Scratch Magazine April 2022 by scratchmagazine

PRESENTS

FEATURING EXCLUSIVE PREVIEWS OF CND™ PRO SKINCARE MANI AND PEDI SPA RANGE

CND™ MEDITERRANEAN DREAM SHELLAC COLLECTION

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT Distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland with Love and Respect

CND™ PLEXIGEL™ TOUR is a not-to-be-missed, exclusive education event designed for nail professionals looking to discover the ultimate solution in bullet-proofing colour and building the ultimate transformations.

MAR 20 CHELMSFORD MAR 21 BRIGHTON MAR 22 BRISTOL

SOLD OUT

MAR 28 EDINBURGH

SOLD OUT

MAR 29 NEWCASTLE APR 03 LEEDS

APR 05 BIRMINGHAM APR 10 EDINBURGH 11 LEEDS

TICKETS AVAILABLE

SOLD OUT

APR 04 MANCHESTER

APR

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT SOLD OUT SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

E JOIN US LIV

APR 19 PLEXIGEL x REGISTER NOW AT SWEETSQUARED.COM/ACADEMY2-LIVE

Don’t just take our word for it. Scan here to discover how CND™ PLEXIGEL has worked for other professionals.

sweetsquared.com 03 3 3 0 0 0 70 0 0

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT Distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland with Love and Respect

NEW COLLECTION

NEW PRO SKINCARE ELEVATED SKINCARE AT YOUR SERVICE

COMING SOON...

Be the first to hear when we launch.

Eighteen years of... ®

Issue 228

Managing editor Helena Biggs helena.biggs@scratchmagazine.co.uk

at in g. on is so in vig or he sp rin g se as ne or hi ns su hi nt s of Wh et he r it’ s th e to ive dr e th on se en co lo ur fu l flo ra ls of jo y, e ns se fe el a gr ea te r wo rk, I al wa ys g rin sp en wh m ot iva tio n, an d th er ef or e . co m es ar ou nd

Publisher Scott Derbyshire scott.derbyshire@scratchmagazine.co.uk News & features writers Chloe Randall chloe.randall@scratchmagazine.co.uk Emma Hobday emma.hobday@scratchmagazine.co.uk Rebecca Hitchon rebecca.hitchon@scratchmagazine.co.uk Editorial assistant Callie Iley callie.iley@scratchmagazine.co.uk Art editor Jessica Wilkie jess.wilkie@scratchmagazine.co.uk Group sales manager Ian Archbold ian.archbold@scratchmagazine.co.uk Accounts Lisa Ebbens lisa.ebbens@scratchmagazine.co.uk Co-founder Alex Fox Editorial/Advertising office 1 The Courtyard, Market Square, Westerham, Kent TN16 1AZ

T: +44 (0) 1959 547 000

t on my own in to see that I’m no ed I was delighted names embrac w as so many ne to e feeling this way, ared tim portunity and sp a competition op The talent and th. on m t las ds try ratch Stars Awar Sc the to wonderful indus a try at en submit an t reaffirmed wh jus s trie en the . t ongs reers blossom passion seen am r to see their ca ated pros eage dic de of l ful is; s thi pports il career and su s you in your na te iva ot ile at m sm at t en wh larly , seeing your cli Ask yourself regu a perfect stiletto g st? tin po ea ta cr Ins it t Is es . likes on your lat your enthusiasm and ent or hitting 30 m es int ey po ur yo ap ir en the Op the end of let them wane. skills topiving forces, don’t spirits high and ur yo Whatever your dr ep ke to s ge en all oto, how ch d ph il an na as king the perfect ears to new ide ure advice on ta support at to fe w we ho , d ue an iss , notch. This software solution a th wi e des of tim co t in adm ucts and clien you can free up h needs with prod alt es how he l ar ta sh en nd m d ala Ze your eyesight an tech from New al ion at pir ins more, an she loves. conduct. What’s nue doing the job allenges to conti ch e m co er ov she’s , uch like a flower endless, and m e ar s rd fo af try this indus en you need The opportunities e will be times wh s of growth. Ther cle cy ady to grow, re gh be ou l thr u’l yo go you’ll and others when , ble sta d an ivated, make you do feel mot to stay grounded ccess. But when su r fo your all. h ac ge re en d blossom an the next chall feeling and give the e ac br em u sure yo Until next time,

Do you need to renew or update your Scratch subscription? Call +44 (0) 1580 883 844

ISSN 2635-0327 Contributors Lilly Delmage, Victoria Brownlie, Annabel Maginnis, Sadie Jordan, The FNP. Subscriptions Curwood CMS Ltd T: 01580 883844 Printer Warners Midlands PLC Printers Mailing House Mailing & Fulfilment MK Ltd

Helena Biggs Managing editor +44(0)1959 547 000 helena.biggs@scratchmagazine.co.uk

COVER CREDITS

Images courtesy of Pure Nails

Halo Gel Polish shades shown are Ballgown, Enchanted Rose, Fairytale, Far Far Away, Glass Slipper and Mirror Mirror from the spring 2022 ‘Once Upon A Time’ nail colour collection. Available via www.purenails.co & associated stockists.

www.scratchmagazine.co.uk www.olympiabeauty.co.uk www.nailympia.com The publisher of Scratch magazine has taken all reasonable measures to ensure the information detailed in Scratch is correct at the time of going to print, and while every care is taken to avoid inaccuracies, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions from any information within this or previous editions. © 2022 SEED PUBLISHING LTD

Image courtesy of The GelBottle Inc showcasing the Wisteria nail shade from the Regency Bloom collection. CEO: Daisy Kalnina Photographer: Ashleigh Bell Retoucher: Vanessa Newark Model: Sadie Jordan Nail tech specialist & team co-ordinator: Tiffany Minifie Creative content director: Daisy Fisher Graphic designer: Emily Montgomery Head of marketing: Marie Clements www.thegelbottle.com /thegelbottleinc

Follow Scratch and Nailympia:

@the_gelbottle_inc

Scan to download the Scratch App:

PLAY THE PALETTE FEATURING ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED GELCOLOR • INFINITE SHINE • NAIL LACQUER • POWDER PERFECTION

AVAILABLE AT TRADE.OPIUK.COM

Contents APRIL 2022

FEATURES 22 Talk Of The Town

Go behind the scenes with The GelBottle Inc as the brand shoots images for its Bridgerton-inspired spring collection

28 Consult, Identify & Prevent

Expand your knowledge on allergies & how to help prevent them in the nail space

32 Egg-ceptional Easter Art

Capitalise on the Easter holiday with some cracking nail design inspo & pretty pastel products

42 Bride Vibes

Is your bridal client classic or alternative? Check out how to choose the perfect nail style to complement their dress

50 Thirty & Thriving

Celebrate with Scratch as we reflect on NSI UK’s 30 year success supplying & supporting nail pros

54 Save The Strain

Reduce the impact of intricate nail work on eyes with advice from techs & handy lighting solutions

58 Time On Your Hands

Bogged down by business admin? Check out the management software loved by 55,000 beauty pros

62 Brothers & Sisters

Siblings Day is commemorated on 10 April, so take a look at brothers & sisters working together across the nail sector

72 Power & Passion

Learn more about Entity Beauty, the brand formed by icons & fuelled by a desire to aid salon needs

76 The Smart Choice

Explore how the SMARTDiode Pro can can set you apart from competition & pull in profit

REGULARS

80 Instagram – Meet Reality

Too much filter? Check out tips from photography pros to make the best of your nail pics & headshots

84 Care vs. Overshare

Help set boundaries with clients & explore how their oversharing can impact your mental health

88 Nailympia Online 2nd Edition: Meet The Winners

Take a peek at the champions of the second online Nailympia competition, which attracted 170 international entrants

98 Overcoming Obstacles

A New Zealand nail stylist shares how she’s overcome challenges to forge a successful career from home

10 18 30 38 66 68 70 78 86 94 96 100 104 106

Nail Nation The Hot List The Scratch Scoop The Force Of The Feds Through The Keyhole Readers Gallery Just Add Glitter Nailscopes Style With Sadie Sustainability Steps Business Matters Ask The Experts Nail Clippings Fingernails In Focus

Bridal Gel Polish Collection Our Bridal gel polish collection is made up of 8 beautiful complementary colours that will be a massive hit with your clients. A combination of super popular nude colours with a rose gold glitter and your traditional pink and white, everything you need this spring and beyond.

Union

Fairytales

www.nailchemy.co.uk

support@nailchemy.co.uk Nailchemy® is a registered trademark.

Garter

Blushing

RSVP

Bouquet

Nailchemy

Corsage

Handfasting

Create Magical Nails

™

@nailchemy #nailchemy

Nail NATION

news & views

business

EcoBeautyScore Consortium adds

member to help develop ecoassessment system for cosmetics

UK government approves licencing framework for non-surgical beauty treatments Following pressure from beauty industry bodies and the APPG on Beauty, Aesthetics & Wellbeing, the government has announced that it will crack down on unregulated cosmetic procedures. It is hoped by many across the beauty industry that this will spark the introduction of further licencing regimes across the sector, particularly in the unregulated UK nail industry. The move follows on from legislation making it illegal to administer the likes of Botox and filler treatments to under 18s, and banning adverts on all forms of media including social media, influencer advertising and traditional advertising for cosmetic procedures that target under 18s. Health & social care secretary, Sajid Javid, comments: “While most of those in the aesthetics industry follow good practice when it comes to patient safety, far too many people have been left emotionally and physically scarred after botched cosmetic procedures. “We’re doing all we can to protect patients from potential harm, but I urge anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to take the time to think about the impact on both their physical and mental health and ensure they are using a reputable, safe and qualified practitioner.” In a statement released on Twitter, Carolyn Harris MP & Judith Cummins MP, co-chairs of the APPG on Beauty, Aesthetics Carolyn Harris MP Judith Cummins MP & Wellbeing, said: “We are thrilled to see the government has accepted our recommendation to introduce a national licencing framework in law for non-surgical cosmetic treatments. “Our year-long investigation found that the regulation of these treatments remains fragmented, obscure and out of date, meaning anyone can carry out a treatment anywhere, with next to no restrictions on what qualifications they must have to do so. This has left consumers at risk and undermined the industry’s ability to develop. “Maintaining the status quo is not an option. We urge the government to accept our report’s recommendations in full and look forward to working with them to better protect consumers and support the industry.” www.baw-appg.com

10 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

The International Natural & Organic Cosmetics Association (NATRUE) has joined the EcoBeautyScore Consortium, an initiative to support more sustainable consumer choices. Thirty-six cosmetics and personal care companies and professional associations, including Coty, PZ Cussons, Unilever and L’Oréal Groupe, make up the Consortium, which aims to develop an industry-wide environmental impact assessment and scoring system for cosmetics products. The Consortium remains open for other companies and associations to join. The approach has a global scope and seeks to help provide consumers with clear, transparent and comparable environmental impact information based on a common science-based methodology. This will contribute to meeting demand for greater transparency about the environmental impact of cosmetics products (formula, packaging and usage). “We must all face the overarching issue of sustainability jointly and head-on in order to achieve meaningful social and environmental change,” comments Dr Mark Smith, director general of NATRUE. Mark Smith “NATRUE is delighted to join the global EcoBeautyScore Consortium initiative to support environmental claims and enhanced transparency, in order to help consumers make more sustainable product choices, which is very much at the heart of NATRUE.” www.natrue.org E: contact@ecobeautyscore-consortium.org

Nail tech duo joins forces to create Versa Pro L&P line Danielle Simmons, founder of Nail & Beauty Network, and fellow nail pro, Angela Charleston, have combined their knowledge of tech needs to launch the Versa Pro L&P acrylic system. Made in the UK and the USA, the line has been tested by a team of 14 techs over two years and is the second release from the brand, which launched soft gel tips in 2021. Polymer is available in Save 10% eight core shades in three sizes, with code and monomer is available in VERSASCRATCH 250ml and 500ml sizes in Hemafree and standard formulations. Completing the range is an acid-free primer. Trial kits are available for £18.99 + VAT. The Versa Pro L&P acrylic system is available via www.nailandbeautynetwork.com

BEAUTIFUL MIRAGE

Heart braker

MYSTIC MINT

radiate my love

GODDESS OF LIGHT

sHe’s a spark plug

ISN’T IT MAGICAL?

torque it!

DIVINE BEAUTY

grease monkey

supercHarged

DAZZLING DAYDREAM

artisticnaildesign.com proFessional Formulas | proFessional results™ model is wearing sHe’s a spark plug

0333 000 2100 +44(0)20 8238 6300 info@louellabelle.co.uk www.louellabelle.co.uk

facebook.com/louellabelle @louella_belle linkedin.com/company/louella-belle

pinterest.com/louellabelleuk instagram.com/louellabelle

business

Nail NATION

M+ PLATFORM SEEKS TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE AROUND MENOPAUSE IN THE SALON Specialist in oncology therapies, skincare and wellbeing for cancer patients, Jennifer Young, has launched the M+ (The Menopause Plus) platform. Renowned for her cancer training for beauty pros and Beauty Despite Cancer skincare line, Jennifer’s M+ forum is designed to make the narrative around Jennifer Young menopause more positive. The website is packed with research and practical skincare and wellbeing solutions from experts to better understand menopause amongst clients. Topics covered range from products to address changing skin, hot flushes and brittle nails, to advice on anxiety, depression and changing relationship dynamics. As well as providing advice for menopausal women, The Menopause Plus educates beauty and spa therapists in areas such as hormonal wellness, helping them to offer dedicated support to clients. With a history of working with women who are going through the menopause, both naturally and due to the effects of cancer treatments, Jennifer found menopause support sites to be largely uninspiring, negative and not centred around solutions or pharmaceutical research. She has also noticed that marketing often presents menopausal women as vulnerable and miserable. Jennifer comments: “M+ is about celebrating women and providing tools to embrace a new stage of life with the strength and power that we have been harnessing our whole lives.” www.themenopauseplus.com

Full body light therapy bed serves to support anti-ageing & wellbeing The Body Boost Bed from Beam Supreme Ltd. is a full body device utilising photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, a non-thermic light therapy that is making waves in the beauty sphere. EU medically certified and with hundreds of studies and trials evidencing the benefits of PBM, the system uses blue, red and near-infrared light to treat the face and whole body of clients, as well as enhance the effects of other treatments. Benefits include: • increased production of skin elastin and collagen for an anti-ageing effect. • accelerated healing of wounds and scars. • a targeting and reduction of the root of pain and inflammation (particularly helpful for relaxing clients with joint pain or arthiritis). • an increase in blood flow, improving muscle recovery and performance. • a boost to immunity, with powerful antimicrobial effects preventing infection. Clients have also noted reduced stress levels and improved wellness after receiving the treatment. The Body Boost Bed requires 25-minute sessions, with the only labour required between each client visit being sanitisation. The electrical running costs of the bed are low, and Beam Supreme Ltd. estimates that the electrical cost to a provider is 30p per used hour or just over 12p per session. For more information, visit www.beamsupremeltd.com

Tariffs to be dropped on imports of US manufactured nail products From June 1 2022, the United States will end tariffs of American manufactured manicure and pedicure products to the UK. At present, the tariff imposed is 25%, which has had a significant impact on the sales and profitability of UK beauty businesses who import and resell American manufactured nail products. The rollback of the tariffs marks the end of a long-standing dispute between the United Kingdom and the United States. It was in March 2018 that former US president, Donald Trump, announced tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act 1962, in the name of national security. This saw tax on the importation of a number of UK goods, including steel and aluminium, as well as the exportation of certain personal care items including manicure and pedicure products. In response, the United Kingdom put in place extra tariffs on certain US goods, such as whiskey and blue jeans. On March 22 2022, the United States announced plans to remove its Section 232 tariffs. This led to the UK government confirming that it will suspend its retaliatory tariffs, stating that it plans to work closely with the US to ‘address the wider issue of global steel excess capacity and market-distorting practices.’

12 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Pre-Set Memory Function 10, 30, 60 & *90 Sec

Sensitive/Low Heat Setting*

5 Finger Cure & Automatic Sensor

New SMART LAMP The NEW Gellux Smart LED lamp offers flawless and complete curing for outstanding shine and long lasting treatments. Available at your wholesaler now.

#Gellux

www.salonsystem.com

@salonsystem

Powerful 30W Curing

FORMER NHS WORKER CREATES WEARABLE NAIL BRUSH TO HELP PREVENT RSI AMONGST TECHS Natalie Havariyoun, a former NHS worker knowledgeable in repetitive strain injury in the hand, wrist and elbow, has put her expertise to practice by creating La Brush, a handy nail brush coined as ‘the only wearable brush in the world’. Founded in 2021, Natalie’s company, Natalie Havariyoun Manicure Project, boasts two La Brush options; Original and Micro. La Brush is designed to be worn on the nail pro’s finger of choice, ready for use when needed during the nail service. The lightweight tool can be rotated to an angle to suit the tech and help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury. Natalie hopes the product will support nail professionals in completing their treatments with ease, as well as preventing RSI and adding a touch of luxe to the experience for both clients and technicians. La Brush is made to measure; pros receive a complimentary Sizers Pack to their delivery address to determine finger size, supporting comfortability, precision and control. Once the Manicure Project is informed of the size, the bespoke La Brush will be manufactured in the workshop in England and hand finished by the team. What’s more, Natalie is donating 10% of all Manicure Project profits to the Antenatal Results & Choices charity. Shop La Brush at www.manicureproject.com

Brush photo courtesy of @francesca_skykes_nail_artist

NAIL & BEAUTY BITES

Enchanted Essence has launched 12 nail art brushes, including liner brushes, clean-up brushes and gel brushes. Priced at £8.50 inc VAT each, shop the brushes via www.enchantedessenceshop.com

14 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Majestic Towels has added a Wipeable Apron to its Wipe Clean product range, offering protection for uniforms. Available in White and Steel Grey, it is suitable for use with antibacterial cleaners and has an adjustable neck strap. Available for £17.95 + VAT via www.majestictowels.co.uk

Global colour authority, Pantone, has revealed the top 10 standout colours for New York Fashion Week for autumn/winter 2022/2023. These will complement five core classic hues; Arctic Wolf, Autumn Blonde, Polar Night, Loden Frost and Chilseled Stone. “Colours for autumn/winter 2022/2023 contrast our competing desires for calm and comfort with energy boosting vitality through a range of restful and restorative colours, in tandem with exuberant tones,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “As we move forward into an environment filled with contradiction, hues for autumn/ winter 2022/2023 enable consumers to move fluidly between a range of contrasting shades, allowing them to spontaneously express who they are and how they feel on any given day.” The colours are: • Lava Falls • Samoan Sun • Orange Tiger • Rose Violet • Amazon • Nosegay • Waterspout • Caramel Café • Midnight • Martini Olive www.pantone.com

Beauty ranked as second most popular industry on TikTok Research by Money.co.uk has found that one in four people (26%) shop locally after being inspired to do so via social media. Using the hashtag #smallbusiness on TikTok, the team then analysed the number of views and videos to reveal which segments are most popular on the app. Fashion businesses take the crown, with over 212 million TikTok views, with beauty coming in second with almost 120 million. Beauty businesses that retail nail products, bath products and toiletries were found to occur most frequently. The top 10 pieces of small business content on the platform were also ranked, with a Nail Growth Oil video by @rxthism coming in first, with over 17.7 million views. www.tiktok.com

Perfect Beauty Group has unveiled a Brow & Lash Hybrid Tint line by Perfect Eyelash, partnering tinting and henna ingredients. Featuring aloe vera and green tea, the tints are available in six shades via www.perfectbeautygroup.co.uk

French nail brand, Manucurist, has sought inspiration from Italy’s Amalfi Coast for its latest colour additions. Light Blue and Mimosa are reminiscent of the blue horizon and lemon tree gardens and are available in lacquer and Green Flash gel polish via www.manucurist.com

Images courtesy of Pantone

pleasure

Nail NATION

Pantone shares 10 trending colours for AW 22/23

Sally Hansen unveils virtual try-on tool for nail colour Nailcare brand, Sally Hansen, has partnered with beauty tech solutions provider, Perfect Corp., to launch a virtual nail colour try-on experience. The digital feature is the first-to-market application of Perfect Corp.’s AgileHand TM Technology, which allows consumers to view hundreds of Sally Hansen nail colour and finish options on a live moving image of their own hand. It also offers the option to use a sliding tool to navigate an instant before and after nail comparison, as well as take a photo of the shade tried. The virtual try-on experience is suitable for online and in-person shopping; ideal for indecisive consumers. It also offers a practical solution to prevent opening polish bottles unnecessarily. “Nail polish is a highly impulsive category and consumers love to experiment with any number of shades and finishes. Now, Sally Hansen fans can feel free to play even more with our virtual try-on tool,” comments Jean-Denis Mariani, chief digital officer at Coty, home of the Sally Hansen brand. “The technology that Perfect Corp. has created offers an augmented reality experience where consumers see how a precisely colour-matched polish performs on their exact skin tone and nail shape and in changing lighting.” www.sallyhansen.com

DIARY DATES FOR THlasEt few a we ek s of Ol ym pi

Ca tch th e d fre e an ex clu siv e an Be au ty Sp rin g, ion s an d ot om pr g in fer on lin e ev en t of s, er sh ip s, se rv ice dis co un ts, me mb . re ed uc ati on an d mo o. uk ly m pi ab ea ut y.c Vi sit at w w w .o

L 18 UNTI RIL P A

PIA OLYM TY BEAU G N SPRI

th e on ly Th e fin ali sts in UK na il e th 1 aw ar ds fo r an no un ce d be ll MAY H wi y str du TC DS in A we bs ite R tch C ra S on th e Sc AR S AWSTS cia l so R its ss A ro ac T d an S I FINAL NCED! me di a pl at fo rm s wi th U ANNO t th e ne xt in fo rm at io n ab ou s. gin g pr oc es sta ge of th e jud cratchstars agazine.co.uk/s hm tc ra sc w. ww

Nailympia ®

l l Internationa Signature Nai a, one pi m ly ai N ION is bringing 6-8 COMPETIT g and most MAY 2022 of the leadin Y N A M R il GE IA ned global na P w no M re Y ships, to NAIL ANY t tech champion eating a grea GERM e first time, cr th r fo y gners as part si de il German na l al for opportunity competitive . 22 20 ‘ üsseldorf of Beauty D ‘

Bio Sculpture & Anya Hindmarch pair up to offer manis at London pop-up Bio Sculpture teamed up with British fashion designer, Anya Hindmarch, to provide fashionforward nail looks for trend-conscious Londoners throughout March. Anya’s Colour Therapy Nails Bar was a pop-up nail bar at the Anya Village on Pont Street, Belgravia, London, open seven days and featuring space for four clients at a time. Guests indulged in a cocktail while receiving their choice of treatment; Anya’s Gel Manicure by Bio Sculpture or Anya’s Polish Manicure by Bio Sculpture. Artists in residence at Anya’s included Isabel May, Michelle Class, Michelle Humphrey, Julia Diogo and Harriet Westmoreland. www.renewbeauty.co.uk

Mint Tint has added five Flexi Base shades to its builder and base gel range. Self-levelling, they can be used for building, shaping and creating enhancements. The hues include Chalk, a soft milky white, and Pillow Talk, a natural pink, available via www.minttint.co.uk SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 15

NEWPRODUCTS

Lecenté Press On Nail Tips £14.99 + VAT www.lecente.com / www.sweetsquared.com www.ellisons.co.uk For a quick enhancement solution, check out these full coverage press on nail tips, available in coffin style in both clear and natural. The box contains 600pcs in different sizes with a chart to make it easy to size tips for your clients.

