Posts by Jess Watts
16 products that will help you nail the cat eye manicure trend
Lead image courtesy of @hopejungnails using Light Elegance P+ Gel Polish in Ice Kitty, available via www.lightelegance.co.uk. The iridescence and reflective depth of cats’ eyes have long entranced humans. So much so, that their power has been harnessed to create stunning nail designs. Specially crafted magnetic nail products contain metallic particles which, when passed over…
Read MorePro brand, Nail Jam, enters UK market with versatile 11pc builder gel range
Nail Jam is the passion project of Petra Janosikova, a nail tech with 16 years’ experience who is ‘deeply influenced by Eastern European beauty trends’. Petra was influenced to enter the nail industry by a family member who was a nail technician. She began perfecting her gel polish skills, and upgraded her skillset to hard…
Read More3 predictions set to impact the global beauty & personal care industry
Global market intelligence company, Mintel, has unveiled research that predicts future trends in approaches to beauty. “By 2030, beauty will go beyond skin-deep,” says the market intelligence hub. “The beauty experience will shift from simply delivering results to regulating mood and evoking emotion, while imperfection will be the new perfection.” Three key trends Mintel highlights…
Read MoreThe GelBottle Inc introduces Hard BIAB™ to aid nail length & durability
The GelBottle Inc, the nail brand behind the popular BIAB™ (Builder In A Bottle™) enhancement product, has launched an evolution of the builder gel: one that is engineered to meet client demands for durability, length and smooth application. Hard BIAB™ is a hybrid formula that combines the strength of hard gel with the slick application…
Read More21 nail designs for Breast Cancer Awareness
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an incredibly important campaign which aims to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Check out entries to the 8 October 2025 nail art challenge from Scratch, in which techs were tasked with creating a design to fit the theme: Breast Cancer Awareness. Each nail style was submitted via Instagram or Facebook using…
Read MoreStep inside the Bristol nail salon prioritising care, calm & confidence
Molly Gregory began nail tech life as a mobile pro, upon qualifying in 2018. After deciding that she wanted a base to work from, she successfully applied to work at a local nail salon, where she stayed until late 2020. After having her son in 2021, Molly ‘made the leap to being self-employed’. She grew…
Read MoreNail tool brand, MUSE, empowers techs through quality, consistency & community
Nail technician & educator, Becci Hollis, shares her journey launching nail tool brand, MUSE. Becci Hollis has been part of the nail industry for 11 years. Originally training as a nail technician, before opening her own salon and training academy, Becci has had her fair share of successful enterprises. Now, she adds one more to…
Read More24 Halloween nail products for superior spooky season styles
It’s spooky season! For many nail techs, this time of year is an opportunity to get creative with colour, texture and design. To do so, they need an arsenal of spooktacular products. Have a look at Scratch‘s Halloween haul to create top-notch talons…
Read MoreCTPA event demonstrates cosmetics industry’s commitment to non-animal testing
On September 29-30, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) showcased its dedication to advancing non-animal testing methods for chemical safety assessment, via training and workshops. The event, which explored ‘how to apply non-animal New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) frameworks’, consisted of two days of training at Woburn House, London.…
Read More5 colours everyone will be wearing on their nails this autumn
During each season, certain colours gain popularity. These hues are normally based on events and the general aesthetic of the time of year. Autumn 2025 is epitomised by five distinct shades: 1. Navy blue A sophisticated, versatile shade within the autumn colour palette, navy is a seasonal staple. The hue pairs well with other autumnal…
Read MoreAward-winning nail pros unite to create handy tools brand
Jojo Wickens and Leila Monroy, Scratch Stars Awards winners & co-owners of Light Elegance UK, have collaborated to produce LePhine Pro: a nail tool brand that ‘combines thoughtful design, professional quality and everyday usability’. Pronounced ‘Leh-feen’, the brand name combines the first parts of the duo’s names, with ‘Pro’ added to reflect a focus on meeting professional…
Read More38 ‘showgirl orange’ nail designs & products inspired by Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl
Swifties are screaming right now (and that includes me). Taylor Swift has announced her 12th album, revealing the title, track list, cover art and release date. Each of Taylor’s ‘eras’ have focused on a specific colour, and this time, orange is having its moment. To help celebrate TS12: The Life of a Showgirl, we have…
Read MoreNHBF launches checklists to support self-employed beauty professionals
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has launched a series of ‘free, easy-to-use checklists designed to support self-employed professionals and businesses across the hair and beauty sector’. Though self-employment comes with a lot of benefits and flexibility, running your own business also entails huge responsibilities that are not always easy to keep track of.…
Read MoreBuffBloom reinvents the nail buffer, evolving the legacy of original creator
In 1973, Jack Woodiwiss left his marketing career at a grinding wheels manufacturer in Staffordshire to begin his own business: developing foam-coated abrasives. These included a sanding block, which gained traction amongst large US companies and became a staple in the home improvement and auto repair sectors. Jack’s company, Abrapower Inc., caught the attention of…
Read More30 flirty heart nail designs to get your pulse racing
The classic heart: an evergreen symbol of love and affection that also happens to be incredibly aesthetically pleasing. Though February is the heart’s peak time, nail designs featuring the cute emblem are a yes year-round! Here are 30 inspo pics that will set your heart aflutter…
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