Revealed: one in five UK hair & beauty businesses operating at a loss
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has unveiled the findings of its latest State of the Sector survey, revealing a ‘busy but not profitable’ hair and beauty industry. The findings were sourced from 423 hair and beauty professionals and presented at NHBF event, Respect Live 2026 – The State…
Oscars 2026: 11 celebrity nail looks that stole the spotlight
The 98th Academy Awards (aka the Oscars) took place last night (15 March), celebrating the pinnacle of film. The event saw celebrities take to the red carpet showcasing opulent outfits and equally noteworthy nail looks. Let’s round up the top talons of the night… And the Oscars for ‘Best Nail…
HEMA in nail products: what is it & is it banned?
HEMA is a chemical widely used in nail products including gel polish, acrylic systems and nail primers. Comments circulating on social media have suggested a UK-wide ban on the substance, leaving nail professionals increasingly concerned. Let’s break down what HEMA is, what the current regulations say and whether there is…
Birmingham nail designer collaborates with museum to create manicure masterpiece
Rosie Lynall, a nail artist & designer working from Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, has collaborated with Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to create a miniature work of art. “The team at Fitzwilliam Museum contacted me in late 2025 and asked if I’d create a nail design inspired by pieces from their collections,”…
Suffolk salon owner completes 24-hour beauty treatment marathon in aid of Breast Cancer Now
Ixworth beauty professional, Isabelle Cross, completed 24 hours of back-to-back beauty appointments to raise money for Breast Cancer Now – a charity dedicated to life-changing research and care. The 21-year-old opened the doors to her home-based business at the age of 19, and offers treatments including builder gel enhancements, gel…
Tweezerman partners with Nottingham netball team to empower women in sport
Beauty tool brand, Tweezerman, has partnered with Nottingham Forest Netball to champion confidence and empower the next generation of women in sport. Based in Nottingham and with over 45 years of beauty industry experience, Tweezerman has decided to take its expertise beyond the beauty counter and onto the court. Netball…
Great Britain’s TPO ban: key dates & what it means for nail products, suppliers & techs
Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a photoinitiator that helps gel nail products cure quickly under UV light and maintain colour stability, will be banned from cosmetic products placed on the market in Great Britain from 15 August 2026. This follows the ban of the ingredient within the EU cosmetics market that…
Stratford-upon-Avon nail tech to complete 24-hour nailathon for children’s hospice
Stratford-upon-Avon is best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. But this April, another local is about to have her moment in the spotlight – and unlike the Bard, she’ll be doing it armed with nail products, an E-File and a whole lot of coffee… Alice Horgan has been working…
32 spot on polka dot nail designs for spring 2026
Dotty digits have been dominating nail trends for a while, and the timeless pattern shows no signs of going anywhere. Spring 2026 ushers in a fresh wave of light, vibrant and nature-inspired hues – and thanks to the endlessly customisable charm of polka dots, it’s easier than ever to weave…
Niche Nail Network returns to Solihull with elevated education offerings & expanded exhibitor line-up
Niche Nail Network is returning to Cranmore Park, Solihull, for a fourth consecutive year. The popular event, to be held on Sunday 19 April, is a full day shopping, networking and learning experience for nail professionals: a trade show concept that brings small businesses and nail artists together and allows brands…
AI nail machine brings Disney nail art to Shanghai shoppers
To celebrate Lunar New Year, Disney’s Shanghai store has been offering themed nail art to customers via Umia Beauty‘s AI-powered manicure studio. The nail art machine directly applies intricate patterns to nails, and serves to automate the time-consuming tasks of nail professionals, while compensating artists for their work. Find out…
The nail looks that stole the show at London Fashion Week AW26
London Fashion Week returned from 19-23 February 2026, showcasing highly anticipated autumn/winter clothing collections. Across the capital city, designers transformed runways into statements of intent: bold predictions for where fashion is headed. Among the details commanding attention were nail looks, which were considered, eye-catching and very much destined to have…
Nature nail art with a twist – contest entries & winner reveal
The winner of the Scratch Snap nail art contest for February is Karolina Paradowska of @nailsbykal_x. In a showcase of talent, UK&I techs created salon-style nail designs inspired by theme, Nature with a Twist, in the bid to win Glitterbels products and training. As Karolina is Polish, she incorporated Slavic flowers and pierogi (dumplings)…
Important March dates for your nail & beauty business
Prepare your business for the month of March with our roundup of dates to note… 1st: St David’s Day This event celebrates Saint David: the patron saint of Wales, on the day of his death in 589 AD. To commemorate the occasion, Welsh people often sport the country’s national emblems:…
Beauty pro launches accredited menopause massage method for salons & spas
Award-winning nutritionist, author & beauty pro, Alison Bladh, has launched a massage treatment to help women navigate menopause, and is sharing her expertise with salons worldwide. Alison Bladh is a CIDESCO-qualified aesthetician with a long career in the beauty education sphere. Her latest launch, Meno Massage Method™ – a holistic…