The GelBottle Inc Regency Bloom Collection £150 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com Swoon over this 10-piece Bridgerton inspired collection from The GelBottle Inc, inspired by the sophistication, romance and decadence of the Regency era. Curated with TGB educators and ambassadors, each collection comes in a powder blue satin bag with a set of floral FoilX Foils. Shades are available individually from £14.50 + VAT each, and in minis from £8 + VAT each.

List THE HOT

Scratch scours the industry for the latest nail & beauty products to captivate clients Nailchemy Wicked Matte Top Coat Gelish Dip Ombré Coat & lend a helping hand £10.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk £16.99 + VAT www.gsgroupuk.com This eggshell-style matte top coat is perfect Speed up the application of a full set of to your services for Easter themed manis and more! Packed

dip ombré nails with this LED curable coat, formulated to be used in conjunction with dip colour powders to create an ombré fade in just a few minutes.

Salon System Gellux Free Spirit Collection £11.95 + VAT each. Available from wholesalers nationwide. Inspired by childhood memories and happy moments, this collection is the brand’s first collaboration with Gellux expert, Julie-Anne Larivière. The eight gel polish shades include minty green Go With The Flow and pinky-purple Glorious & Free. Each bottle features a colour filled cap.

18 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

with black glitter, it can be applied on top of any Nailchemy Gel Polish shade to create a speckled effect. Cleanse to finish.

Elan Nail & Cuticle Hand Balm £12 + VAT/RRP £20 www.elanskincare.co.uk Hydrate cuticles and moisturise hands with this on-the-go conditioning balm. Featuring antimicrobial magnolia extract, rosehip oil, squalene and vitamin E, the formula is natural and veganfriendly and should be massaged into hands, nails and cuticles several times a day for best results.

NEWPRODUCTS

Brillbird Brush & Go Gel Pastel Collection £12.50 inc VAT each www.brillbirduk.co.uk The nine pretty pastel hues in Brillbird’s latest Brush & Go collection are perfect for spring nail styles. The highly pigmented hard gel formula is ideal for full colour coverage over the natural nail or enhancements, as well as artwork – from intricate fine lines to blends and highlights.

Margaret Dabbs Pure Cuticle Oil £POA/RRP £18 www.margaretdabbs.co.uk This handbag-friendly cuticle oil features jojoba oil and borage seed oil to hydrate and smooth sensitive and irritated skin. Fast-absorbing in a rollerball format, its frosted glass bottle looks luxe on the nail desk and the oil is scented with fragrant rose and lemon.

Halo Create Glitters £1.69 + VAT each www.purenails.co Add eye-catching appeal to manis and pedis with the 12 sparkly additions to the Halo Create range of nail art products. The multi-flake glitters include the pretty lilac #BePoised, holographic silver #BeProud and golden #BeBrilliant. Ideal for use alongside all Halo systems, the glitters each come in a 5g diamond jar.

Miss Lucy Spring Floral Nail Decals in 01 £3.20 inc VAT www.misslucy.uk Add spring elements to your nail styles in seconds with these abstract nail decals. It’s recommended that the transparent decals are applied over a white base or light nail colour for best results. Simply soak for 30 seconds, slide off the backing sheet and place onto the nail.

Glitterama Gelly Baby Collection £9.99 inc VAT each www.glitterama-nails.com Glitterama has launched 34 Hema-free gel polish shades, manufactured in the UK. Serving up a high-shine finish, standout hues include on-trend Alice Blue, hot pink Wild Child and sparkling Peek-A-Boo. The complete collection is available for £199 inc VAT.

CND™ SHELLAC™ No-Wipe Top Coat from £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com Remove a step from your SHELLAC™ services with this long-lasting, highshine no-wipe top coat. Designed to support three weeks of colour wear, the formula resists chipping and peeling and features a curve-hugging brush for smooth, even application. Also available in CND Vinylux™ formula.

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 19

town COVERSTORY

Talk of the Rejoice, dear reader – the romantic, decadent & oh-so Bridgerton-style spring collection from The GelBottle Inc has been revealed! CHLOE RANDALL blows the whistle on the shades & steps behind-the-scenes at the campaign photo shoot…

Whether your client is as sweet as Daphne, bold like Lady Danbury or as cool as Lady Whistledown, the Regency Bloom spring nail collection has a colour to suit. Inspired by the hit Netflix show, The GelBottle Inc has infused the romanticism and sophistication of Bridgerton with a dash of fun to formulate 10 swoon-worthy shades. Curated with TGB educators and ambassadors, these highly pigmented hues include ‘Ball Gown’, a duck-egg blue, and ‘Wisteria’, a milky pastel lilac finished with a frosted shimmer that features on this month’s front cover. “We loved the lavish style of the collection’s namesake Regency era and wanted to honour it with an over-the-top regal photoshoot,” the TGB team reveals. Dressed in timely attire, they headed to a stately setting in Sussex and ordered thousands of flowers to support their creative concepts, producing images to show off the shades in style. “We shot over 1500 photos and once we’d whittled them down to our favourite options, we had a creative meeting with Scratch to choose an image for the front cover of the April issue; available in time for the second series of Bridgerton.”

COVER CREDITS CEO: Daisy Kalnina Photographer: Ashleigh Bell Retoucher: Vanessa Newark Model: Sadie Jordan Nail tech specialist & team co-ordinator: Tiffany Minifie Creative content director: Daisy Fisher Graphic designer: Emily Montgomery Head of marketing: Marie Clements

22 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

COVERSTORY

The photo shoot

To radiate the Regency era theme, the location Team TGB chose for the photo shoot was imperative to the campaign. “We happened upon a gorgeous manor house in rural Sussex, which reflected the history and grandeur behind this collection,” the team reveals. “We knew as soon as we walked in that the manor house was a perfect fit.” Taking place over two days, the entire TGB creative department was on hand to support, as well as some of the brand’s ambassadors. “We started early in the morning with our incredibly talented hair and make-up pros, producing test shots and making sure everything looked just ‘so’. “We wanted to use members of Team TGB to shoot the collection instead of models, as while a photo shoot is hard work, it’s such a fun way to bond as a team. “We all wore Regency-themed costumes and the venue was surrounded by whimsical Baby’s Breath for a true spring feel. In between shooting still pictures, we also worked on a fun video with music for our social media platforms – which meant a lot of lipsyncing! It was a hilarious experience but we’re so proud of the result. “While the shoot was all about exuding grandeur and sophistication, Team TGB likes to be fun and approachable, and we hope the playful shades and video content reflects this.” Scan here to watch the Regency Bloom collection video

“We wanted to use members of Team TGB to shoot the collection instead of models, as while a photo shoot is hard work, it’s such a fun way to bond as a team.”

Daisy’s pick

“My favourite shade in the collection is Jane’s Jewels. It is infused with gorgeous gold flecks for a luxurious finish, while remaining classic and understated. It looks equally dreamy with both Extreme Shine and Matte top coats and on both long and short nails, so I’m really excited to see this on a variety of spring and bridal nail looks.”

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 23

COVERSTORY

Meet the shades

The full collection (£150 + VAT) comes encased in a decadent blue satin bag with a gift of floral FoilX Foils for extra elegance. Prices range from £14.50-£18 + VAT for full-size bottles, and £8-£9 + VAT for mini sizes.

Pavilion Garden A bright leafy green with yellow undertones that will add a flourish and pop of colour to any mani. Pavilion Garden is inspired by the Royal Pavilion in Brighton; a stone’s throw from TGB HQ.

Jane’s Jewels Jane’s Jewels is a precious semi-sheer soft pink scattered with unique flecks of gold that add 24k luxury to a mani or pedi; sure to become an heirloom in your collection.

Wisteria A colour inspired by the delicate cascading Wisteria vines that grace the archways of the manor. This milky pastel lilac is finished with a frosted shimmer that glistens like morning dew.

Porcelain

Ball Gown

Turner’s Sunset

Just like the finest china, Porcelain is a delicate, glossy pastel blue with cool undertones. The palest blue in the TGB collection, it’s a shade that suits every occasion.

Set to be the highlight of the social season, Ball Gown is a charming shade of soft duckegg blue with a cool undertone. Wear from powder room to ballroom to cause quite the stir.

An enchanting, warm, creamy and peachy orange taken straight from an artist’s paintbrush to achieve that golden hour glow. Use Turner’s Sunset to create your very own mani masterpiece.

Vanity A treasure that deserves pride of place on every Vanity. This graceful barely-there pink is beaming with an iridescent gold shimmer to unlock the glow within.

Love Letter Fall head over heels for Love Letter, a creamy off-white shade that’s versatile, classic and sealed with a loving kiss. This warm eggshell ivory will catch the eye of every secret admirer.

In Bloom

Tea Room

Transport clients to the heart of a secret garden with In Bloom, a lavish shade of orchid purple that’s as bold as it is beautiful.

Inspired by a Regency high tea, this refreshing vibrant turquoise is perfect for the season and sure to be your client’s cup of tea.

24 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

“While perfect for any spring mani/pedi, the Regency Bloom collection is ideal for alternative French, floral and bridal nails. It’s also great for creating milk bath and layered looks, especially with the floral FoilX foils which offer an easy, speedy way to create eye-catching floral nail styles.”

COVERSTORY

Team work makes the dream work

As well as making campaigns fun and involving the creative team and brand ambassadors in all parts of the process, The GelBottle Inc also focuses on putting its customers at the forefront of its collections and in everyday work. “Supporting creativity within such a wonderful industry is so important to us and so is launching campaigns,” the team enthuses. “Community comes first and has been a huge part of the company ethos since day one. We are incredibly aware that none of this would exist without our customers, so whenever we can provide support, we believe it’s our duty to do so. “We think it is really important to have a personable relationship with everyone who shops TGB. We are always at the end of a phone or an email for a real conversation.”

“Our community and the creativity we celebrate is the best thing about TGB. We are so lucky to be part of such a powerful group of nail techs around the world and our customers inspire us daily. It’s really special to create collections with them in mind, every step of the way.”

Concept to reality “The ideas for colour collection campaigns come about after many meetings amongst the TGB creatives,” the team reveals. “We consider so many concepts and trend predictions before we settle on one, so our campaigns are focused on showcasing that! “They’ve got to be visually amazing, but ultimately, something our clients will love that is ahead of the trends for the season. “TGB focuses on setting trends, and we make our campaigns fun because we’re a fashion-led, trend-creating nail brand and we like to break the mould. Just as fashion designers are super creative with their seasonal collections, we’re inspired by entire concepts when creating our seasonal shades and it is so important to be able to share our visions with our community.”

The Regency Bloom collection is available via www.thegelbottle.com /thegelbottleinc @the_gelbottle_inc SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 25

HEALTHMATTERS

Consult, identify

& prevent

Allergy UK’s Allergy Awareness Week runs 25 April to 2 May.

Expand your knowledge on allergies & measures you can take to help prevent them in the nail space CHLOE RANDALL REPORTS According to the British Association of Dermatologists, 2.4% of people tested at 13 dermatology units had an allergy to at least one type of acrylate chemical, a key ingredient in acrylic, gel and gel polish. Widespread media hysteria has contributed to anxiety amongst clients in regard to enhancement services, and advice from misinformed sources can contribute to improper practice. By expanding your knowledge in this area, you can put your client at ease and make the appropriate decisions at the nail desk. Scratch puts a focus on the issue; from the consultation to identifying, responding and preventing.

28 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Signs of a reaction:

• Redness • Swelling • Small itchy blisters around the cuticle and fingertips • Bumpy or itchy skin • Dry, flaky skin • Tight, shiny look to the skin • Onycholysis (nails lifting from the nail bed)

“Communication is key when it comes to discussing allergies and your client will respect you more for your honesty and expertise. Remember we cannot diagnose, but we can recognise and refer clients for help.” Emma Prescott, Georgie Smedley Group educator

HEALTHMATTERS Consultation

The importance of the cure

Before treating any client for a nail service, it is imperative that a consultation is carried out to gather information about the client’s history and any past or present medical problems. Techs share tips on what must be included in the consultation to help with allergy awareness… Doug Schoon

“Client consultation forms should have a minimum of the question, ‘Have you have had a reaction to any products?’” advises Claire Blincoe, Georgie Smedley Group educator. “It’s also advisable to ask if a Claire Blincoe client has ever had a reaction to acrylates as they are used in a number of different applications, including dentistry.”

Tabby Casto

“Not only should you have your client’s allergies written on a formal consultation form, but you should also be having a conversation with your clients,” comments Tabby Casto, Louella Belle brand ambassador.

“Ask them directly if they’ve had any allergies in the past or issues with products, resulting in problems. Some clients are not always informed and don’t always understand the risk that comes with improper use of the chemicals we work with. Be sure to inform clients and help to educate them so they are aware. Be direct with clients when asking for this information as it is very important. Allergies do not go away, but only get worse over time.”

Extraction Unit £POA

“In the case of two-part L&P systems, undercured nail coatings contain www.vodex.co.uk excessive amounts of monomers. Their fresh dust and filings are also rich in monomers. Prolonged or repeated contact to monomer-rich dust and filings may lead to skin overexposure – which is a leading cause of skin allergy to nail enhancements. “When prolonged and/or repeated skin contact is avoided, allergic reactions become highly unlikely. This explains why it is important to keep arms from laying on dust, filings, or from repeatedly contacting the backs of the hands, arms, neck, etc. When properly cured, these nail coatings will not contain excessive amounts of monomer and are unlikely to cause adverse skin reactions.” Invest in an extraction system designed to capture dust on, and around, your work area.

What should you do if a client has a reaction? Remove “If a client reacts to a product you have applied, you should ask the client to return to the salon so you can remove the product as soon as possible,” comments Claire.

Refer “Ask them to see a pharmacist or their doctor if the reaction doesn’t go once the product is removed, and advise your client to go to the doctor or a dermatologist for an allergy test to find out which ingredients they are allergic to,” adds Claire. “Free testing is not available on the NHS in all areas and the client may be asked to pay privately for the testing. The nail technician should not try other brand’s products to find a solution as this could make the problem worse.”

Remain calm “Remain calm if a client comes into the salon after having a reaction. If there is no previous knowledge to the client then this was unavoidable. You do not want to scare them but you must also deal with the issue,” advises Emma Prescott, Georgie Smedley Group educator.

Louella Belle Client Consultation Form (Hands) Full Name Date (day/month/year) Over 16 years of age Mobile Email Nail Analysis (any notable conditions; strong, weak, brittle, peeling, bruising, splitting, bitten ridged, nail separation etc.)

Left hand: Thumb – Index – Middle – Ring – Little Right hand: Thumb – Index – Middle – Ring – Little -

Natural nail Shape

Skin Health Analysis (any notable conditions; dry, peeling, bruising, deep cracks, etc.)

Square Round Squoval Ski jump Wide Other……………………………………..

Cuticle health (i.e., healthy, split, overgrown, hang nails (pterygium) other Contra-indications (Requiring medical referral or restricting service) i.e., Bacterial, fungal, viral conditions, severe skin disorders, cuts/abrasions, undiagnosed swellings, recent factures. Any known allergies or sensitivities, if yes, please detail Current medication – as applicable to service. Any known medical conditions such as diabetes, if yes, please give detail Client signature Date/month/year

An example of a consultation form …………………………………………………………………. courtesy of Louella Belle, ……/……/………………… www.louellabelle.co.uk

Keeping clients happy What about options for clients and techs that have developed an allergy, but still want gorgeous nails? “You’re going to need to work with products without acrylates and find a product that does not contain the allergens causing the issue,” comments Tracy Anne Shelverton in a blog for Nail Knowledge. “Nail polish is a great option in combination with some nail art.”

“Undercured nail coatings are likely to cause adverse skin reactions for clients and nail professionals,” comments leading nail scientist, Doug Schoon. “I believe undercuring is one of the leading causes of skin irritation and allergies to nail products in general, and this includes UV-cured nail coatings. This is because undercured enhancements contain excessive amounts of uncured ingredients. Vodex SalonAir 1001

Emma Prescott

Prevention methods Application

“You must consider your application methods and ensure you are not mixing products/lamps supplied by multiple brands together,” adds Emma. “Nail systems are designed to work together by the company that manufactures them, as mixing chemicals can lead to incorrect curing. Even when the nail looks and feels fully cured on the surface, it doesn’t mean that it has cured all the way through to the bottom layer that is now in close contact with your client’s nail plate and skin. Uncured product is a key reason for overexposure and allergic reactions.”

Refuse “If in doubt, do not work on the client’s nails if they are not healthy, or present any nail lifting away from the nail bed (Onycholysis),” comments Tabby. “Nail lengths can be cut short and advise for cuticle oil to be applied regularly. Refer to a GP or a dermatologist to run an allergy test if you/they suspect something is creating a reaction. Do not apply gel or product on clients with suspect allergies.” In Louella Belle’s webinar, Allergies & How They Happen with Marian Newman, it was suggested that the following should be considered to prevent allergies: • Products should be SDS (Safety Data Sheet) certified. • Work cleanly. • Ask the client to wash their hands before cuticle oil and Marian Newman hand cream. • It is recommended that you wear gloves. • Don’t let the product touch skin. If it does, remove with a brush and IPA.

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 29

p o o c s

SCRATCHSOCIAL

THE SCRATCH

Top (L-R): Helena Biggs, Chloe Randall, Emma Hobday Bottom (L-R): Jess Wilkie, Callie Illey, Rebecca Hitchon

The Scratch team offers an insight into its antics & unveils events & products from the nail & beauty realms

out Out and ab

In the

MAIL... Check out the nail & beauty goodies in Scratch’s postbag this month…

The team at Pure Nails gifted us its Halo Gel Polish Chocolate Box collection, featuring three on-trend tones of chocolate brown. With Temptation, Decadence and Indulgence in each box, what’s not to love? Available via www.purenails.co

Louella Belle marked the addition of Evolve Organic Beauty skincare products to its portfolio by sending its facial cream, hyaluronic serum and a gentle cleansing melt to try. Ideal salon and retail-friendly products, get your hands on the range via www.louellabelle.co.uk

We received Artistic Nail Design’s Made to be Mystical collection, which has nail colour needs covered for spring. Its six creamy and shimmery hues are available via www.louellabelle.co.uk

What we’re wearing...

Chloe shows off OPI’s hero shade ‘Achievement Unlocked’ from the spring OPI x Xbox collection, a fitting nod to Pantone’s Colour of the Year..

