What is HEMA? HEMA, also known as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or hydroxyethyl methacrylate, belongs to the monomer family and is used as an adhesive in nail products. Having an adhesive property in the product is important to prevent service breakdown.  When alternative ingredients are used, using a coarser grit file can be necessary to ensure adhesion, in turn having its own issues and causing potential damage to the nail plate. The nail industry is not the only field that uses this ingredient. It is also widely used by dentists and orthopaedic surgeons. It is also used in 3D printing a ..read more

Salon business expert, Liz McKeon, has announced the return of her best-selling Start Your Own Business Mystery Client Shopping Programme.   Designed for those interested in becoming a professional industry mystery client shopper to start their own business and create a new revenue stream, or for team managers seeking to maintain high standards in their business, the five-star, two-day course teaches key skills for starting a new career in mystery client shopping. Mystery client shopping offers a cost-effective business start-up with unlimited earning potential, providing feedback to ..read more

After leaving her job as a horse riding instructor due to a life-changing diagnosis of an invisible illness, Lauren Mitchell of Phenomenail Wales opens up about how becoming a nail technician helped her regain confidence and purpose.   “I had acute onset Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, known as IIH, so I went completely blind within a two-week period and had to have emergency neurosurgery only two days after diagnosis,” Lauren remembers. “I have a VP shunt, which is like a permanent lumbar puncture. “I’m now partially sighted, and my sight fluctuates depending on the pressure in my ..read more

NovaLash has named Kristrún Sif Gunnarsdottir as Lash Artist of the Year for 2023, during its recent virtual LASHoff ceremony. LASHoff is a global video competition for NovaLash artists, which has been held annually since 2010. The competition aims to showcase NovaLash artists’ work while providing them with opportunities for recognition and advancement in their careers. The winner of this year’s competition, Kristrún, is based in Iceland and has been providing lash extensions to clients since 2006. In 2018, she trained with NovaLash and entered LASHoff to further her career. Her winning vide ..read more

Known for its wearable, ergonomic nail prep brushes, Manicure Project has launched its most accessible brush to date: L’Omni. Founded by nail tech, Natalie Havariyoun, Manicure Project aims to reduce repetitive strain injury (RSI) and improve techs’ performance through its tools. L’Omni is lightweight to provide a ‘barely there’ feel and ease of use when worn during nail prep, and rotates to an angle that suits each tech, helping to prevent RSI. It features a single compact brush head for precision work. Unlike the brand’s La Brush collection, which comprises three models: Original, Micro an ..read more

Tana Ramsay’s celeb-approved, luxury London beauty salon, All About The Girl, which scooped the Scratch Star for Retail Salon of the Year in 2013, will be rebranded as ‘Townhouse Northcote Road’. Closed with immediate effect, All About The Girl will reopen late April 2023 as a flagship Townhouse nail salon location, with Ramsay’s team continuing to work at the space and ensuring a seamless transition for clients. The refurbished salon will feature the signature stylish décor, modern technology and seasonal nail art menu of Townhouse, a two-time Scratch Stars Award winning brand. “After an ama ..read more

Determined to continue to pursue her dreams of being a professional nail artist despite her battle with cancer, luxury manicurist and acrylic specialist, Shara Lise Taylor, shares the story of her salon and nail journey. Qualifying in 2017, Shara has continued to hone her skills as a nail tech with a variety of in-person training from CJP educators and resources from The Nail Tech Tribe, run by Joanna Tompkins. Starting her first nail salon in her living room in 2017, Shara began using friends and family to practise her skills. Her confidence grew as her skills developed, and her business qu ..read more

Every nail competition has its own set of rules, and rules can change from year to year. Ensuring that you read the rules and understand them perfectly is an imperative part of the competing process, whether you are new to competitions or a seasoned pro, shares multi award-winning nail aficionado, Mino Vo. Those who compete without reading the rules often lose points that can be easily avoided. Some may also be disqualified. When I competed at Nailympia Canada, I lost five points because I did not have a bin next to my desk. I have also seen NailPro competitors submit Disney-themed artwork f ..read more

The nail industry has often been described as ‘one big family’, but for many nail brand owners, techs, and educators, it really is a true reality. Due to the fun, loving nature of the industry and the many family run businesses which are passed down, many people in this sector work with their husbands, wives, parents, siblings and in some cases, even the family dog spends time in the salon. To celebrate Mother’s Day on 19 March, Scratch shares the stories of mums and children who work together in the industry … 1. Belinda Price and daughters, Lucy, Jessica, Natalie & Catherine Belinda Pri ..read more

According to research by Yell, close to one million small businesses have £1,000 or less in savings, to help them during a downturn in revenue. This equates to 17% of all SMEs within the UK. The study also revealed the current lack of confidence many owners have on the likelihood of still being in business in 2024, with 13% of owners uncertain whether they will still be trading in 12 months time. The hair & beauty industry has been highlighted in this research with senior leaders of SME hair & beauty businesses (under 250 staff) also being surveyed and the study showing that one in 10 ..read more