamorous’, caught the eye of Scratch due to its unusual and innovative use of false nails. Demistris shares his inspiration and ideation, and why false nails played such a key role…
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