Art editor, Jess, paid a visit to Hazel Martin of @nailcreationsbyhazel, choosing an oh-so-chic hue by The GelBottle Inc.

Tune in!

Chantelle Vermont of Clawgasmic interviewed managing editor, Helena Biggs, for her podcast to learn more about her career journey, key dates to note, and the Scratch Stars Awards 2022. L isten at www.clawgasmic.com/podcast 30 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

News and featur es writer, Rebecc a, headed backstage with the nail team at Edwa rd Crutchley’s Lond on Fashion Week autumn/ winter 2022 show . Hosted at Barge house on London’s South bank, the team was led by Marie-Louise Coster and creat ed three dynamic looks us ing Light Eleganc e products.

hloe to the OPI invited C of its SS22 launch party llection in nail colour co with Xbox at n tio collabora on. Chloe Carousel, Lond ox themed enjoyed an Xb olor manicure C el G a mocktail, ay with the and got to pl ed controllers colour match nsole. on the Xbox co Chloe also got to join the manicure team backstage at Ozwald Boat eng’s London Fashion Week autumn/winter 20 22 show at The Savo y Hotel. With 100 models and 10 nail techs, the sh ow was sponsored by Lo uella Belle an d models wore bold, brigh t Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer shades . The Scratch and Olympia Beauty teams headed to Lingf ield Park Raceco urse for a belated Ch ristmas celebra tion. With a tasty buffe t, plenty of drink s and a fun minibu s ride, it was a gr eat day out had by all!

Chloe joined the CND PLEXIGEL™ Tour wh en it stopped off in Brighton on 21 March. The hands-on, pr actical education even t welcomed nail professiona ls looking to discover mor e about the system, which supports transformative na il styles.

HM-15412

COLOR COUTURE LONG WEAR

AVAILABLE IN: GEL, LACQUER & DIP OR BRUSH

The Creative Beauty Group

Tel: 01202 876734

55b Cobham Road

www.thecreativebeautygroup.co.uk

Ferndown Industrial Estate

www.creativebeautyonline.co.uk

Dorset

thecreativebeautygroup

SCAN HERE to learn about NEW and exciting products!

Egg-ceptional SEASONALNAILSTYLE

Easter art Scratch serves up some cracking nail inspo for Easter; from chocolatethemed designs to bunnies, chicks & springtime fancies BY EMMA HOBDAY Salon System Gellux Gel Polish in Free Spirit £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

Easter brings a sense of enjoyment and anticipation. Warmer days are in sight, spring shades are in abundance and the promise of summer is on the horizon. It’s time to turn to your nail art kit and indulge clients in chic colourful tips, delicate floral nail art and pretty pastel gradients. Whatever your clients ask for this Easter, we’ve got you covered with plenty of #nailspo, along with product picks and advice to ensure you charge appropriately for your nail art.

We’re buzzing about this nail style by Light Elegance educator, Amanda Brown, using zesty yellow and tropical turquoise.

CND Vinylux™ in Oceanside £4.95 + VAT/RRP £11.95 www.sweetsquared.com

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Barbie & Californian £14.50 + VAT each www.thegelbottle.com

Sadie Jordan, The GelBottle Inc nail expert, creates a brightly coloured Easter egg-style design, complete with a gold glitter outline.

Morgan Taylor Nail Lacquer in Pick Me Please £4.95 + VAT/RRP £9.95 www.louellabelle.co.uk

Nailchemy Gel Polish in Groovy £11.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

Toni Lambert, Nailchemy brand ambassador, showcases a groovy nail design in pastel shades that are perfect for spring. 32 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Glitterbels Hema-free Gel Polish in Pink Popsicle £7.99 + VAT www.glitterbels.com

NexGen Nails Dip Powder in S31 Iowa £23 inc VAT www.gopretty.co.uk

Award-winning nail artist and educator, Anita Podoba, shares fun Easter themed characters on nails using gel polish shades and plasticine gel.

Mii Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Just A Smile £6.75 + VAT/RRP £13.50 www.gerrardinternational.com

SEASONALNAILSTYLE NSI Perfectly Pretty Rose Gold Glitter in Maple Leaf £7.95 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

iZ Beauty of London GEL&GO in Freya £13.50 + VAT www.izabellehammon.com

OPI GelColor in Gelato On My Mind & Strawberry Margarita £18.70 + VAT each www.trade.opiuk.com

We love this super sweet pink and yellow speckled egg design by Gellux expert, Jaz Moger of @paintbyjaz.

Georgie Smedley Group educator, Amy Martin, nails the Easter rabbit look with this hand painted bunny, featuring a cute rose headband.

Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in Merci Bouquet £16.99 + VAT www.gsgroupuk.com

How cute are these animal themed nails? “This set would take me almost two hours on natural nails, and I would charge around £45,” says OPI nail boss, Dani Bailey. She used OPI GelColor shades: Alpine Snow, Bee-hind The Scenes, Gelato On My Mind, Suzi Calls The Paparazzi, Suzi Talks With Her Hands, Lady In Black, Never A Dulles Moment, Strawberry Margarita, Espresso Your Inner Self and Rated Pea-G to create this look.

Glitterbels Core Powder in Peacherbel £11.88 + VAT www.glitterbels.com

Talented tech, Agnieszka Klimas, serves a stunning gradient look in shades Decadence, Indulgence & Temptation from the Halo Gel Polish Chocolate Box Halo Gel Polish Chocolate Collection. Box Collection £15.50 + VAT www.purenails.co INK London iLac in i-74 £8.95 inc VAT www.inknails.com

Nailchemy Wicked Matte Prophecy Gel Polish (pictured over Nailchemy’s Carnation Gel Polish shade) £10.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

Lecenté Chrome Powder in Two of a Kind £14.99 + VAT www.lecente.com / www.ellisons.co.uk / www.sweetsquared.com

INK London brand representative, Lisa Sheehan, allowed two hours for this fun and bright Easter creation and charged £34. iLac Gel Polish in shades i-27, i-31, i-74 and i-82 were used, along with INK’s No-Wipe Neon Gel Paints in Hot Pink, Blue and Purple.

>> SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 33

SEASONALNAILSTYLE

What’s your favourite Easter egg? Georgina Duffy, Georgie Smedley Group ambassador, showcases chocolate delights across nails and advises putting aside an extra hour to an hour and a half to create the look. She used Gelish shades including Ready To Work, Laying Low and A Tribe Called Cool.

CND Shellac™ in Mind Over Matcha £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Speckled egg styling on pretty petals is perfect for spring. Design by @naileditbeauty.

Salon System Gellux Gel Polish in Glorious & Free £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide. Artistic Colour Revolution in Beautiful Mirage £5.95 + VAT www.louellabelle.co.uk

Glitterbels ambassador, Nara Kay, creates a pastel reverse ombré design, fitting for the spring season.

Glitterbels Unbelievabel Gel in Luscious Lilac £9.95 + VAT www.glitterbels.com

Lucy Allen of Supernatural Nails, an INK brand representative, says that it took her two hours and 15 minutes to create this bold and beautiful daffodil design, including removal of the previous colour. She charged £50.

Light Elegance brand ambassador, Gabi Williams, pairs cool greige with white and gold for a sophisticated look.

Halo Gel Polish in Dreamer £5.49 + VAT www.purenails.co

Halo Create FIMO Butterflies £2.69 + VAT www.purenails.co

ProGenX Premium Dip Powder in X44 £23 inc VAT www.gopretty.co.uk

34 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Halo VIP, Hari Hatfield, created this joyous spring floral design in 30 minutes. She recommends charging £25 to £30. Shake up the classic daisy design and incorporate some colour, as shown by Georgia Hart, Louella Belle brand ambassador.

Natalie Farrow of Golden Triangle Nails shows her artistic skills with this fun and colourful Mini Eggs-inspired design, complete with gold leaf.

SEASONALNAILSTYLE This egg-cellent Easter themed design ‘ by Oliwia Szymanska, Indigo Nails educactor, features pretty pastels and textures.

“This is one of my favourite spring styles, with the light catching the chrome background and a one stroke technique floral design. It’s perfect on one or two nails per hand, or across the full set for a wow factor,” says beauty coach and beauty therapist, Zaara King.

INK London Pink Pearl Cover Flubber £13.33 + VAT www.inknails.com

Light Elegance educator, Ashley Biasella, serves up a pretty pastel floral design that’s perfect for Easter Sunday lunch, using Light Elegance Color Gel shades.

Artistic Colour Gloss in Goddess Of Light £12.95 + VAT www.louellabelle.co.uk Light Elegance Color Gel in I’ll Pose For Leo & Stroke of Genius £18.95 + VAT each www.sweetsquared.com Holly Morris-Last, INK London brand representative, gives a subtle nod to Easter bunnies with this sparkling design. Holly used Cover Flubber as a base with iLac Gel Polish shades and the Rock Light topcoat.

Nailchemy Gel Polish in Adore £11.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

Gellux expert, Julie-Anne Larivière of Sketched by J-A Nails, puts her eggs in five baskets in this pretty, seasonal nail style. Bright pops of colour make for a truly egg-cellent Easter mani by Nailchemy brand ambassador, Helen Clayton.

Gelish Art Form Gel Essentials in White £9.99 + VAT www.gsgroupuk.com

Chalky pastels and pretty butterflies epitomise spring nail styling in this enhanced set by @sweeties_.nails.

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Turner’s Sunset & Wisteria £14.50 + VAT each www.thegelbottle.com

Lisa Lilley, Georgie Smedley Group ambassador, captures sunny spring days with delightful daffodils and a sprinkling of sparkle. Georgie Smedley Group ambassador, Jessica Prout, took six hours to hand-paint this stunning baby animal themed nail design, using Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish and Gelish Art Form Gel.

TOP TIP

“My hourly rate for this design is £40. I would split that into 15-minute segments and charge the amount of time taken then add on top the price of their service for gel polish or nail enhancement,” says Jessica. “If a client wanted intricate art like this, I would recommend painting on soft-gel tips and retailing with sticky pads so they can wear them again – make sure to work out the price that the tips cost you and add that on too!” SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 35

Meet the collection that’s the talk of the town this Spring… The Duchess of TGB cordially invites you to Regency Bloom: the 10 shade Spring collection inspired by the romance and sophistication of the Regency era.

Vanity

This collection will have you lusting after all 10 dreamy gel polishes, available in both full-size and mini versions. Encased in a decadent limited blue satin pouch when you buy the full-size offering.

Curated by our TGB BAs and Educators:

Ball Gown

“Ball gown—the spring shade we’ve all been longing for. The prettiest pastel blue that really does compliment every skin tone” @charsgelnails_

In Bloom

Ball Gown

Pavilion Garden “Our “Our clients clients are are obsessed obsessed with with Pavilion Pavilion Garden, Garden, green green manicures manicures are are going going to to be be SO SO popular popular this this Spring/Summer” Spring/Summer” @hardasnails_studio @hardasnails_studio Love LoveLetter Letter

Jane’sJewels Jewelswith with Jane’s Matte MatteTop TopCoat Coat Pavilion PavilionGarden Garden

Jane’s Jewels

“This “This isis the the most most perfect perfect spring spring collection! collection! There There isis aa colour colour to to please please everyoneeveryonewhether whether you you love love aa sheer sheer mani, mani, pastels pastels or or bold bold shades. shades. Our Our favourites favourites so so far far have have been been Jane’s Jane’s Jewels Jewels and and In In Bloom” Bloom” @meraki_nails_cardiff @meraki_nails_cardiff

Wisteria Wisteria

Wisteria

“Wisteria “Wisteria isis aa chic chic and and shimmery shimmery lilac lilac shade shade that that will will look look magical magical as as aa French French tip tip or or as as aa full full colour colour for for sunny sunny summer summer days!” days!” @thehotblend @thehotblend

Discover Discover all all 10 10 colours colours on: on:

TTHHEEG GEELLBBO OTTTTLLEE..C CO OM M

Mini Minicollection collection

Turner’s Turner’sSunset Sunset

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

Deputy chair & director of information – Sue Davies

Chair – Marian Newman BEM

Director of education – Donna Clayton

Director of finance & legal affairs – Denise Spragg

THE FORCE

OF THE FEDS DENISE SPRAGG demystifies the data collection process for clients, including what information you can hold & how POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT GDPR

any nail techs have taken the plunge into selfemployment post-Covid, either working for themselves at home or opening a salon on the high street. With this in mind, I thought it would be useful to consider an important aspect in maintaining consumer confidence – GDPR, and how it needs to be navigated. GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, needs to be understood so you have the confidence to put together a clear and legal data protection policy. To begin, you have to identify which of the six lawful bases for holding information your business comes under, as below. Most nail techs will fall under the ‘consent’ category: (a) Consent: the individual has given their clear consent to you. (b) Contract: the processing is necessary for a contract you have with them. (c) Legal obligation: the processing is necessary for you to comply with the law. (d) Vital interests: the processing is necessary to protect someone’s life. (e) Public task: the processing is necessary for you to perform a task in the public interest. (f) Legitimate interests: the processing is necessary for your legitimate interests.

for telemarketing, and members’ enrolment details. • Do you know why you collect and hold personal data? • Have you made a record of the personal data you hold, what you do with it and why you hold it? Why you hold personal data needs to fit into one of the six lawful bases for processing. Check that your records include the following information: • The type of data you have, such as names and email addresses. • How you got the data, such as on paper forms or through your website. • Why you have the data. • How long you’ve had the data or will keep it. • If you share the data. • If the data is ‘special category data’ or sensitive data, such as medical information. Do you tell people how you use their personal data, if you share it or what you plan to do with it? This can be via leaflets or posters, or online through a privacy notice or statement. Consider whether your privacy notice or statement includes the below information: • The name of your business and the person responsible for data protection. • Why you hold the personal data (your lawful basis) and what you do with it. • Where you got the data from. • Who you share the data with and how you do this, including any sharing outside the UK. • How long you keep the data for. • How people can request access to, or correction or deletion of, their data. • How to complain to the ICO. • Whether you make automated decisions or do profiling based on the data you hold.

“GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, needs to be understood so you Once you have decided this, you simply work down the checklist. It looks daunting, have the confidence but the questions are easy to answer: • Have you thought about what to put together a information comes into, through and clear and legal out of your business? • Does this information include personal data protection data about your customers? This could policy.” include names and addresses of people you deliver goods to, contacts you use 38 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

The next step is to ask the following questions about the data that you collect from clients: • Do you only collect the personal data you need to work with and use? • Do you make sure people know the difference between information they need to provide and information that is optional? • Have you decided and documented how long you will hold the personal data you collect? • Do you refresh or destroy personal data after specified periods of time? • Do you securely delete or destroy personal data as soon as you no longer need it? • Do you regularly check that the personal data you hold is accurate and up to date? • Do you keep personal data secure in the office, for example by using lockable filing cabinets and locking or logging off computers when away from your desk? • Do you take steps to keep personal data secure before you take it out and about or send it somewhere else? For example, do you only take with you the data you need or send it in advance by secure methods? • Do you keep paper documents secure, say by using lockable storage and disposing of paper records securely? • Do you keep electronic data secure, for example by encrypting mobile devices, using passwords and backing up data? • Do you know about the rights individuals have under the law?

In summary, these are as follows: The right to be informed – being told what data you hold about them and what you do with it. The right of access – being able to request a copy of their data you hold. The right to rectification – being able to have inaccurate data corrected. The right to erasure – being able to ask you to delete or destroy their data. The right to restrict processing – being able to limit the amount or type of data used. The right to data portability – requesting to move their data electronically to another business. The right to object – being able to request you stop using their data.

“Once you have all this information, you need to tell your clients about it. The easiest way to do this is by making a privacy notice and displaying it on your website.”

www.the-fnp.com

/TheFNPUK

Do you have plans in place so you can deal with any requests? Do you know that a request can be made in writing or verbally, in person or on the phone? Finally, once you have all this information, you need to tell your clients about it. The easiest way to do this is by making a privacy notice and displaying it on your website, if you have one, or even at your premises. The Information Commissioner’s Office has a template available online and we would recommend using this, as it is comprehensive, straight from the organisation that regulates data and is also free! We hope this has helped take the fear out of GDPR. Going through the checklists will help you to identify gaps in your business and how to fill them. Good luck! @the_fnp_

@the_fnp_

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 39

BRIDALNAILS

BRIDE • •

Vibes

Wedding W edding season is in full swing, so browse through Scratch’s selection of nuptial nail styles to perfectly complement your bridal client’s dress

While the wedding industry revolves around love, the past two years have seen it dominated by heartbreak. But after countless cancellations and delays due to the pandemic, wedding season is underway – and appointment books are filling up fast. The dress may be what brides-to-be ponder over most, but what is a bridal look without the perfect nail style to match? After all, countless photos will be taken of the ring – so the hands and nails will be getting plenty of attention. “Ask a lot of questions during the consultation,” advises Sophie Elizondo-Darwin, INK London educator. “Ask the bride if she is seeking a natural look, what her colour scheme is for Sophie Elizondo-Darwin the big day and which nail style and products she usually chooses, and find out what her dress is like. It is also crucial to get a list of dates, such as the hen party, wedding and honeymoon, so you know how long the nails are required to be worn, or for how long they will be worn before the wedding. This allows you to advise on appropriate aftercare products.”

NSI Polish Pro Gel Colour in Lace Corset £10 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

OPI Infinite Shine in Alpine Snow £5.65 + VAT/RRP £14.30 www.trade.opiuk.com

Pure Nails educator, Nicole Dowling, opted for beautiful lace detailing on this bride’s nail enhancements to match her dress.

BY REBECCA HITCHON

Classic

Salon System Gellux Builder Gel in Light Natural £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

A thorough consultation also allows you to determine which service plans or tailored packages are best to achieve the bride’s nail goal, explains Laura Chree, Louella Belle brand ambassador. “Consider whether the client needs Laura Chree to go to natural nail rehab and book regular manicures, or would suit enhancements if she is struggling to grow her nails,” she comments. Take a look at nail styles and products to suit six bridal styles, with top tips for nailing the looks and enhancing your bridal services along the way...

42 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Glossify brand ambassador, Abi Ellwood, creates this classic look using Glossify Naturabuild Gel in Nude £14.99 inc VAT www.glossify.co.uk

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Daisy £14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Light Elegance Smile Line Brush £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Magpie Beauty educator, Sarah Mills, opts for a classic French manicure style for her client, created using products available via www.magpiebeauty.co.uk

BRIDALNAILS

Jessica Prout

“I was a bride six years ago and know that trends change quickly. However, a French or neutral nail style stands the test of time,” says Jessica Prout, Georgie Smedley Group ambassador. “They are classic and timeless looks that allow the focus to stay on the wedding ring in photos.”

Entity Color Couture Soak Off Gel Polish in Sheer Perfection £10.95 + VAT www.thecreativebeautygroup.co.uk

Salon System nail expert, Jaz Moger, agrees. “The classic French mani isn’t going anywhere and the micro-French on short natural nails is always a hit with brides. Builder gel bases in sheer pinks or nudes with a skinny white or ivory tip and perfect cuticle prep is a must-have for lots of brides who require long wear,” she comments. Jaz Moger

For her wedding to Prince Harry, Meghan Markle chose west London salon, DryBy London, to create her elegant mani. Meghan opted for one layer of warm nude hue CND™ Shellac™ in Unmasked, followed by two layers of light pink shade CND™ CND™ Shellac™ in Shellac™ in Negligee.

Negligee £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Artistic Nail Design Pink Concealer Correction Gel £17.95 + VAT www.louellabelle.co.uk

Instagram.com/frenchiesnailsdurhamwest

Instagram.com/drybylondon

A regal affair

Lola Chandler at PRIVE Salon creates this timeless square-shaped French mani using Entity products, available via www.thecreativebeautygroup.co.uk

@frenchiesnailsdurhamwest showcases a stunning French pedi, glammed up with crystal additions on the big toes.

Halo Gel Polish in First Love £5.49 + VAT www.purenails.co

Something blue

Traditional with a twist

“I’ve had a few brides following the famous rhyme ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, a sixpence in your shoe’,” reveals Jessica Prout. “Pedicures have been a great way to add that something blue, which is also a great shade for the honeymoon.”

Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System expert, opts for an abstract bridal look, merging the traditional French with glitter tips and line work. Glitter, swirls and silver trinkets adorn this dazzling design by Nailchemy educator, Helen Clayton, using a base of Bridal Fiber Gel £13.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

Jessica Custom Colour in Bare It All £5.50 + VAT/RRP £11 www.gerrardinternational.com

The GelBottle Inc brand ambassador, Alexandra Teleki, adds gold details to the French smile line using FoilX Gold Foil £5.95 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Georgie Smedley Group ambassador, Georgina Duffy, jazzes up the traditional French with triangular tips, glitter tip outlines and marble nail art.

Lecenté Blue Diamond Stardust Glitter £6.95 + VAT www.lecente.com www.sweetsquared.com www.ellisons.co.uk

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Porcelain £14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

In need of a classic bridal colour collection?

Created by the team at Georgie Smedley Group, the Bridal Edit is made up of six preexisting Gelish shades that are particularly fitting for wedding season – Barely Buff, Tell Her She’s Stellar, Sheer and Silk, June Bride, Call My Blush and Some Girls Prefer Pearls.

Gelish Bridal Edit £60 + VAT www.gsgroupuk.com

Turn to page 86 for a ‘something blue’ inspired step-by-step by creative nail expert at The GelBottle Inc, Sadie Jordan.

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 43

Lovely in lace A wedding dress staple, lace is one of the most sought-after dress details – but the lace themes don’t have to stop there! With a range of handy products to create lace-inspired nail designs, the possibilities are endless for brides wanting to recreate the delicate detailing on their dress.

NSI Tech Gel Colour in White Lace 10.50 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

Practice makes perfect

Artistic Colour Gloss in Bride £12.95 + VAT www.louellabelle.co.uk @kalliopeveniou_beautyhall embraces lace on the toes of this bridal client to create a sophisticated and standout bridal pedi.

“If your client is having a hen party and doesn’t have her nails done regularly, this creates the perfect opportunity to practice the wedding set,” comments Sophie Elizondo-Darwin.

Ins

Halo Create White Lace Foil £4.69 + VAT www.purenails.co

tag

ram

.com/paiwalov

Nailchemy Lace Foils (10 pack) £5.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

This spellbinding lace design by @paiwaloves features intricate white detailing and gold crystals over a sheer, natural base.

Entity Color Couture Soak Off Gel Polish in Spotlight £10.95 + VAT www.thecreativebeautygroup.co.uk Glitterbels 5pc Gel Art Brush Set £26.99 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

:YOURS Loves Fee Vintage Lace Stamping Plate £4.25 + VAT & Stamping Polish in White Light £4.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish shades in Wisteria, Love Letter & Ball Gown £14.50 + VAT each www.thegelbottle.com

TOP TIP

“For lace nail designs, make sure you use good detail brushes to get a precise fine line and gel paints with a highly pigmented colour,” recommends Bekki Woolnough, Georgie Smedley Group ambassador. Bekki Woolnough

Lace Bridal Maxi Dress in Ivory, Monsoon

Bekki creates this oh-so pretty lace look using Gelish Art Form Gel in White £9.99 + VAT www.gsgroupuk.com

44 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

aders, Dearest re l season is upon socia nown, the uzz with Bridger�on k e b it t e L world is ab tflix show. us and the eason t�o of the Ne over the s mania for al client is swooning re the r b If your id a and wants to capt� ing day, Regency er e ‘Ton on her wedd spring/ f th c’s at�ention o ith The GelBot�le In m. Find w r lo e B h ncy o delight tion, Rege on on page 22. c e ll o c r e summ ollecti bout the c out more a

Instagram.com/kalliopeveniou_beautyhall

BRIDALNAILS

Ombre

Building bridal packages Bridal and bridal party packages introduce new and existing clients to more of your treatments, in turn increasing your profit margins.

Carla Mitchell

“You can add services like waxing, tinting or lashes to your bridal packages, or tailor them to a bridal party so that the bridesmaids and mothers of the bride and groom can have their nails done,” explains Nailchemy brand ambassador, Carla Mitchell.

En Vogue Build In A Bottle Gel in Opaque £15.95 + VAT www.nailandbeautynetwork.com

We couldn’t not mention the baby boomer, aka the French ombré or fade – a fun but elegant take on the classic French mani that has become an iconic bridal style. For the bride with an ombré dress, what better way is there to achieve cohesion throughout the bridal look?

“A more unique upsell would be to offer the groomsmen manicures, as the groom’s hands usually feature in close-up wedding shots,” she continues. Jaz Moger agrees, adding: “There’s nothing worse than a close-up wedding ring shot of the groom’s overgrown cuticles!” “Customisable bridal packages are a good way to open up to the bridal market,” comments Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System nail expert. “Offer interchangeable options so the bride and her party don’t Julie-Anne Lariviè re feel pressured into booking in for services they may not need or want.”

Nailchemy Peach Ombré Pigment £2.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

OPI Nail Lacquer in Passion £5.65 + VAT/RRP £14.30 www.trade.opiuk.com

“Some of the services a bride will have booked in for will require a safe, professional removal, so why not offer a post-wedding appointment in your package?” notes Layla Tourh, founder of Beauty Layla Tourh Boss HQ, an online platform dedicated to supporting beauty bosses in the running of their business. “Maybe the client is undecided on whether they want to continue having lash extensions, for example, so this extra appointment is helpful and can encourage them to return as a regular client.” “I also think it’s a nice touch to offer your clients some bubbly in their treatment package, making the experience different to a normal nail appointment,” adds Giorgia Capella, The GelBottle Inc educator and brand Giorgia Capella ambassador. “Posting images of your bridal set-up, for example photos of your pedi station with a glass of Champagne, will encourage new customers who want a full bridal experience!”

For this cool-toned almond-shaped set, Light Elegance brand ambassador, Gabi Williams, used Light Elegance JimmyGel in Boomer White £19.45 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com Lecenté Ombré Powders in Pink & White £6.95 + VAT each www.lecente.com www.sweetsquared.com www.ellisons.co.uk

Nail artist, Alina Khavronina, creates a sparkling baby boomer using Magnetic Nail Design PowerGel Sparkling White £33.95 + VAT www.magneticnails.uk

Glossify brand ambassador, Abi Ellwood, opts for a barely-there French fade for this understated but stylish bridal look.

In sta

TOP TIP

gr am

.co m/jen nieatcatb f

“Ask brides if they can send professional shots taken on the wedding day to use Helen Clayton for your marketing, with permission from the photographer,” recommends Helen Clayton, Nailchemy brand ambassador.

BRIDALNAILS

Turn to page 47 to find out about bridal henna.

Georgie Smedley Group educator, Amy Martin, blends a warm pink hue into white to create a subtle but timeless ombré. Nailchemy’s Ombré Professional Nail Art Brush £12.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

>> SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 45

BRIDALNAILS

Market in the right places

1. Bridal shows. “These are a great way to explain to potential clients what you can do for them, so perhaps offer mini manicures or hand hydration treatments and show examples of your work in pictures and on nail pops,” recommends Laura Chree. 2. Wedding venues & shops. “Reach out to local wedding venues, such as hotels and bridal shops and ask to leave some of your business cards and price lists,” advises Amy Martin, Georgie Smedley Group educator. “This means you can Amy Martin be put on their recommended lists, allowing you to tap into the bridal market and gain clients,” adds Giorgia Capella.

3. Social media groups. “Gather your best bridal nail images in a gallery and use this to advertise your business on local bridal groups, offering a small discount to members if they book before a certain date,” suggests Julie-Anne Larivière.

4. Publications. “You could get in touch with bridal magazines to see if they will publish your work and help you reach a wider audience,” says Niamh Hartley, Halo VIP.

Sparkle & shine

Georgie Smedley Group ambassador, Georgina Duffy, covers the tips of these baby pink nails with silver glitter – a popular choice for brides looking to match their nails and jewellery!

Help cement your bridal client as the centre of attention on the big day by adding a dose of sparkle or shine to nails.

@katiealice_nail_design chooses full-on wedding glitz in this design using Lecenté’s Olympia Multi Glitz Glitter £3.99 + VAT www.lecente.com / www.sweetsquared.com www.ellisons.co.uk

OPI Nail Lacquer in Quest for Quartz £5.65 + VAT/RRP £14.30 www.trade.opiuk.com

Looking for a sparkly gold to match your client’s wedding ring? Check out Mii Cosmetics Colour Confidence Nail Polish in Champagne Celebration £6.75 + VAT/RRP £13.50 www.gerrardinternational.com

Niamh Hartley

Team up “You could collaborate with a local make-up artist and hairdresser to offer a package, which is a great incentive for bridal clients as it means that everything they need is booked under one bundle,” recommends Amy Martin.

Glitterbels Pre-mixed Glitter in Marry Me £9.95 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

Julie-Anne Larivière says that networking with other bridal services can be hugely beneficial. “If you build a good relationship with those businesses, they will likely recommend you to their customers and vice versa,” she says. This can also allow you to benefit from their services, as Carla Mitchell explains. “If you know any budding photographers or wedding photographers, offering to do a collaboration can provide you with great photos, for example student photographers might be happy to work with you for a small fee,” she comments.

Light Elegance ButterCream Colour Gel in Under The Veil £15.45 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

ProGenX Nails Dip Powder in PG44 £23 inc VAT www.gopretty.co.uk

Nailchemy Clear Opal Crystals (approx. 200) £4.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

“For anyone wanting to slightly break away from tradition, elegant rose or milky white quartz designs (either on their own or lined with gold or silver foil) are great complements to the wedding ring or colour scheme,” says Jaz Moger, who is behind this rose quartz-inspired look using Gellux products, available from wholesalers nationwide.

“With online collaboration tools, you can also massively increase your visibility,” adds Layla Tourh. “The new collaboration tool on Instagram allows you to have two authors for one piece of content, which means if you were to do this with a fellow wedding specialist, both accounts would get brides viewing the content and potentially following each account.” “Lots of brides want nails that can last the duration of the honeymoon, and a pedi with a sprinkle of sparkle is popular,” reveals Sophie Elizondo-Darwin, the tech behind this design.

WowBao Pro Acrylic Brushes from £29.95 inc VAT each www.wowbaonails.com This nail design, courtesy of WowBao Nails, uses traditional bridal colours, pairing milky white and clear enhancements with glitzy gold foil. 46 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

NSI Perfectly Pretty Acrylic Powder in Maple Leaf £7.95 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

Louella Belle brand ambassador, Georgia Hart, creates a mesmerising pearly and satin-look design using Artistic Nail Design Chrome Pen in Pink Opal £6.95 + VAT www.louellabelle.co.uk

~ ~

Sheer Alternative The GelBottle Inc brand ambassador, Alexandra Teleki, reveals that this heart flame design has been her most popular style among bridal clients.

For the minimalist-loving bride who seeks a subtle coating of colour, or an edgy bride who’s taking her inspiration from a dress that isn’t afraid to show a bit of skin, a sheer nail look is classy on its own or the perfect base for a pop of nail art.

BRIDALNAILS

Match the ﬁngers to the ﬂowers

This bohemian bride had a secret wedding, so hid ‘Mrs D’ on her middle fingers. By Hollystic Nails.

Nailchemy Fiber Gel in Glass £13.99 + VAT www.nailchemy.co.uk

Is your client lacking nailspo for their big day? Consider co-ordinating their bouquet or flower arrangements to their nail design for a unique look that they’ll treasure forever.

Holly Morris-Last of Hollystic Nails has worked with a bride who wanted her nails to match her bouquet for her autumnal wedding. “Her dress was elegant and understated so she wanted vivid nails to inject pops of personality into her nails,” comments Holly.

m//ii zz a ab be om ell co m ..c e am l l e h grra h am ag a mm stta mo IInns o

Mani match!

Check out this gorgeous diagonal red and black lace tip design by Nailchemy brand ambassador, Helen Clayton – the perfect complementary nail look for this alternative bridal dress.

kk nnuu

Izabelle Hammon Gel & Go Amour £13.50 + VAT www.izabellehammon.com

Nailchemy brand ambassador, Jodie Taylor, puts a standout 3D spin on a floral bridal nail design.

Jasmine Printed Maxi Dress in Red, Monsoon

Want to effortlessly create floral nails? Consider foils... Halo Create Vintage Floral Foil £4.69 + VAT www.purenails.co

Bridal henna Ins tag

ram

.com/the

efai ryn

ail m

@theefairynailmuva creates a simple and sweet bridal mani using candy pink shade OPI Infinite Shine Long-wear Lacquer in Bubble Bath £5.65 + VAT/RRP £14.30 www.trade.opiuk.com

Halo Gel Polish in Elise £5.49 + VAT www.purenails.co

Nicole Dowling

A collection to consider

“Pure Nails offers the La Parisienne collection from Halo, which is a sheer collection of polishes to suit all skin tones,” reveals Pure Nails educator, Nicole Dowling. “Elise on its own is a popular choice for a natural nail look in my salon.”

While henna is a tradition of Indian wedding celebrations, Pavan Ahluwalia-Dhanjal BEM has put the London henna bar she founded, Pavan Henna Bar, on the map by bringing henna into the mainstream, making it accessible for all and creating her own product range.

“Bridal henna kick-started my henna business,” she smiles. “I have been offering bridal henna as a service for 20 years now, and it has transcended into an essential beauty offering, which is ever evolving. Bridal henna symbolises health, wealth, luck, prosperity – all the good stuff!” Pavan Ahluwali-Dhanjal

Pavan is on a mission to educate beauty therapists about creating henna art. “My business offers training for therapists and an educator programme, where therapists can hold their own training classes. We ensure that you are educated in the background as well as the practical and theory of all things henna, which opens up a whole new world of service and revenue,” she reveals. Find out more here While important that bridal henna and nails complement each other for the most dynamic look, Pavan admits that any nail colour looks great with henna. “Brides tend to go for traditional red, but whether you go for a nude look so the henna stands out more or a bold colour to make a statement, either one would look great paired with a trending henna design,” she says. Complement bridal henna with Glitterbels Acrylic Powder in Wifey £8.95 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 47

The Gelish® and Morgan Taylor® Full Bloom Collection features a selection of shades that celebrate fresh floral hues. The collection offers a bouquet of eye-catching cremes plus a delicate glitter that may be worn on its own or as an overcoat.

BLOOM SERVICE

MODEL IS WEARING: PICK ME PLEASE!

BEST BUDS

I LILAC WHAT I’M SEEING

PLANT ONE ON ME

AVAILABLE AT

gsgroupuk.com Georgie Smedley Group Phone: 01708 465900 www.gsgroupuk.com | Email: info@gsgroupuk.com LONDON, HERTS & ESSEX 0800 014 8313 IRELAND 00353 1 4295122 SOUTH WEST UK 01300 348645

PICK ME PLEASE!

FEELING FLEUR-TY

INDUSTRYACHIEVEMENT

Thirty &

thriving

Happy anniversary NSI UK! Scratch reflects on three decades of exceptional product provision & training for pros, as well as the company’s proudest achievements & future plans EMMA HOBDAY REPORTS

n a competitive and bustling nail market, NSI UK has stood proudly for 30 years as a distributor of award-winning products and provider of exceptional training for nail enthusiasts. Steering its success is director and company founder, Jason Shaw, alongside fellow director, Marie Littlewood, and a dedicated, passionate team Directors Jason Shaw in Manchester. & Marie Littlewood

“My partner in the 1980s trained as a nail technician, and we opened a salon in Eccles,” reveals Jason. “We expanded and were soon running four salons across the city, sourcing our nail supplies from dental labs. The supply of L&P acrylic and UV gels specifically for the nail industry was pretty much non-existent in the UK, but following our expansion, we sought to improve the quality of products we were using on clients.” This quest led Jason to the USA in 1990, where a number of companies were manufacturing products designed for the nail market. “After visiting several companies, we met up with Fred Slack and his son, Rick Slack, founders of Nail Systems International (NSI),” Jason continues. “We immediately developed a good relationship with NSI; a family business founded in the 1950s that had moved from dental to nail product development.”

Director, Jason Shaw, with NSI president, Rick Slack

Fred Slack had accidentally invented an L&P nail system when working in dentistry in

50 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

the ‘60s, which started a long and fruitful career in the world of nails, and with it the beginning of NSI. However, the innovations didn’t stop there, as what followed included fibreglass-reinforced polymers, UV cured gels and air and heat-activated polish sealants. “NSI UK Ltd was set up in February 1992, initially to import NSI products for use in our own salons,” Jason reveals. “However, after further discussions with NSI USA, we decided to distribute the products throughout the UK.”

used at the time. What’s more, the training courses we offered grew in popularity, as nail enhancements were new and exciting.” As a result of this success, NSI UK moved to larger premises in Manchester to open an onsite cash and carry and develop an education programme, alongside the warehouse distribution facility and training school.

Growth & progress This exciting distribution journey began when the UK nail market was in its infancy, and NSI UK Ltd operated from a tiny room above one of the Manchester salon premises, with stock held in the cellar. “Nail salons were almost unheard of in the ‘90s,” smiles Jason. “Services took place largely in hairdressing salons and there was no internet, no nail or beauty trade magazines, and no trade exhibitions for nail brands. Trying to market and promote something that was so new was challenging, so we set up a training school. This created demand for NSI products from the students offering nail services after training with us.” Jason’s partner continued to focus on the salons while he took charge of product distribution, and trained with educator, Mandy Rainford-Jones, who taught him how to sculpt and create a perfect French. The dedicated director then hit the road, visiting towns and cities across the country to find out who was offering nail services. “I would try to get an appointment or offer to demonstrate the product on whoever was available. This was successful, as I was far better at doing nails than most of the people I met, and the pink & white acrylic was so superior to the dental acrylic being

Stepping stones In an industry that never stands still, NSI UK has continued to grow, develop and innovate to ensure that the needs of pros are always met. Its reputation for excellence has seen it survive a number of recessions and the pandemic, and the company’s offerings have been used by numerous nail competitors to help catapult them to success. “Social media has helped us to discover even more talented nail technicians who work with NSI products,” says Jason. “We have developed an advocate programme to reward and support such techs, who play a big part in our research and development of new products. These techs were all welcomed last year to NSI UK’s Manchester training school for an R&D day alongside Denise Wright, who offered feedback on new products.”

INDUSTRYACHIEVEMENT

EDUCATION

NSI UK offers a comprehensive training programme at its Manchester training school and through a network of approved NSI educators across the country. The courses range from foundation level for beginners, to advanced courses for existing technicians and conversion courses for those who want to keep their skills up to date. “From the offset, NSI has set high standards in education so educators have been on board since the beginning,” comments Nicola. “We believe that the most important part of a nail technician’s career is the education they receive when starting out, and the education they continue to receive as products and techniques change.”

NSI UK University 2019 educators, distributors & advocates

NSI UK is proud to work with educators who understand the importance of teaching all aspects of nail education, ensuring the students they teach go on to have long, successful careers.

Denise Wright

Scan here to learn more about the NSI Balance Hemafree Gel range And for the year ahead? “We have even more exciting plans, with the launch of the NSI Balance Hema-free Gel range and the release of our mobile app,” smiles Jason. The company’s marketing pro, Nicola Jackson, reveals that the app will offer inspiration and advice and will feature videos, step-by-steps and resources. “It will be a more convenient and quicker way to place orders, check stock and get information on all of our products,” she comments. “We’re also looking forward to hosting more events after the great response from the last NSI UK University.”

Denise has been with NSI UK since its formation in 1992 and scooped a Scratch Star for Services to the Nail Industry in 2019. “As an internationally recognised trainer, Denise is at the forefront of nail technology training in the UK, including helping to set National Standards,” Nicola reveals. “She provides a wide range of training skills and techniques to nail technicians all over the world.” Denise is a UK competition director and a qualified assessor and verifier who helps set and maintain NVQ standards for City & Guilds. High standards are guaranteed as Denise also promotes and helps set educational and and industry benchmarks for Habia, the government backed standards body.

Liz & Toni Klineberg Director and educator at NSI Scotland and The Scottish Beauty School, Toni, has joined the NSI UK team at various trade shows as an educator and product demonstrator, alongside her mum Liz, a director of NSI Scotland and The Scottish Beauty School. Together they are the NSI distributors for NSI Scotland.

If there’s a recipe for success in the nail industry, it’s NSI UK’s ethos: “We listen to the nail technician and find out what they want in a product,” reveals Jason. “We work with pros, offer great training and are constantly innovating and progressing to support the nail industry. Here’s to the next 30 years!”

Mandy Rainford-Jones Mandy has been part of the NSI UK education team since the company’s early days, working from the Manchester training school. She is joined by Dawn Harrison, and both Mandy and Dawn have their own nail and beauty businesses and a vast amount of industry knowledge to pass onto students.

The NSI UK Ltd team celebrating its 30th anniversary

The evolution of the NSI logo

/NSIUKLtd

@NSIUK

@NSIUK SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 51

CELEBRATING

30 YEARS OF NSI UK

PROUDLY SUPPLYING AND SUPPORTING UK NAIL PROFESSIONALS SINCE 1992 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR STORY AT:

www.nsinails.co.uk

SHARE YOUR CREATIONS #NSINAILS #NSIUK

@nsiukltd

RESEARCH

DEVELOPMENT

@nsiuk

INNOVATION

EDUCATION

HEMA-FREE ELITE GEL COMING SOON!

8 NEW SHADES!

SCAN ME TO FIND OUT MORE

Products researched, developed and manufactured by NSI in Pennsylvania USA.

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A SNEAK PEEK & TO JOIN THE MAILING LIST TO CLAIM YOUR FREE ELITE GEL SAMPLE!

www.nsinails.co.uk | freephone 0800 881 8469

HEALTHMATTERS

SAVE the

Strain Protect your eyes from strain when tekking with advice from fellow pros & handy products to note EMMA HOBDAY REPORTS

re you experiencing eye dryness, soreness or haziness? These are just a few of the symptoms of eye strain, which is an all-too-often occurrence after hours working at close proximity on the nails of clients.

Even without symptoms that directly affect the eye, other signs such as headaches, neck and back soreness and sensitivity to light can all mean that your eyes are under strain. So what can you do to maintain good eye health, when your job depends on healthy eyesight? The NHS recommends getting your eyes tested every two years, or more if advised by your optometrist or ophthalmologist, and to visit your GP if you’re concerned about any factor of your eyesight or any differences in your vision at any time. Bristol based nail tech, Sandie Bidwell of Maxi-Mum Nailz, noticed a change in her eyesight in September 2021. “I have always had 20/20 vision, but when I noticed this difference in my vision I started to think it was due to many hours of close-up work. On further inspection of photos of my clients’ nails, I noticed that I was not achieving the application Sandie Bidwell of the product as close to the cuticle as I would have liked. My regular clients are very polite so I had not received any adverse comments, but I realised after they had left.” Sandie visited her optician, who tweaked the magnification in her glasses to improve her eyesight for close-up work, which Sandie was relieved to find made a huge improvement. She also wanted to ensure she had an efficient lamp, so she purchased the IKEA Tertial lamp with an Energiser 54 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

E27 6500k 13.2 watt Daylight bulb, which she has since found to be extremely helpful in her work. “My advice to other techs who may be struggling with their eyesight is to visit the optician, discuss your issue fully and ask for their advice. Consider changing your optician if you don’t feel you are getting the support that you need. Also, the Daylight bulb has made a significant difference,” comments Sadie. Georgie Smedley Group educator, Amy Martin, says that long hours and detailed, intricate work can lead to eyesight problems later down the line. “To minimise the risk of this happening, I recommend that my students take adequate breaks in between appointments, work in the right lighting conditions and wear protective Amy Martin eye wear when working on the nails to protect them from things like filing dust,” advises Amy.

Jessica Prout

Jessica Prout, Georgie Smedley Group ambassador, agrees that protective eye shields are important for nail techs, but for another reason – blue light exposure. “Consider an LED lamp with an eye shield to protect yourself and clients from extra blue light exposure. Task lighting is essential for close up work; good light helps us to see more clearly and puts less strain on the eyes,” she says.

It’s recommended to wear glasses if you need them for close-up work, but the rules differ for contact lenses. “It’s not advisable to wear contact lenses due to the vapours and dust we work with, even if you have a good vapour extraction system,” says Claire Blincoe, Georgie Smedley Group educator. “Make sure you are Claire Blincoe making the most of all light available to you, like using a desk lamp as well as natural light and overhead light.”

HEALTHMATTERS

Halo Desk Lamp Pro £63.99 + VAT www.purenails.co

Halo Desk Lamp Lite £35.09 + VAT www.purenails.co

Nicole Dowling

Emma Prescott

Pure Nails educator, Nicole Dowling, recommends the Halo Desk Lamp Lite and the Halo Desk Lamp Pro as they have different light settings, so you can adjust to the level of brightness that is needed. “These lamps also provide the perfect lighting for nail photos and emit flicker-free light, preventing eye strain.” If your eyes are feeling dry, Georgie Smedley Group educator, Emma Prescott, recommends keeping eyes hydrated with eye drops or sprays. “I have noticed that close-up work really makes my eyes dry, along with using my extractor fan for long periods of time. Dry eyes feel irritated and mean my focus is not as clear.”

Emma also suffers with arthritis in her neck, meaning it is painful for her to bend down to see nails for long periods of time. “However, my daughter raised her hand to me during an appointment and it made a huge difference! She said it was just as comfortable for her, so give it a try if you are struggling. Her elbow was down on the table and hand up to my line of sight. I will consider a hand rest to see if this would support further.”

The Daylight Company Halo Go £64.99 + VAT www.daylightcompany.com

The Daylight Company Slimline 3 Table Lamp £129.99 + VAT www.daylightcompany.com

The Daylight Company agrees on the importance of correct lighting, as the company was founded in 1987 after the blue tinted Daylight bulb was rediscovered. “Poor lighting limits the amount of time a beauty professional can put into their projects, which will affect the level of client satisfaction,” says a spokesperson from the brand. “Good lighting has such a beneficial influence on the creativity of the individual. It gives real satisfaction to design products that meet their need,” adds Patrick Jacquelin, company founder.

Sophie Elizondo-Darwin, The Daylight Company Omega INK London educator, had 3.5 Magnifier £165 + VAT 20/20 vision when she began www.daylightcompany.com her career, but this hasn’t lasted. “I’ve been doing nails for 11 years The takeaway? Eyesight isn’t something that we always think about, now, and I’m so much wiser to the things and it’s easy to take it for granted. Make sure it’s something you Sophie Elizondo-Darwin I could have done differently, had I known,” look after throughout your career, but if you are suffering with she says. any eyesight issues, don’t delay – make an appointment with an optician, research desk lamps and remember to take breaks. “When doing nails for long periods of time, it’s so important to take regular breaks to focus on objects in the distance,” Sophie advises. “This helps to exercise the long-distance muscles in your eyes SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF EYE ISSUES which become weak over time, while the short distance muscles of As noted by Emma Prescott the eye become so strong with constant exercise - focusing on the • Dry eyes. small details and close up work.” • Blurred vision. • Sore neck (are you bending down closer to see the nail?). Sophie suggests consistency when wearing any glasses that are • Nails taking longer to do than usual. prescribed for close up work, adding that magnifying glasses or • Noticing that you ‘could have done better’ but unsure why, as lamps are fantastic to use for small intricate nail art. “This will help you are doing everything you usually do. to stop your eyes from straining over something they have already • Seeing photos of your work after the appointment and started to struggle with. Make sure your working area is well lit too thinking that they don’t look as good as how you thought you – desk lamps are a must for illuminating your workspace. Natural did them. light from a window is also beneficial, however be aware that direct sunlight will tamper with your nail products!” SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 55

Spring Farmer’s Market Spring 2022 ButterCreams Inspired by a plethora of colours and fresh offerings that local markets provide, the Farmers Market palette is perfectly on-trend for Spring 2022. These six NEW shades provide maximum colour impact in a one-coat application.

Cherry Picked

Farm Fresh

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT

Going Organic

Locally Grown

Meet at the Market

Veggies & Vines

Distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland with Love and Respect

Zippy E-File Speed Up Your Services A A cordless, cordless, rechargeable rechargeable manicure-pedicure manicure-pedicure e-file e-file that that incorporates incorporates the the latest latest technology, technology, in in aa convenient, convenient, portable portable and and lightweight lightweight size. size.

•• Digital Digital display display & & up up to to 20-hour 20-hour battery battery life life •• Extremely Extremely quiet quiet drill drill •• Convenient Convenient belt belt clip clip & & on-the-go on-the-go Carrier Carrier Case Case included included •• Ultra Ultra light light hand-piece hand-piece with with twist twist & & lock lock system system •• Forward Forward and and reverse reverse functions functions •• Designed Designed in in the the U.S.A U.S.A by by Light Light Elegance Elegance •• NEW NEW Z-Bits Z-Bits designed designed to to accommodate accommodate aa wide wide range range of of services services and and ideal ideal for for left-handed left-handed pros pros too! too!

sweetsquared.com sweetsquared.com SCAN SCAN THE THE QR QR CODE CODE TO TO LEARN LEARN MORE MORE

03 033333 0 00 00 0 70 700 00 0

Time on your BUSINESSMATTERS

hands Time is money, right? Discover the software used by over 55,000 beauty pros that frees up time & organises your work life HELENA BIGGS REPORTS

imely by name, the handy business management software company is timely by nature, designed to save you hours of admin so you can focus on serving up a fabulous experience for your client.

“We know the challenges people in the beauty industry face, because many of us have worked in the industry for years,” comments a spokesperson from Timely. “Many beauty pros lose valuable time with loved ones each day through dealing with clients, staff, no-shows, and wrangling booking requests via Instagram DMs, emails, and phone calls. That’s why every Timely feature is built to make life easier.”

How does it work?

Pros can experience a free 14-day trial of the Timely package they feel best suits their needs, and download the free guide to the software to support installation on a salon computer or smart device. What’s more, Timely can connect with your existing business tools – such as QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Google Calendar, Square and Zettle. If you’re away from the business, you can log into your account from the Timely iOS app to check appointments and access reports. “As someone who had never worked with beauty software before, I was able to set the whole thing up myself,” comments Lucy Wigfall, founder of Rose & River, South East London. “Timely makes work life so much easier; it’s a fundamental part of the business. Staff members can access their calendars

so they know what’s happening every day, and I can check in on the business when I’m not in the salon. “We use Timely as our central point of sale. Cashing up takes less than five minutes and makes my life easier so I can focus on getting the salon ready for the next day.” Timely also has an inclusive and supportive global community of beauty professionals, award-winning local customer support, and access to lots of free education from industry experts; perfect for a blossoming business.

Stephanie Chaytor

Stephanie Chaytor, owner of Karma Beauty & Beautique, introduced Timely to her UK-based business and saw her no-shows more than halve. She comments: “SMS appointment reminders are my favourite feature, and online bookings are a game changer; gone are the days of pen and paper.

“There are no more double-booked rooms or nail desks, and any minor problems or queries are resolved quickly. I’ve never worked with such a supportive company.”

“Everything we do is for our community of customers, from the features we develop in our product, to the content we produce and share.” Tamara Reid, head of brand at Timely 58 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

BUSINESSMATTERS KEY FEATURES

• Appointments Fill your calendar, maximise your booked time and make things easy for clients with an intelligent booking solution. • Client management Build client profiles, personalise conversations and recognise and reward VIPs. • Sales & payments Create a seamless check-out experience for clients with payment solutions for front of house, mobile, upsell and more. • Marketing Build your brand, credibility and client loyalty with Timely’s handy marketing tools. • Inventory Cut your admin time in half with sophisticated retail and professional stock management tools. • Employees Stay in control of your business and keep your team focused and organised with staff dashboards, timesheets, rosters and automated appointment updates. • Reporting & analytics Timely’s dashboard and reports provide insights to power your decision-making and motivate your team. • Business admin Manage your team and locations from anywhere with easy-to use tools.

TECH TALK

Timely has also launched Consult, a free app for client consultations on an iPad. Simply give the iPad to the customer, they fill out the consultation form, and it uploads directly to their client profile in Timely. In addition, Timely can connect to the likes of Zettle to make paying for treatments easy for clients. They just tap on the portable Zettle card reader which connects with Timely, and payment is complete.

When Beaconsfield based nail technician, Chloe Joel, shared images of her ombré nail styles on social media, they quickly went viral – and she found herself juggling up to 30 clients a week. Overwhelmed by admin, she turned to Timely to take over her business management and bookings. “Before Timely, I spent every evening sending text messages individually to clients to remind them of their appointment the following day, and it took a lot of time,” Chloe reveals. “Timely was so simple to set up and I could adjust everything to suit my business needs. An online booking system for clients looks really professional, too!” Chloe quickly got to grips the software, which is now a core part of her business. She admits that she loves seeing her day planned out clearly on the system and Timely’s reminder emails reduce any confusion and last-minute cancellations, which has saved her money.

PRICES & PACKAGES

Timely offers three flexible packages; an option to suit every pro, whether you’re just starting out or are an industry veteran. These can be tailored to any business size too, from solo workers to salons with over 20 bookable staff members, and each offers a free trial. Basic offers the foundations for managing your business, including an appointment calendar, client records, online booking, stock management and 100 SMS per month. Elevate is the most popular package, designed to help grow your revenue and elevate your brand. It offers all the elements of the Basic package – with an extra 100 SMS per month, integrated consultation forms and a waitlist feature. Innovate offers sophisticated tools to help you innovate your business and grow. A step up from Elevate, it features a staff target feature, Google Tag Manager, advanced consultation forms and 300 SMS per month.

“Whenever I’ve sent a DM or email to the Timely team, I have received a quick response,” Chloe continues. “Timely also shares my work on social media, which gives my business a boost.” Chloe, who boasts over 26,000 followers on Instagram as @nailsbychloej, often wakes to find her calendar has been filled by clients booking via Timely overnight. “My clients love the software because it’s simple for them to use and they don’t feel like they are pestering me at 11pm to make an appointment,” she says. “Even when I’m mid-treatment, clients can go into their phone and rebook, which saves me so much time.”

To learn more about Timely, visit www.gettimely.uk or scan here /liketimely

@timely

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 59

go pretty.

polished perfection

it's time...

ULTRA FINE, PREMIUM DIP POWDERS APPLIED IN 4 EASY STEPS WITH DEDICATED SUPPORT FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

what's in it for you? QUICK & EASY TO APPLY SUPER QUICK DRY TIME WITH

what's in it for your clients? ADDS LENGTH & STRENGTH WITHOUT DAMAGE

NO NEED FOR UV CURE

LIGHTER, SMOOTHER FINISH

NO EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT

LASTS FOR UP TO 4 WEEKS

PERFECT BASE FOR NAIL ART

CALCIUM & VITAMIN E FORTIFIED

& GEL POLISH

HEMA FREE & VEGAN

BEAUTIFUL FRENCH NAILS MIN 60-80 SETS PER 2OZ POT

APPLIED IN HALF THE TIME OF TRADITIONAL ACRYLICS

www.gopretty.co.uk

to rethink powder.

TTRRAAII NNIINNGG PPAARRTT NNEERRSS W WAANN FFIINNDD TTEEDD OOUUTT MMOO RREEBB EELLOOWW

""O ON NEE O OFF TTH HEE BBEESSTT SSYYSSTTEEM MSS IIN N TTH HEE BBU USSIIN NEESSSS.. IITT''SS A A PPLLEEA ASSU URREE TTO O W WO ORRK KA ALLO ON NG GSSIID DEE G GO O PPRREETTTTYY,, W WH HO OA ARREE A ALLW WA AYYSS H HA APPPPYY TTO OH HEELLPP"" -- SSIIN NEEA AD D''SS BBEEA AU UTTYY BBO OXX --

master the art.

SCAN SCAN TO TO BECOME BECOME A A TRAINING TRAINING PARTNER PARTNER OR OR ENROL ENROL NOW NOW WITH WITH OUR OUR ACCREDITED ACCREDITED ABT ABT TRAINING TRAINING COURSE COURSE OR OR ONLINE ONLINE TUTORIAL TUTORIAL

TRAINING TRAINING MATERIALS MATERIALS •• STUDENT STUDENT PACKS PACKS •• DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS •• ONLINE ONLINE SUPPORT SUPPORT

PROGENX PROGENX MINI MINI KIT KIT OFFER OFFER IIN NCCLLUUD DEESS: : 22O OZZ PPRRO OGGEEN NXX CCRRYYSSTTAALL CCLLEEAARR, , 33 XX 11O OZZ PPRRO OGGEEN NXX CCO OLLO OUURRSS, , LLIIQ QUUIID DSS 11--44, , BBRRUUSSH H SSO OFFTTEEN NEERR, , 22 XX BBRRUUSSH H SSTTEEM MSS. .

w ow ttrryy iitt nno 0 0220 033 448888 11779922

ONLY ONLY £92.50 £92.50

BROTHERS & NAILTALES

As 10 April marks Siblings Day, Scratch explores the dynamics of mixing business with family by putting the spotlight on brothers & sisters working together in the nail industry REBECCA HITCHON EXPLORES

sisters It doesn’t matter whether your sibling is your best friend or the relative that you only see at family get-togethers – keeping a business in the family can afford an interesting dynamic. But with Siblings Day celebrating the relationships we have with our brothers and sisters this month, we focus on nine sets of siblings who have joined forces to run successful brands and salon businesses.

VODEX

Sibling duo: Natasia-Louise James, marketing office manager & Parris-Emily James, salesperson It was inevitable that sisters, Natasia-Louise and Parris-Emily, would end up working together at beauty extraction company, Vodex. With their mother, step-dad and godmother all part of the business, the brand is a family affair through and through.

Millou Nails & Beauty

Kerry Snowball & Sophie Sanderson

Sibling duo: Kerry Snowball & Sophie Sanderson Natasia-Louise & Parris-Emily James

Natasia joined the team in 2015 and Parris in 2017 – although Natasia jokes that this was only their ‘official’ appointment, as the pair would help with the business alongside college and other jobs. “We always hear people say, ‘I don’t know how you can work with family’, but we all get along just fine,” she tells Scratch. “Don’t get us wrong, sometimes there are days when you could scream with frustration about something incredibly insignificant, but what family doesn’t have days like that?

A joint career in beauty has always seemed on the cards for Millou Nails & Beauty sisters Kerry and Sophie, even with a 20-year age gap between them. When Kerry was on extended maternity leave for her second child, she started face painting for children’s parties and Sophie, at the age of 12, helped her out. Then when Kerry decided to make the move from having a home salon to opening a salon space in Consett, County Durham, Sophie worked with her every Saturday, later training in beauty therapy at college.

“The only issues we really face as siblings are if one of us has beaten the other to an enquiry and hasn’t informed the other, or if we have a different opinion on something and both don’t back down – but that’s just general sibling rivalry,” she continues.

“I knew then we had the right working partnership and it’s grown from strength to strength,” reveals Kerry. “We work at the same pace and skill level, but we like different treatments and that works well in the salon. We have the same level of expectation and our standards are the same, which is great while directing our team.”

Natasia explains that the working relationship with her sister is an extension of their home life. “We probably take working together for granted; it means we get to spend more time together,” she says, revealing that when Parris went on maternity leave in 2020, she missed working alongside her.

Kerry explains that the best thing about working with Sophie is the strong and unconditional level of trust and loyalty for every aspect of their working relationship.

“A big benefit of us working together means that we can fill in for one another when we’re off work so the business can keep running without disruption,” she admits. www.vodex.co.uk Natasia and Parris’ top tips for working with siblings • Respect one another. • Make the most of each other’s individual abilities and strengths. • If you can sense someone’s having a bad day, accept it and keep a distance. • Stepping away from work at home is key to ensure you can continue to provide the best service possible. 62 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

“Challenges do arise when working together, as in every working relationship, and sometimes it can be fiery as we can be too honest, but we have learned to talk and not let things build up until an issue is too difficult to approach,” she adds. “We absolutely love working together and wouldn’t have it any other way!” millounailsandbeauty.vpweb.co.uk

NAILTALES

PRO10 BEAUTY

Sibling duo: Iain Wood, commercial director, & Annika Meek, client relationship director When Iain Wood decided to set up Pro10 Beauty, a distribution company for nail and beauty brand, LCN, he needed a business partner and approached his sister, Annika, as the timing was right for her to get involved.

Iain Wood

Annika Meek

“We are lucky to have different skillsets and approaches that fit together very smoothly,” she reveals. “Iain is a born entrepreneur – even when we were children, he enjoyed coming up with business ideas and implementing them. I have many years’ experience working in international finance and efficient customer care and an appreciation of client concerns comes naturally to me. “Knowing each other so well means that we can enhance each other’s strengths and balance each other’s weaknesses,” Annika continues. But the fact that siblings can talk issues through without reservation, and often preempt them before they develop into something serious, is what she sees as one of the biggest advantages. “There is no doubt that working with siblings throws up occasional challenges – even childhood niggles can play into the interaction, but there is always a path to compromise,” she adds. “A united approach to the goals of the business and being able to motivate each other through the rough patches is important. Honest exchange is crucial, as is ongoing appreciation for your sibling’s contributions.” Pro10 Beauty is the UK distributor of LCN products, www.lcnuk.co.uk

“There is no doubt that working with siblings throws up occasional challenges – even childhood niggles can play into the interaction, but there is always a path to compromise.” Annika Meek

GLITTERBELS

Sibling trio: Elliott Maginnis, co-founder, Macauley Maginnis, finance director, and Alex Maginnis, head of furniture production While Annabel Maginnis will probably come to mind when you hear the word ‘Glitterbels’, there is a trio of siblings involved in the brand – Annabel’s husband, Elliott, and his brothers, Mac and Alex. It was unexpected for the brothers that they ended up working together, but they tell Scratch that they quickly came to realise that it made sense to combine their various skills. “We are lucky that we can work effectively both individually, and as part of a team,” reveals Mac. “We each have a different outlook, and that creates a strong dynamic for business growth. I’m very methodical and organised, Alex is smart and an expert carpenter and Elliott is creative and has a good knowledge of market penetration.”

Mac, Elliott & Alex Maginnis

“We also completely understand each other and know how each other likes to work – Mac likes a quiet space, Alex likes the sounds of machinery and I like both,” adds Elliott. “The most important advantage of working with siblings is that from day one, trust is already there – and this is something that can take a long time to build usually,” says Alex. “We can trust that if something needs doing, it will be done, and because we speak outside of work, nothing is left unattended to. “Being siblings gives you an edge on any other ordinary business, as you know each other inside out and can utilise each other’s skillsets,” he adds, explaining that this also helps with managing challenges that arise. “I just hope one day my eldest brother Dain, who is a tattoo artist, can come and join the business, maybe offering Glitterbels tattoos,” laughs Elliott. www.glitterbels.com

“We work well together as we all have different outlooks, giving us a strong dynamic to allow business growth.” >> SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 63

NAILTALES

LOUELLA BELLE

Sibling duo: Jamie & Darren Crook, joint CEOs Founded by their mother, Lisa Crook, and named as a homage to their grandparents, Louis and Stella, Louella Belle has always had a family presence. Jamie and Darren were both invited to join the business by their mother and cite the fact that they both focus on different aspects of the company as the reason why they work so well as joint CEOs. “Darren is very good at and enjoys the things that I am not so keen on, and vice versa,” comments Jamie. “It helps that we have different areas of the business to focus on and trust each other to do our jobs. If you can’t trust your family, who can you trust?” “We very rarely argue because we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses so complement each other well,” agrees Darren. “My top tip for working with a sibling is to make sure that you both enjoy what you do. There are always ups and downs in business, but if you enjoy what you do and also who you work with, the downs are a lot easier to navigate.”

Jamie Crook & Darren Crook

When asked about challenges they face working together, Jamie and Darren say the same thing – the business following them home on evenings and weekends. “My wife would be the first to agree with that – it can be frustrating for family members having to hear us talk business out of the office,” adds Jamie. But the pair try to separate business and family life by ensuring the workplace environment isn’t too personal. “It is always tempting to have name-calling between siblings, but it is important to maintain a professional decorum when working with one,” says Jamie. www.louellabelle.co.uk

“My top tip for working with a sibling is to make sure that you both enjoy what you do. There are always ups and downs in business, but if you enjoy what you do and also who you work with, the downs are a lot easier to navigate.” Darren Crook

GLOSS

Sibling duo: Rebekah Lockett & Jemma King When nail tech, Rebekah Lockett, needed someone to cover her role while she was on maternity leave, she encouraged her sister, Jemma, to train up to help her out. “Working together at Gloss is a dream come true for us, because not only are we sisters – we are best friends and now business partners,” says Rebekah. “The dynamic between us is so effective, as Jemma is the organised one and I have more of a ‘wing it’ attitude, which complement each other well.” If challenges arise, the pair agree to talk them through and tackle them together. “We are a double act; we come as a pair and we’ve got each other’s backs. “I would say to anyone looking to work with a sibling, make sure you get on extremely well before heading into a business together, have a proper plan in place and talk about foreseeable problems that could occur,” Rebekah continues, admitting that it took years of the sisters renting a chair at a local salon before they took the plunge and decided to open their own salon space. “We must say a few times a week how lucky we are to do nails all day, side by side, and making a living out of it!” Rebekah chuckles. gloss-im.book.app

64 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Rebekah Lockett & Jemma King

“I would say to anyone looking to work with a sibling, make sure you get on extremely well before heading into a business together.”

NAILTALES

Natalie Dams Beauty

Sibling duo: Natalie Dams-Cook & April Dams When Natalie Dams-Cook opened her salon in 2015, she had an inkling that her younger sister, April, would join the business, due to their close relationship and alignment of interests. Starting in the salon on Saturdays to help with appointment bookings, April decided to train in beauty therapy at college, realising her passion for nail treatments. “She is particularly skilled at hand-painted nail art, whereas I enjoy plain nail styles,” reveals Natalie, when explaining the balance that the pair have mastered. “We adore working together as it means we get to see more of each other and over the years our relationship has grown stronger. We boost each other’s spirits and April calms me down when salon owner and mum life become too much,” she continues.

Natalie Dams-Cook & April Dams

“We adore working together as it means we get to see more of each other and over the years our relationship has grown stronger.”

This dynamic is what Natalie and April have tried to mirror in the rest of the salon, with 11 people making up their team, but Natalie admits that there’s nothing like a supportive sibling that only wants the best for you. “Our top tip for working with your sibling would be to make sure you are alike with similar interests, and that you are honest with each other all the time,” she adds. www.nataliedamsbeauty.com

TOP TIPS

Twin sisters, Magda Baranowska and Gosia Hołowczak of Twinz Nails Salon & Academy, reveal five top tips for working together successfully:

INK London

Sibling trio: Chrissy Sheridan, director, Louise Kiely, director, & Holly Britton, customer services manager

Holly, Chrissy & Louise celebrating INK London’s fourth birthday

Joining forces in the workplace was an effortless move for INK London’s sister trio, Chrissy, Louise and Holly. “We love going on day trips and holidays together, so working with each other was the natural next step for us,” the sisters tell Scratch. It’s this love of doing things together that actually brings the most challenges, as the sisters explain that when they go on a girls’ holiday, the remaining INK London staff are left three people down. With two years between each of them, Holly is the eldest sibling, followed by Louise and then Chrissy, who both joined the company as qualified nail techs. “Also with a sales background, Chrissy was involved in the setup of the company and Louise has experience in finance that has benefitted her in her role,” the sisters reveal. “As INK grew, Holly joined to help with tasks including the processing of sales. There is also our brother, who is a chemist and the mastermind behind our products.” “We know working together as siblings doesn’t work for everyone, but it does for us,” they add. “There’s no questioning each other’s decisions or guessing what the others are thinking because we aren’t hesitant in telling each other!”

Chrissy, Louise & Holly as kids

Chrissy, Louise and Holly believe that it is their varying qualities that have helped them work well together, as each individual brings something different to the team. www.inknails.com

A second set of eyes is always best

We catch each other’s mistakes and typos. When there’s something that we’re stuck on, each problem is shared and as a result, halved.

New things can be learned through collaboration

Magda Baranowska

Even though we are in the & Gosia Holowczak same business, we still have different experiences and knowledge, which we’re teaching each other now that we’re working on many of the same projects.

Working together isn’t quality time

Despite spending time together during the day, we still need time to be ourselves outside of work. We try to have dinner together and have conversations about things unrelated to work.

Sibling rivalry can be a good thing We all want to be our best self, but sometimes we need that extra push. Competition is healthy and often helps you create your best work.

Don’t bring your conflict to work

We all know that siblings fight but when you work together, the boundaries between ‘sibling you’ and ‘work you’ have to be established. You have to set aside differences for the benefit of your work. www.twinznails.co.uk

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 65

SALONSPOTLIGHTS

Through the

Keyhole Take a peek inside salon setups across the UK as Scratch unlocks each door…

Chloë’s Beauty Location: Carlisle, Cumbria

Chloë Warton worked in a salon for three and a half years before she was approached to rent a room in a hair salon. She then moved to a bigger premises above a hairdressers. “This is where Chloë’s Beauty was born. I spent five years there growing my business and training college students on placements,” Chloe reveals. “This sparked a passion for teaching and so I returned to college to complete my Certificate in Education & Training.” After the first lockdown, Chloë opened her own salon in the centre of Carlisle. “I was the busiest I had ever been so I employed two techs to work alongside me,” she reveals. “Our working environment is friendly, and we pride ourselves on making clients feel welcome and personalising the salon experience. “Many of my clients have been with me since I first entered the industry, and are at the heart of the salon. New clients are given a letter on their first visit, which explains how we work and what to expect from their salon visit. We frequently send out feedback questionnaires so we can continue to improve their experience.” Focused on creating a calming and welcoming atmosphere for clients, Chloë has chosen pastel pink and neutral shades for her décor. “The salon is a modern, relaxing space and a big pink tree catches the eyes of clients. It looks so beautiful and supports a sense of escapism. Clients can forget their worries when they’re sitting under the tree!” www.chloes-beauty.com

Do you want to be featured on this page? Scan here to submit your salon or setup

@chloesbeauty03

Stacey’s Gel Nails Location: Meriden, West Midlands

Stacey Cox completed nail training pre-lockdown, but her plans to start offering nail services were thwarted due to the pandemic. During this time, she set up her home nail studio instead and researched brands to use, opting for prep tools by The Nail Lab UK and gel polish from The GelBottle Inc. Stacey’s pretty, relaxing space features a pink peony wall; a nod to Stacey’s wedding flowers. “I wanted a feminine space to escape to, as I live with my husband and our three young boys,” she smiles. “The space is cosy with a hint of luxury and has been shortlisted in the UK Beauty Awards for Best Salon Décor. I love my glass display units which showcase my gel polish shades in an effective and decorative way.” The nail stylist began training in permanent make-up services in December 2021 and will soon provide permanent make-up for eyebrows, lip blush and more alongside her nail services. “I have recently added a foot massager to the studio so clients can truly relax while getting their nails done,” Stacey reveals. “I also welcome clients in pairs if they are celebrating an occasion or want to enjoy the salon experience together. I love offering treatments that can have a big impact on my client’s confidence for the better.” @stacey_gel_nails

66 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

NEW OPI GELCOLOR STARTER KIT SAVE 30%

ONLY £104.90

Perform up to 100 services with our most beloved products and generate service revenue of £3,000. Receive 50% discount on OPI GelColor education training ESSENTIALS TO KICKSTARTYOUR GEL BUSINESS SHOPAT TRADE.OPIUK.COM ALSO AVAILABLE AT WWW.SALLYBEAUTY.CO.UK AND WWW.ELLISONS.CO.UK

TECHSPOTLIGHT

READERS GALLERY

Nail art fanatic & passionate pro, NATASHA WOODS of The Nailbed, Ireland, shares her favourite nail styles, career goals & dreams

68 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

TECHSPOTLIGHT

Name – Natasha Woods Age – 39 years Business name – The Nailbed Location – Dundalk, Ireland Years in nails – Seven and a half years. Trained with – Mosaic Nails, NSI Nails and EzFlow Nail Systems. Favourite products – I use the NSI Attraction acrylic system for L&P enhancements as I love its consistency. For gel, I choose NSI’s Balance system and hard gel brand, Youforianails, created by a lady who lives in my hometown. I’m a regular user of builder gel and use NSI’s Balance Builder In A Bottle to support the durability of my services. For nail art and glitter encapsulation, I use Glitterarty Nails products as the quality is amazing. After using the products for two years, I was invited to be an ambassador for the brand. Favourite nail technique – I enjoy using gel polish and creating marbled looks using L&P acrylic. Marbling offers a different result every time, and looks so effective on the nail.

Favourite nail design – I like to experiment with new trends but a reverse French glitter tip looks stunning, although it can be a tricky look to master! Career ambition & vision – This changes every few years as I have both short and long-term goals, and sometimes when I reach a short-term goal, my long-term ones change. When I began my journey in nails, my aim was to be a great gel technician, and then I wanted to be a great L&P tech. After that, I wanted to teach other nail enthusiasts. I love enabling them to reach their own milestones. In the next few years, I hope to grow my business to open a joint salon/academy with my own education team. Who do you admire in the industry? There are too many to name but Gemma Lambert of The Nail Team, Denise Wright of Denise Wright Nail Academy and Kirsty Meakin have had a huge influence on my nail career since the start, and inspire me to this day. Their achievements are outstanding. I also have a lot of admiration for Louisa Flanagan, owner of NSI Ireland, and Carlene Flanagan, formerly NSI Ireland. They believed in me when I didn’t and pushed me to achieve what I have today. @natsnailbed_nailartisteducator

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 69

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

JUST ADD

20/21 WINNER

ABOUT ANNABEL

Annabel Maginnis studied fashion and make-up artistry in London before moving into the nail world in 2015. Her notable creative flair in the field saw her Instagram following skyrocket. Fuelled by momentum, she opened her own salon, Nails By Annabel, in Newcastle, and in 2017, supported by husband, Elliott, the duo launched Glitterbels – a professional range of nail products. In 2021, the business was awarded the Scratch Stars Shooting Star Award based on its growth, popularity and provision of education and products for pros.

r e t t gli Help your business sparkle & nail designs shine with advice & inspo from ANNABEL MAGINNIS, co-founder of Glitterbels MAGINNIS

The importance of décor

t’s vital to consider the look and atmosphere of your nail space to attract customers and make them feel comfortable throughout their appointment. Here are five key things to consider when designing or revamping your salon:

1. Choose a theme

Do you want a space that’s airy and light, funky and bright, oh-so retro or dark and sultry? Once you have finalised your theme, search for your perfect salon furniture items to complement. These items must be both comfortable and functional, and keep colours and fabrics in line with your theme. Whether your budget is big or small, invest in accessories to enhance your theme. A room can be dressed on a small budget; consider frames on the walls with chosen prints, cushions, and items on the nail and reception desks.

2. Consider lighting

Glitterbels Deluxe Single Nail Desk from £800 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com

www.nailsbyannabel.co.uk /Nailsbyannabelm & /GlitterbelsbyAnnabel @nails_by_annabel_m & @glitterbels /Nailsbyannabelm & /Glitterbels 70 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Lighting is key for a precise nail service and to avoid eye strain. If your nail space lacks natural light, invest in a good quality nail desk lamp that’s fit for purpose.

3. Comfort is key

Your work is your livelihood and you may be spending the majority of your day at the nail desk, so comfort is paramount. Prevent back ach e with an adjustable chair designed for long periods of sitting, and don’t opt for fashion over function.

Consider your client’s comfort too; a sturdy, cushioned chair will mean they can truly relax and enjoy their nail treatment.

4. Be brand aware

Your theme and branding should extend from your nail space to your Glitterbels Pink & Gold Salon Chair £119.99 inc VAT social media accounts www.glitterbels.com and website. For example, if your salon is bright and trendy with neon signs, don’t post dark, sultry images on your social platforms. Keep your colour scheme apparent across your social accounts to reinforce your brand image.

5. Love your space

Your workspace is like your second home and many can spend more hours in the salon than at home during busy periods. Keep in mind that both you and your clients need to be happy, so if you’re not feeling proud and comfortable in your space then you won’t function at your best. A room should never allow the eyes to settle in one place. Walk around your nail space and consider it from different points of view. Sit where your client will sit; are you happy with what they see? Let them see a space that is clean, cherished and adored. How you love your nail space is an indication of your love for the job. Until next month,

Annabel x

A N E XC E P T I O N A L TO O L TO A DVA N C E YO U R B U S I N E S S

Discover why Timely is the world’s most loved business management software for salons of any size, industry and growth ambition.

g e t t i m e l y. c o m

COMPANYSPOTLIGHT

Passion &

r e w Po

Formed by icons & fuelled by passion, Scratch shines a focus on Entity Beauty & how it can colour your nail business beautiful CHLOE RANDALL REPORTS

o doubt many of us follow celebrity man-icurist, Tom Bachik, on Instagram and are more than aware of late industry icon, Tom Holcomb. The duo combined their incredible skills as world champion nail artists with practical knowledge of nail tech needs to create Entity Beauty back in 2005. And their goals? To celebrate the natural beauty of the human hand and reawaken creativity in nail techs. Entity Beauty encourages excellence, and owing to the Toms’ reputation amongst the competition circuit, the brand launched a liquid & powder acrylic system. Combining innovative science and technology with years of the duo’s championship expertise, two sculpting liquids were unveiled to suit different speed needs, alongside a range of clear, pink and white powders. The passion for pink & white nails is reflected in Entity Beauty’s branding; slick, sophisticated and a stylish addition to a nail space. As popularity for the brand grew, so did its portfolio, which welcomed the Entity One Gel hard gel system, nail tech accessories and Nanovive Skin Couture, Entity’s first brand extension beyond the nail. Nanovive was adapted from skincare products for acute burn patients, using nanotechnology and made relevant for nail salons and spas. The brand leapt into the colour sphere with Entity

72 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

“Through education and Color Couture Soak-Off Gel Polish, a brushpromotion, Entity on formula with high-shine finish that offers 21 days wear. The ultra-hydrating has expanded and around Argan Oil range, including cuticle drops, for that we are grateful body oil spray and replenishing lotion, offers the perfect finish for a hand or to our team members footcare treatment. who have helped Nail industry veteran and multi award-winner, developed the John Hauk, was appointed as Entity’s artistic director in 2014, continuing the legacy of the brand to what Toms. Upon celebrating its 10th anniversary in it is today.” 2015, Entity Beauty was acquired by US powerhouse, Nail Alliance, who catapulted the brand across the Atlantic via the appointment of international distributors, and the brand continues to develop products and education courses that empower the pro. Layla Tourh of The Creative Beauty Group, a UK distributor of Entity Beauty products, comments: “Entity Beauty’s heritage speaks volumes. The brand was popular when I owned a salon back in 2005 and has solid foundations that have stood the test of time. “High end in both look and quality, Entity’s product range is continually expanding and developing to help techs reignite their love for nails and make more money from their services.”

COMPANYSPOTLIGHT

Entity UK distributor – Layla Tourh & team

ENTITY BEAUTY OFFERINGS • • • • • • • • •

Nail accessories & tools Argan Oil range Studio One Contouring Gel Entity One Gel Hard Gel Liquid & Powder Acrylic system One Color Couture Gel Polish Dip & Buff Acrylic Dip Powder Prep & finish products Merchandising

ENTITY EDUCATION

“Entity Beauty provides the tools, training and ideas to ignite your imagination. Our methodology is based on 30 combined years of setting the industry afire and our strategies accelerate both your art and your business.”

Alongside its blossoming product portfolio, Entity offers training courses with a team of Entity educators who have years of professional experience and award-winning credentials. The courses include: • Dip & Buff training class • Studio One Polygel Skill Building course • Liquid & Powder Skill Building class • Liquid & Powder Beginners course • One Color Couture Gel Polish training course

HOT PICK!

Learn more about Entity Beauty via www.entitybeauty.com Entity Beauty products and education are available in the UK via www.thecreativebeautygroup.co.uk /thecreativebeautygroup @entitybeautyuk_

Entity Beauty has unveiled Rubber Base Gel, a self-levelling formula that conceals flaws and ridges on the nail, and serves up a smooth finish. Available in four neutral shades, the Rubber Base Gel formula is flexible and volumising, enabling you to shape the natural nail to the desired effect without building. With three weeks’ wear and resistance to chipping and peeling, the Rubber Base Gel can be used alone or as a base layer for Entity One Color Couture Gel Polish.

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 73

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

www.olympiabeauty.co.uk

@olympiabeautyuk

@olympiabeauty

Join us! WWW.OLYMPIABEAUTY.CO.UK VIDEO • BRAND CONTENT • NEW LAUNCHES • ADVICE & TRAINING • DISCOUNT CODES • PRIZE GIVEAWAYS • SUBSCRIPTIONS & MEMBERSHIPS • STORIES & TESTIMONIALS

A UNIQUE ONLINE EVENT FOR BEAUTY PROFESSIONALS FEATURED NAIL BRANDS INCLUDE

TREATMENTSPOTLIGHT

THE SMART

choice Are you seeking to expand your treatment offerings & diversify your business? HELENA BIGGS takes a look at laser hair removal & how it can grow your salon profits

ost businesses have some recouping to do when it comes to finances postpandemic. And while nail services ignite your creative prowess, you may want to consider enhancing your treatment menu – and profits – with the addition of laser hair removal to attract the 75% of your female client base who seek a long-term, fuzz-free solution. The perfect complement to your existing services, particularly in the run-up to summer when clients seek smooth pins alongside their pedi, you could be earning over £250 per hour with the SMARTDiode Pro. Created by The Smart Group, which has been supplying the health, beauty and aesthetic sectors since 2009, the SMARTDiode Pro offers effective, fast and comfortable laser hair removal for all skin types. It’s the compact sister of the SMARTDiode machine; swan-like in appearance and super sleek; saving valuable space in the beauty room. “The SMARTDiode Pro provides the nail and beauty operator with their first step into pain-free, super-fast laser hair removal at an affordable investment,” comments Josh Yardley, director at The Smart Group. “Laser hair removal can’t be offered online or supplied directly – so it’s a great option for professionals to introduce into their salon space.”

HOW IT WORKS

Laser hair removal involves pulsing specific wavelengths of laser light onto the targeted area, which are then absorbed by the darker pigment (melanin) in the hair shaft. This light energy is Before & after SMARTDiode then converted into heat, which hair removal treatments is transferred into the hair follicle to damage it and inhibit its future growth.

www.the-smartgroup.co.uk /uksmartgroup @smartgroupuk

76 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Diode lasers use a single wavelength of light that has a high absorption rate in melanin. This sets it apart from IPL (intense pulsed light) technology, which uses a broad spectrum of light with many wavelengths, thus leading to unfocused, wasted energy around the hair and skin. The SMARTDiode Pro features pre-set and bespoke treatment settings, so you can tailor the treatment depending on hair type, skin type and area for consistent, comfortable results.

TRAINING

To allow you to deliver SMARTDiode Pro treatments with confidence, The Smart Group offers CIBTAC and IQ Verify accredited training on-site for businesses, or at its regional training centres. “All Smart products are accompanied by a comprehensive and accredited training package to ensure that you can demonstrate expert delivery and exceptional client care,” continues Josh. “All Smart trainers are independent, qualified educators who provide practical expertise and knowledge.”

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

Recapture lost profits and rebuild a positive cashflow without a big initial outlay with a variety of investment options from The Smart Group. The team is offering interested parties: SMART Start 3: A payment of £50 a month for the first three months, followed by a four-year interest-free payment plan of £323 + VAT per month. Smart PAYG Rental Option: For an initial payment of 20% of the equipment value, operators will get a full SMARTDiode Pro package including the laser system with 25,000 ‘shots’, training and treatment insurance. Further laser ‘shots’ can be purchased on a pay-as-you-go basis as and when needed with no minimum spend.

WIN A SMARTDIODE PRO 4-WEEK TRIAL! Try out the SMARTDiode Pro for four weeks and receive training, insurance and campaign support in Scratch’s competition with The Smart Group. Head to www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/competitions to enter by 30 April.

TREATMENTSPOTLIGHT

“I spent a lot of time researching different systems, as I wanted to increase the salon revenue with a lucrative service that would appeal to many.”

SALON SPOTLIGHT Caroline Staite-Loveridge, owner of Aphrodite Beauty & Nails, Rugby, shares how SMARTDiode laser hair removal has revolutionised her business…

“I opened Aphrodite Beauty & Nails in 2005 after completing a nail qualification, and make it my mission to keep on top of the latest trends, products and treatment offerings to keep existing clients interested and attract new ones. “Following the first lockdown, I was keen to reopen the salon doors with something to excite my clients. Many of them had expressed an interest in hair removal and I spent a lot of time researching different systems, as I wanted to increase the salon revenue with a lucrative service that would appeal to many. “I already offered treatments with The Smart Group’s Accor Plasma Pen and had noticed the company’s offering of laser hair removal with SMARTDiode technology. The SMARTDiode machine stood out to me as it’s suitable for all skin types, is painfree and the treatments are fast. I had also heard great feedback from other salon owners about its results and the company’s support.”

First steps to finalising “The Smart Group gave me a virtual demonstration of the SMARTDiode via Zoom and detailed how the system worked and the business opportunities available. The team was on hand for any questions – as with lockdown just behind us, I had to be sure of my decision to add the option to the business. “I selected a finance plan over four years and The Smart Group delivered the machine a few weeks later. An educator from the company came to the salon to train the team and I, which was so convenient. The training was great; we received manuals and pre-tests four weeks before the educator arrived and on the day, we had a practical

session and got to practice on each other. This experience of the treatment was so important so that we could share it with clients.”

Marketing matters “Once we were confident in offering laser hair removal treatments, we promoted the options via our social media platforms, and The Smart Group sent amazing marketing materials, such as before and after photos. Many of our waxing clients have turned to laser hair removal and the services have appealed to current and new clients – with some travelling miles for their appointment. “Around one in five of our salon treatments are for laser hair removal and we offer a variety of packages to appeal to clients. Our full body package offers three areas with 35% off, or we have a ‘buy six treatments, get two free’ offer, and an option to spread payments.”

The treatment “Our beauty rooms aren’t huge, but the machine is surprisingly compact. A patch

test and consultation is undertaken 24 hours before a client’s first treatment and once in the treatment room, we enter three simple parameters into the software regarding the area to be treated, the client’s skin type and their hair type. The device then sets the laser to deliver a perfect treatment. “After applying a gel, we glide the handpiece back and forth over the area for hair removal. The SMARTDiode delivers the laser by rapidly flashing up to 10 ‘shots’ a second, making treatments really fast, and a cooling feature aids comfort. “At Aphrodite, we price according to the size of the treatment area and achieve in excess of £200 per hour through laser hair removal services with the SMARTDiode. Offering laser hair removal has been amazing for the business. It has motivated the team and given us something new and exciting to talk about and our client base has grown. “Investing in SMARTDiode has been the best business decision I have ever made.” www.aphroditerugby.co.uk /aphroditebeautyandsparugby @aphroditebeautyrugby

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 77

s e p o c s l i a N

SPIRIT&STYLE

gn ris ti c s o f e a c h si te c ra a h c e th Im m e rs e in e xp lo re s c o lo u r Y E IL IE LL A C s a o f th e zo d ia c , u r st a r st yl e … yo it su to s n g si p ic ks & d e BIRTHDAY TECH! Sabina Bungard

Milnrow based nail art specialist, Sabina Bungard, has been creating eye-catching nail looks for two years. She celebrates her birthday on 1 April, falling under the Aries star sign. “I am very creative with an artistic nature, and love that this industry affords room for expression,” she beams. “I meet the most incredible people at my nail desk; my clients push their own boundaries by choosing artistic looks. “While typically fiery in nature, I think this fire keeps an Aries determined and passionate. We tend to be very imaginative!” /sabina.beauty.artistry

@sabina.beauty.artistry

Aries

MARCH 21 – APRIL 19

Happy birthday Aries! April is a time to heighten your creativity. You’ll be feeling extra productive this month, so embrace it!

Taurus

The GelBottle Inc in Porcelain £14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Libra

Virgo

AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

Virgos – it’s time to get organised! Clear any clutter from your nail space and embrace a spring clean. Choose a reddish tone for nails for willpower and strength.

CND Vinylux™ in Poppy Fields £4.95 + VAT/RRP £11.95 www.sweetsquared.com

Scorpio

SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

Get ready for some fun this month and focus on what makes you happy in your personal and professional life. Stay positive with a punchy orange nail hue.

Sa arius

NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21

Lecenté Iridescent Glitter in Mimosa £3.99 + VAT www.lecente.com / www.sweetsquared.com / www.ellisons.co.uk

Capricorn

DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19

Renewal and forward plans are at the forefront of your mind. Be patient and wear a shade to ground you while you await positive changes and exciting new developments.

78 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Salon System Gellux in Be A‘maize’ing £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

JULY 23 – AUGUST 22

Evaluate your work status and start laying the foundation for future goals. Channel a sense of calm to concentrate with a cool blue hue on nails.

JUNE 21 – JULY 22

Halo Gel Polish in Indulgence £5.49 + VAT www.purenails.co

Geminis are blessed with inspiration and positive vibes this month, and new opportunities will present themselves. Keep optimistic about change with a happy yellow nail shade.

Leo

Training and education are a big focus this month. If you’ve been considering enrolling on a nail course, this month will offer motivation to take that step.

Light Elegance Glitter Gel in Creative Chaos £18.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

MAY 21 – JUNE 20

This month will bring a whirlwind of social activities. Get talking, expand your client base and build your social media profiles while you feel energised.

Cancer

April is a sociable month for Libras, and connections with others will be heightened. Keep energy high and embrace the outdoors for your social events, complemented by a gorgeous green nail shade.

Gemini

APRIL 20 – MAY 20

This Aries-inspired design by @mimisbeautybox_ features fiery shades, perfect for this bold and passionate sign.

Sabina Bungard utilises red, a top colour pick for Aries.

The urge to build or decorate is strong this month. Consider changing up your nail space if it’s something you’ve been considering.

Aquarius

JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 18

April will encourage Aquarians to step back and make time to rest and embrace quiet in their busy lives. Relax and rejuvenate with a calming, neutral nail shade.

Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish in Pick Me Please (available as part of the Full Bloom collection, £75 + VAT) www.gsgroupuk.com

Pisces

FEBRUARY 19 – MARCH 20

Pisces will feel motivated and ready for action this month. Channel this productively into your business and spark new connections with clients on social media.

WIN

SMARTDIODE PRO 4 WEEK FREE TRIAL

The perfect introduction to pain free, super-fast laser hair removal to your salon

Receive SMARTDiode Pro + Training + Insurance + Launch campaign for 4 weeks In association with

BECOME A SPECIALIST IN LASER HAIR REMOVAL • High demand and fast growing treatment • Compact, elegant & powerful • Proven results • Certified medical device

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS Generate £250+ per hour | From only £19 per session

AMAZING INVESTMENT OPTIONS • SMARTStart 3 - Just £50 a month for first 3 months then only £323 +VAT interest FREE • P.A.Y.G. Rental Option - No minimum payment term, option to buy at anytime

“I couldn’t believe my Hair No More treatment, it was so easy, comfortable, completely pain free and really fast, taking less than 10 minutes!” - Amy Childs, Salon Owner

www.the-smartgroup.co.uk

01344 411 480

I nstagram BUSINESSMATTERS

- meet reality EMMA HOBDAY examines the use of filters on professional photos & how you can take the perfect headshot for your business profile

There’s no denying that Instagram filters have integrated their way into the photos, Stories and Reels that we share on the platform. Whether they are used for fun (remember the puppy dog ears?), a confidence boost (hello, blurring and smoothing Paris filter) or to distort, it’s wise not to let the false world of filters distract you too much from reality. As it’s just that – not real. Taking that into consideration, this is why it’s best not to use filters on your professional headshot or on your nail imagery. You want clients to see the real you and real nail images, even if you think the photos look better with a filter. Otherwise, you’re serving up false expectations. A professional headshot that is so heavily filtered you don’t recognise yourself? Delete it. Nail images or videos with the hearts, sparkles or doodles filter? Scrap them. Nail expert and three-time Scratch Stars Awards winner, Katie Barnes, says that taking professional, clear nail photos can set you apart from your competitors and help build your brand and portfolio. “A great image will stop someone scrolling on social media and help them pay attention to your brand,” she comments. “Avoid the classic photo filters and instead use the manual sliders on an editing app to strike a balance between true to life and bright and Katie Barnes focused. It doesn’t need to be an extensive manipulation; often all you need is to adjust exposure, brightness and saturation.”

Image courtesy of Nathalie Gordon

Photographer and multi-media artist, Wendy Hope, agrees, saying that Instagram filters are a quick way to lose the integrity of the work you’ve just spent time creating. “The filters turn your beautiful artwork into something that looks juvenile and amateur. Invest in a daylight balanced ring light or LED designed for shooting nail art stills and videos on your phone instead.”

Headshot matters

“Always avoid using beauty filter apps on your selfies or headshot,” affirms Wendy. “If you don’t have experience and a trained eye, it’s the quickest way to overdo it. Retouching may cost a bit more, but professionals specialise in perfecting the integrity of skin.” Nathalie Gordon, a photographer who works in both the UK and the US, believes that a great professional headshot should always try to capture you as a person. “Even if you’re shy in front of the camera, a headshot should let your personality shine through and capture something that people will see and remember you for.” Nathalie says that she sometimes sets her camera on a tripod or a solid, steady surface and captures her headshot herself, like a professional selfie. However, the talented photographer is keen to clarify the difference between this and the selfies that are taken on a mobile phone. “Using a selfie or family taken photo doesn’t always convey the right message about your business. Also, ensure you have a clean and clear background, so the focus is purely on you,” she says.

“A great image will stop someone scrolling on social media and help them pay attention to your brand.” 80 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

BUSINESSMATTERS

Taking a headshot: Top tips by Wendy Hope Images courtesy of Nathalie Gordon

Lighting & background My favourite lighting will always be a strong, crisp, bold beauty light with a grid to keep the light from spreading everywhere, and a fill to soften the shadows. If you wear glasses, be mindful of reflections. I would also suggest finding a clean and simple white background.

Outfit I’d advise wearing something understated like a black shirt – not one that’s too casual, but that has some personality to it, and consider adding a blazer. Play with accessories because you are defining your brand and style, but don’t overdo it! Wardrobe is important because it’s the voice suggesting how you would like others to perceive you. So whether that’s fun, energetic and full of personality, or more straight-edge and professional; you need to put careful thought into this.

Facial expressions In our industry, presentation and first impressions are important. While on set or behind the chair, you’ll wear something to protect your clothing, so the headshot is really your opportunity to shine. Smile because you want to be warm and inviting. Attitude is best saved for fashion models!

Body pose I always suggest turning the shoulders and body at a threequarter angle, which is flattering, and learn the angles of your face. Sometimes, cocking the head ever so slightly can elongate the neck and read well on camera.

Hand & nail pose Make sure the hands and fingers are always moisturised and in a comfortable position. If you’re placing the hands on top of one another, lift and bend the wrists to keep the fingers long and relaxed. Soft and gentle poses with the nails in focus are best.

Hair & make-up Hair and make-up are great elements to create the image behind you and your brand, but stay away from quick trends. You want this image to last and not become dated too quickly. Remember, the clients you want to attract are expecting to work with someone highly skilled and professional, so take your appearance seriously.

Nail that photo

www.wendyhopephotography.com @wendyhoperocks

Images courtesy of Wendy Hope

Nathalie reveals that the easiest way to take an effective nail art photo is with your smart phone and natural light. “There are lots of smart phone accessories that you can find online, such as a ring flash and macro lens attachments that will help you take great photos. Think about your framing and what part of your design you would like to have as the focus of the image. “Have fun, introduce props, and don’t just stick to one location – take photos out and about, with friends or on holiday. Natural sun always makes nail art stand out.” www.nathaliegordon.com /BeautyMeetsArt @photonathalie

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 81

THE NATIONAL BEAUTY TRADE EVENT 22nd & 23rd May 2022

Coventry Building Society Arena

3 shows under 1 roof – Beauty UK, Hair and Barber UK & Holistic Health FREE parking at the venue Demos on the Warpaint Extra Makeup Stage, Hair & Barber Stage and Holistic Stages Educational seminars at the Salon Owners’ Business Forum & ThinkTree CPD Programme

INCLUDES FREE (WORTH OVER £50 RRP) OR £10 VOUCHER

Plus, more to be announced!

BeautyUKShow.com

We can’t wait for you to join us on Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd May at the Coventry Building Society Arena! Beauty UK will provide the ultimate trade exhibition experience, packed with inspiring demos and tutorials, and the chance to meet with like-minded professionals. You’ll find £1,000s of special offers from well-loved and upcoming brands. Plus, we’re excited to announce the launch of a dedicated make-up section, giving you the opportunity to meet leading exhibitors, and watch the latest techniques. Your £10 Entrance Ticket includes: TICKET TICKET OPTION OPTION 11

INCLUDES INCLUDES A A £10 £10 VOUCHER VOUCHER TO TO SPEND SPEND AT AT THE THE SHOW SHOW

OR OR TICKET TICKET OPTION OPTION 22

INCLUDES INCLUDES AN AN AMAZING AMAZING GOODY GOODY BAG BAG WORTH WORTH OVER OVER £50 £50 RRP RRP LIMITED LIMITED NUMBER NUMBER AVAILABLE! AVAILABLE!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW BeautyUKShow.com BeautyUKShow BeautyUKShow

BeautyUKShow BeautyUKShow

Beautyukshow Beautyukshow

MENTALHEALTHMATTERS

Care vs. Overshare Do you feel uneasy when a client overshares at the nail desk? LILLY DELMAGE gathers advice to help set boundaries & protect your mental health

alon spaces are open, inclusive environments, encouraging escapism and time to feel safe and relaxed. However, this can lead to clients divulging their circumstances and frustrations to you, the treatment provider and a trusted figure outside of their inner circle.

For the duration of a nail appointment, you’re face-to-face with a client, in their space with their hands quite literally in yours. Barriers are broken and often, personal details are shared. But is it time to redefine clienttherapist boundaries, or is listening to client burdens part of the role?

WHY SHARE? “Clients often use their treatment time to switch off, which can result in reflection of the life they will be returning to once they leave the salon space,” reveals Susan Routledge, founder of the Beauty Directors Club. “There is a huge amount of trust between a therapist and a client due to Susan Routledge the personal nature of beauty treatments. This can create a natural arena for clients to talk about personal issues and seek validation or advice.” Beauty therapist, Ellie Gresty, adds, “Some clients like to talk to someone who isn’t related to them or involved in a situation. It is not a responsibility for us to deal with a client’s personal issues, however a huge part of our job is talking, listening and making clients feel comfortable. Sharing problems can fall within this, but pros have the right to set boundaries.” Lush Beauty Cheshire co-owner, Francesca Cassinelli, has worked in the industry for 13 years and has formed strong relationships with her regular clients. She comments, “I’ve heard it all; marriage problems, health scares, problems with the family, issues with pets and work – but sometimes clients just need you to listen; they Francesca Cassinelli aren’t actively seeking a solution.” 84 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Francesca finds clients confiding in her to be one of the most rewarding parts of the job. However, she admits that their worries can sometimes become hers. The extent to which techs get affected by client confessions often depends on the personality type of the therapist. The nature of the job often attracts a ‘people’s person’, particularly expressing empathetic, caring, and friendly characteristics. “Many therapists value this deep connection that grows as it helps to form long-term relationships, which can be great for business,” comments Hollie Power, beauty business mentor & co-founder of Salonology. “The flip side however, is that we can be put into a difficult situation, where we hear too much or get asked Hollie Power too much. As our clients feel safe, they offload problems, worries, rumours, negative stories and personal situations that they otherwise may not share. “This can almost mimic a counsellor-client relationship. Generally, therapists aren’t sufficiently trained to appropriately answer or help the client and can be left feeling unhelpful or frustrated.”

THE IMPACT According to The British Beauty Council, mental health issues rose by 8% during the pandemic. With mental health services in such high demand, it’s unsurprising that loyal clients have turned to their trusted techs to offload. Friendly chit-chat is often seen as part of the overall experience, but beauty therapists have voiced a notable shift in client conversations. Light-hearted natter in many cases has turned to offloading anxieties and serious concerns, which can be emotionally draining. “During the pandemic, it did get to a point where we were all struggling to lift spirits. I think we felt it the most at Christmas in 2020, as it was a time of year when clients and pros should be excited for party season and spending time with friends and family, but

MENTALHEALTHMATTERS because everyone knew it wasn’t going to happen, the mood in the salon wasn’t upbeat,” Francesca reflects. “We all felt it was really hard to keep everyone’s morale up at such an odd time of year.” The pressures of the pandemic have put increased strain on both clients and techs, but when does sharing become overbearing? “What one therapist may find too much to handle, another may find perfectly fine,” comments Ellie Gresty. “Setting personal Ellie Gresty boundaries with clients is essential so that they do not overstep and make the tech feeling overwhelmed. “Boundaries can be difficult to implement, as you don’t want to upset your client. I think the best thing to do is be completely honest in a calm, professional and polite way. Try to change the subject or explain that you’re unsure how to help, and steer the conversation in a different direction.” Francesca often uses a signposting method to divert conversations, revealing, “I have conversation changers ready if I feel a conversation is heading in a way that may make myself or others feel uncomfortable. I tend to start new conversations with light questions, such as ‘what TV series have you been watching recently?’” Hollie Power adds: “It’s important to give the clients a space to talk but be clear and upfront. Explain that you are focused on creating a positive environment and sharing happy tales and stories. Equip staff with some go-to conversation starters and joyful stories, and post on your social platforms about being a positive space.” “It’s important to remember you are there to do your job,” asserts Kasey Cadwallader, owner of Kasey’s Browtique & Beauty and creator of The Mental Health Beautician. “It can be easy to cross boundaries, especially with a regular client, but you are not there to advise or pass judgement. Kasey Cadwallader

“It is better to listen than it is to give opinion. If a client tells you something that makes you feel uncomfortable, then you have every right to cut the conversation short and say, ‘I’m not qualified to deal with that. Have you spoke to your GP, a therapist, a friend or family member?’ “If a client shares dangerous or damaging information, you must urge them to contact the appropriate services and seek help. You can signpost and guide but avoid involvement and call 101 anonymously for advice if you need.”

TECH SUPPORT Both Hollie and Susan agree that training is key to ensure you are well equipped to manage challenging conversations. “As an employer, I think it is essential to give guidance to team members on how to handle oversharing from clients and how to support,” Susan shares. “The therapist must stay emotionally detached and never offer personal advice. The client must know that the knowledge they have entrusted is confidential and will go no further. It must never become staff room gossip or leave the salon surrounds.” Although, if a tech becomes privy to particularly dangerous or damaging information, for example domestic violence or crime, Susan advises having a standard salon resource at hand. Whether it be printed, digital or accessible on the business website, she suggests fiing it with useful helplines for various situations that you can give the client. “This way it takes the onus off the therapist to give unqualified comments, and also there is peace of mind that the client has been given the best contact details, leading to qualified help.”

Hollie adds: “So much focus is on skill-building, which is absolutely necessary, but I think we should also provide training on how to manage sensitive information and also being able to de-sensitise from it. Teaching diversion techniques to move away from political conversations, how to be diplomatic and how to avoid taking on client concerns will help. “We also need to ensure therapists feel supported by management to discuss if they feel they’ve heard something that’s worrying them or they don’t know how to handle a situation.” Not only can the mental health of techs be risked by oversharing clients, but attention focused on the client’s conversation could degrade the quality of the service. “Oversharing can distract the nail technician from the technical work or slow the service down, which can impact negatively on the rebooking and retail Liz McKeon process,” comments salon business expert, Liz McKeon. “The nail technician must develop the skills to manage the chat and not allow it to interfere with the service. “Develop the habit of 50% professional conversation about services available, your treatment programme and expertise, then allow the friendly conversation to happen.”

RESOURCES

Behind The Mask Behind The Mask is a 20-minute online training course launched by lash stylist, Julie Knight, to help hair and beauty professionals spot the signs that someone is experiencing domestic abuse and how to respond in the best way. www.behindthemask.online

Low Ears Founded by beauty industry and mental health ambassador, Sam Pearce, Low Ears provides education and support for mental health issues to those working in any customer service industry. Low Ears was born out of Sam’s frustration about the unspoken agreement that those who work in customer service roles are expected to be unqualified counsellors. She teaches the skill to put boundaries in place to safeguard you, your team and your clients. www.lowears.co.uk

Hair & Beauty Talk Launched by barber, Tom Chapman, Hair & Beauty Talk offers mental health training to help hair and beauty professionals recognise signs of struggle amongst clients. The four-hour training, available on demand, helps hair and beauty pros ask questions that give those in need the opportunity to talk in a safe environment. It also gives skills to listen with empathy and without judgement – as well as the information to assist those in need finding the right help. www.thelionsbarbercollective.com/barbertalk

VTCT Mental Health Awareness Qualifications VTCT believes in an industry that recognises the importance of its workforce’s mental wellbeing and has launched the VTCT (ITEC) Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness and the Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness to support this. These qualifications facilitate the learner’s understanding of mental health issues and how to assist someone developing or experiencing problems. www.vtct.org.uk/mental-health-awareness

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 85

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

STYLE WITH

e i d a S

‘ Creative nail expert & content creator for TGB & Peacci, SADIE JORDAN, shares on-trend nail styles, tips & step-by-steps

Fix up, look sharp: How to create sharper nail art styles

ail art precision is important, particularly when creating character art. Here are my top tips to help brush up your nail art game:

• Wipe away the tacky layer of your cured gel polish base shade before you start painting your nail art in order to achieve cleaner, sharper lines and prevent bleeding. • Gently buff the base colour and brush away dust to achieve a paper-like surface for painting. • Use a liner brush when creating long, straight lines or swirls and opt for a shorter, finely pointed detail brush when painting more complex and intricate shapes. • Evenly coat the entire length of your nail art brush for more fluid line work – not just the tip. • Use a clean detail brush to manipulate the gel polish that is already on the nail for more precision when creating intricate designs. • Don’t load too much product onto your brush as it will be more difficult to control. It’s easier and tidier to add more product, rather than take some away.

Follow Sadie:

@sadiejnails

The GelBottle Inc products are available via www.thegelbottle.com /thegelbottleinc

@the_gelbottle_inc

/TheGelBottleInc

LOVELY IN LACE

Here are some other lace-inspired designs that I have created for TGB that are perfect for bridal looks. See the Reels tab on @the_gelbottle_inc Instagram account for videos of each creation process.

86 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

STEP-BY-STEP: Frosted filigree nails Many brides opt for a clean and simple French for their big day, but what look would a nail artist choose? I’ve always said that if I get married, my nails will be my ‘something blue’. I love pastel, powdery sky blues and, in true @sadiejnails fashion, I’d have to incorporate some detailed nail art. So for this month’s step-by-step, I decided to design my very own bridal nails! 1. Apply TGB’s Forget Me Not to the bottom two thirds of the nail and TGB’s 2in1 Base Coat to the top third. 2. Using the TGB Ombré Brush, blend the blue shade into the base coat up and down, then side to side. Cure, and repeat if desired. 3. Using TGB’s Daisy shade and the TGB Detail Brush, paint a half moon at the base of the nail and add some swirls, leaf shapes and more swirls extending towards the tip. Cure and apply TGB’s Matte Top Coat. 4. Use TGB’s BIAB™ in White with the TGB Detail Brush to paint details onto the leaves and florals to add texture. Flash cure throughout to avoid spread of the product. 5. Wipe the cured BIAB™ to remove the inhibition layer. I’ve been thinking about this design for a while, and I had so much fun turning it into reality. Never be scared to try a new design idea, as the trial and error process is how new trends are born.

SCOTLAND’S LARGEST HAIR & BEAUTY TRADE EVENT RETURNS 12th & 13th June 2022

SEC, Glasgow

We can’t wait for you to join us on Sunday 12th and Monday 13th June at the SEC, Glasgow! INCLUDES FREE (WORTH OVER £50 RRP)

OR £10 VOUCHER

3 shows under 1 roof – Scottish Beauty, Scottish Hair & Scottish Barber Demos on the Warpaint Extra Makeup Stage, Trends Masterclass & Hair & Barber Stages NEW make-up section Scottish Hair & Beauty will provide the ultimate trade exhibition experience, packed with inspiring demos and tutorials, and the chance to meet with like-minded professionals.

YOUR £10 ENTRANCE TICKET INCLUDES: Ticket Option 1

Ticket Option 2

INCLUDES A £10 VOUCHER TO SPEND AT THE SHOW

INCLUDES AN AMAZING GOODY BAG WORTH OVER £50 RRP

You’ll find £1,000s of special offers from well-loved and upcoming brands. Plus, we’re excited to announce the launch of a dedicated make-up section, giving you the opportunity to meet leading exhibitors, and watch the latest techniques.

Plus, more to be announced! ScottishBeautyShow

ScotBeautyShow

Scottishhairandbeautyshow

LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW

ScottishHairandBeautyShow.com

NAILCOMPETITION

MEET THE

! s r e n n i w Explore the champions of Nailympia Online’s second edition, which saw techs contend across 13 categories & three divisions under the eyes of 42 international judges ALEX FOX REPORTS

he second edition of Nailympia Online was open for registration and submissions between August 2021 and January 2022, attracting 407 entries from 170 competitors across 32 countries.

Nailympia was brought into the UK for the first time in May 2005 at the Olympia Beauty exhibition in London and has since been hosted 15 times in London, with international versions held in Australia, Estonia, Canada, USA and Mexico. This year will see its first live event in Germany at Beauty Düsseldorf. During the pandemic, the live competitions were unable to run and therefore moved to an online version – of which two have now been successfully held.

OVERALL INDIVIDUAL TOP SCORER Mino Vo – UK – 630 points

DIVISION 4: 5-SHAPE CHALLENGE CHAMPION 1st – Genki itou – 289/360 points – Japan 2nd – Ágnes Mojoros – 270/360 points – Hungary 3rd – Erika Nortier – 250/360 points – Italy

“To be able to host Nailympia while the world moved in and out of lockdowns was a blessing,” remarks Alex Fox, global director of Nailympia Competitions. “The online events are hosted through a website portal that can take registrations and submissions. For this second online event, the 42 judges around the world could access and score these entries against various criteria. “After the scores were tallied, the awards presentation took place via Facebook Live and was recorded, so competitors could watch regardless of time zone. This exciting technology has allowed Nailympia to keep up its momentum, remain a powerful motivating aspect to the industry and be the creative outlet that both stretches and excites thirsty nail artists.” Alex notes, “The judging panel has grown over the years to present the widest possible berth of nail experts from around the globe. To keep it level, balanced and fair, the panel is forever changing, so that as many experts as possible are utilised. This keeps Nailympia non-biased and top of its game. I’m so grateful to each and every judge that gives up their free time to help support and make this competition brand great.”

88 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

ART WINNER OF WINNERS Division 1 Jacqueline McClement – Canada

ART WINNER OF WINNERS Division 2 Paulina Mucha – UK

ART WINNER OF WINNERS Division 3 Erika Nortier – Italy

WINNER OF WINNERS Division 1 Brigitta Fajt – Hungary

WINNER OF WINNERS Division 2 Gosha Walczak – UK

WINNER OF WINNERS Division 3 Mino Vo – UK

NAILCOMPETITION

POSTER EXTREME NAILS & FACE Division 1

Division 2

1st Sabina Zsemlyeova – Slovakia 2nd Irina Smetanova – Russia 3rd Iana Belugina – Russia

Division 3

1st Viktória Kiss – Hungary 2nd Nóra Kovács – Hungary 3rd Regina Sztancs – Hungary 1st Anna Grishankova – Russia 2nd Melinda Tamás – Hungary 3rd Ralitsa Kirilova Georgieva – Bulgaria

POSTER – MANICURE Division 1

Division 2

1st Ivett Varga – Hungary 2nd Mariya Doronina – Russia 3rd Janne Vörk – Estonia

1st Victória Kiss – Hungary 2nd Veronika Golitsyna – Russia 3rd Sabrina Bouhri – Italy

Division 3

1st Melinda Tamás – Hungary 2nd Éva Guczuly – Romania 3rd Annamaria Wieszt – Germany

POSTER – PEDICURE Division 1

Division 2

1st Mariya Doronina – Russia 2nd Viktória Motuz – Hungary 3rd Adrienn Barta – Hungary

1st Danielle Currie – UK 2nd Jenny Miller – UK 3rd Aleksandra Drozdz – Ireland

Division 3

1st Melinda Tamás – Hungary 2nd Christina Sorsby – UK 3rd Julia Makarova – Russia

Nailympia Online 2nd Edition was sponsored by Mirage Spa Education, an online learning platform dedicated to the nail & beauty industry. www.miragespa.ca

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 89

NAILCOMPETITION

GEL POLISH Division 1

1st Adrienn Musa-Kiss – Hungary 2nd Jiak Hing – UK 3rd Mariya Doronina – Russia

Division 2

1st Paulina Mucha – UK 2nd Aleksandra Drozdz – Ireland 3rd Giusy Napoli – Italy

Division 3

1st Laura Családi – Hungary , 2nd Izabela Golunska – Poland 3rd Katarzyna Warmuz – Poland

DESIGN NAILS FOR AN ALBUM COVER: Soul Train Division 1

1st Ildikó Köntös – Hungary 2nd Petra Szabo – Hungary 3rd Michelle van Blommestein – Australia

Division 2

1st Paulina Mucha – UK 2nd Kotome Jeffries – UK 3rd Kimberly Reid – UK

Division 3

1st Erika Nortier – Italy 2nd Lucie Kovarïkova – Czech Republic 3rd Laura Családi – Hungary

NIGHTLIFE: Black & Gold with Matte & Gloss Division 1

1st Petra Szabo – Hungary 2nd Mariya Doronina – Russia 3rd Sabina Zsemlyeova – Slovakia

Division 2

1st Danielle Currie – UK 2nd Giusy Napoli – Italy 3rd Paulina Mucha – UK

Division 3

1st Ania Kesiak – UK 2nd Erika Nortier – Italy 3rd Jade Barber – UK

INVENT A NAIL SHAPE: In a peacock colour palette Division 1

1st Giulia Candido – Italy 2nd Duy Le – Canada 3rd Thanh Ha – UK 90 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Division 2

1st Georgina Takacs – UK 2nd Aurelija Illingworth – UK 3rd Gosha Walczak – UK

Division 3

1st Lucie Kovarikova – Czech Republic 2nd Andrea Lippné Kreisz – Hungary 3rd Robert Klonowski – Poland

NAILCOMPETITION

ART ON NAILS MORE THAN 1 INCH – Futuristic Division 1

Division 2

1st Jacqueline McClement – Canada 2nd Emese Balog – Hungary 3rd Marika Dimitrovska – UK

1st Gosha Walczak – UK 2nd Paulina Mucha – UK

Division 3

1st Mino Vo – UK 2nd Andrea Lippné Kreisz – Hungary 3rd Alicia Cespedes – Paraguay

ART ON NAILS MORE THAN 2 INCHES – Geodes Division 1

Division 2

1st Jacqueline McClement – Canada 2nd Anzhela Barinova – Russia 3rd Orsolya Sipos – Hungary

1st Mel Sheri – France 2nd Veronika Golitsyna – Russia 3rd Gosha Walczak – UK

Division 3

1st Genki Itou – Japan 2nd Scarlett Senter – UK 3rd Katarzyna Warmuz – Poland

THE JOY OF NAILS WITH BLING! Division 1

1st Giulia Candido – Italy 2nd Brigitta Fajt – Hungary 3rd Marika Dimitrovska – UK

Division 2

1st Giusy Napoli – Italy 2nd Gosha Walczak – UK 3rd Agata Galati – Italy

Division 3

1st Mino Vo – UK 2nd Kayley Cairns – UK 3rd Loi Nguyen – UK SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 91

NAILCOMPETITION

STYLE FOR A5 MARKETING CARD Division 1

Division 2

1st Dániel Rónyai – Hungary 2nd Mariya Doronina – Russia 3rd Anzhela Barinova – Russia

1st Paulina Mucha – UK 2nd Danielle Currie – UK 3rd Nóra Kovács – Hungary

Division 3

1st Edina Kósa-Mezei – Hungary 2nd Katarzyna Warmuz – Poland 3rd Julia Makarova – Russia

FLAT ART: Pop Art Division 1

Division 2

1st Nita Avalos – Finland 2nd Anna Lorna – USA 3rd Kirsty Manvell – UK

1st Gemma Dawson – UK 2nd Viktória Kiss – Hungary 3rd Charisse Cassie – UK

Division 3

1st Tan Adams – UK 2nd Hong Luu – UK 3rd Yuki Uzelac – Japan

MIXED MEDIA DESIGN: Open theme Division 1

Division 2

1st Donna Jones – UK 2nd Paulina Mucha – UK 3rd Kotome Jeffries – UK

Division 3

1st Serena Scarano – Italy 2nd Claire Wheeler – UK 3rd Monika Grenda – Poland

Meet the judges: Nailympia Online 2nd edition

1st Danielle Price – UK & Kim Jones – UK 2nd Nancy Okon – USA 3rd Candida de Lange – South Africa 92 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Marian Newman, Georgie Smedley, Samantha Sweet, Antony Buckley, Sabrina Malik, Sam Biddle, Denise Wright and Kirsty Meakin (all UK). Anneke van der Sar (Netherlands), Natalie Hofman (Switzerland), Jeanette Ulriksen (Denmark), Celina Rydèn (Sweden), Max Braga (Italy), Guin Deadman (USA), Lulu Desfassiaux (Mexico), Milena Mingozzi (Italy), Alina Irinoiu (Italy), Mirka Poikkeus (Finland), Genevieve Bresil (France), Mashid Hosseini (Iran/Turkey), Beth Livesay (USA), Rachel Stevens (New Zealand), Amanda Niarhos (Australia), Myrdith Leon McCormack (USA), Kelly Melanitou (Greece), Ilona Kricka (Latvia/UK), Gergana Bangeeva (Bulgaria), Elaine Watson (USA), Akira Laccio (Japan), Alisha Rimando (USA), Krasimira Petrova (Bulgaria/Austria), Morgan Haile (USA), Zrinka Vuksan (Croatia/Canada), Vitaly Solomonoff (USA), Sergie Korchagin (USA), Jan Arnold (USA), Anna Shmulina (Russia), Cheryl Thibault (Canada), Giselle Caballero (Mexico/Canada), Steffi LoRe (Germany), Joanna Bandurska (Poland), Bojana Kostka (Serbia). Keep up-to-date with news of upcoming Nailympia Competitions via www.nailympia.com /Nailympia @nailympiacompetitions

Nailympia ®

1 - 3 October 2022 Olympia Beauty, London

COMPETITION

LONDON 2022

Registration opens soon! Use the code SCRATCH10 when you register to save 10% on your entry before 30.06.22

www.nailympia.com PROUDLY SPONSORED BY:

@nailympiacompetitions @nailympia @nailympia

Secure your place or find out more here: JOIN US AT OUR OTHER LOCATIONS THIS YEAR:

Nails by @kirstymeakin - UK

il i il i Nailympia Nailympia il mp m i Nailympia ®

GERMANY 2022

ORLANDO 2022

6-8 May 2022 Beauty Düsseldorf

5-6 June 2022 Premiere Orlando

COMPETITION

MEXICO

2022

3-4 December 2022 Expo Reforma, Mexico City

w w w. n a i l y mpi a . c om

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

Steps

SUSTAINABILITY The BBCo’s Sustainable Beauty Coalition committee members share industry news & guidance to support eco efforts

About Victoria Brownlie Chief policy officer at the British Beauty Council

Victoria Brownlie has over 15 years’ experience influencing government policy and lobbying on issues from animal welfare and local government to the construction sector and business. During the pandemic, she was instrumental in securing vital financial support and relief for the personal care sector, working with governments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that salons and brands had businesses to return to as the pandemic eased.

Within her remit at the British Beauty Council, Victoria champions the sector for the role it has in the race to net zero, STEM, careers, and the future of the UK’s position in the world as a positive trading partner. She continues to highlight the beauty industry within the political consciousness as the driven, entrepreneurial, world-leading and dynamic sector it is, and those within it whose careers are dedicated to making people feel like the best versions of themselves.

The race to net zero: a mountain or a molehill?

attended COP26 last November and was surrounded by like-minded individuals, all focused on working towards a truly sustainable future. I felt that we could achieve anything we put our minds to. However, talking to friends, colleagues and business owners in the months since the event, it is clear that there is a real disconnect between where world leaders, governments, NGOs and big businesses see the challenges, compared to the average person on the street, small salon owner or self-employed worker. This is not to say any one of these groups are at fault, however while the average person is aware that we are approaching a global crisis, few understand how they can make a difference to turn the situation around. No one has been able to keep it simple, mainly because the topic itself is so complicated. Is plastic the enemy? Should I just stop using products with palm oil? Is recycling the key to everything? How do I know if the products I use are harming the environment? Are there environmentally friendly alternatives of the same quality? As highlighted in last month’s column, the British Beauty

Download a free copy of the Planet Positive Beauty Guide for you, your business and your customers by scanning here

94 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Council’s Planet Positive Beauty Guide can help demystify some of these questions. But what about how you are working right now? Where do salons or individual freelancers start in order to evaluate the impact of their business on the environment – and how to reduce it? The SME Climate Hub is a UN-backed initiative, working with small and mediumsized businesses in the Race to Zero. Its aim is to help businesses reduce their carbon emissions by offering tools and resources to help SMEs take concrete steps towards climate action. These include: 1. Committing and setting a target to reducing carbon emissions 2. Measuring and reporting emissions 3. Building a business strategy 4. Reducing your own emissions 5. Reducing your supply chain emissions Start asking questions. Ask your suppliers how they are reducing their emissions, as this could prompt them to take action. Try having a conversation about reducing environmental impact with each of your suppliers at least once in the next three months. While the journey to net zero emissions can seem overwhelming, we all need to recognise that we will only make progress if everyone gets involved. After all, 90% of the world’s businesses are considered small and medium enterprises. We, as an overwhelmingly SME industry, must therefore be part of the solution. By signing up to the SME Climate Hub pledge, it demonstrates that we as an

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

“A common misconception is that being more sustainable is expensive, and that this is a particular barrier as businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic.” industry are committed to adapting not only our personal habits, but also our business practices as part of the race to net-zero. This is especially important when it comes to our client base; as shown in the British Beauty Council’s 2020 Courage to Change Report, which highlighted that 90% of Gen Z consumers expect businesses to do more to help reduce climate impact and improve the state of the world. A common misconception is that being more sustainable is expensive, and that this is a particular barrier as businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic. However, small businesses that choose to invest in reducing their emissions can see numerous short and long-term business advantages, including: • Improved efficiency and reduced operating costs • Lower business risk in the future

• Enhanced access to capital and affordable insurance • More robust supply chains I encourage you to take a look at the SME Climate Hub and consider how you can take steps to reduce your impact on the planet, both personally and as a business. You can also sign up for updates from the Sustainable Beauty Coalition (SBC), which include interesting articles and case studies from businesses taking their own journeys towards sustainability. As was the intention of COP26 and is highlighted by the work of the SBC, sharing the burden on this issue will be the key to its success. Start talking with friends and colleagues, other salon owners and technicians and see where you can help each other. Normalise these conversations, share ideas, initiatives and successes, so that we can really start turning this mountain into a molehill.

Keep up-to-date with sustainable news in the industry and the work of the Sustainable Beauty Coalition by subscribing to SBC News at www.britishbeautycouncil.com/sustainable-beauty-coalition @sustainablebeautycoalition @_sbcofficial

PURPOSE OF THE SBC The Sustainable Beauty Coalition exists to: • Actively encourage and strengthen one collective industry voice to accelerate collaboration, knowledge and bolder collective efforts. • Create stronger frameworks and policies for the beauty sector in the UK with sustainability and green credentials as a central focus. • Proactively collaborate with other bodies to coordinate and accelerate the beauty industry’s response to sustainability. • Develop and implement a clear strategy, roadmap and initiatives to accelerate our climate-positive impact. • Champion the Green Economy and Green Recovery utilising existing and potential networks. • Champion the work of the industry and secure government support for further green initiatives. • Work with the government towards its ‘net zero by 2050’ commitment. • Elevate our work on an international level utilising global contacts, brands and events such as COP26. • Monitor the progress of the British Beauty Council roadmap against the SBC’s framework and keep these goals and the overall execution of initiatives under review.

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 95

BUSINESSMATTERS

Ensure you’re Are you operating your nail business from a garage, cabin or space in your home? CALLIE ILEY explores insurance essentials to make sure your needs are covered

DAVE HORTON’S TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING AN INSURANCE POLICY 1. Check if the policy is claims occurring In my opinion, you should steer clear of ‘claims made’ wordings for the industry, as they tend not to give you long-term protection after you stop the policy. 2. Ensure the policy fits what you need as a nail tech Verify that the package includes Treatments Risk or Medical Malpractice Insurance as well as Professional Liability Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, and Product Liability Insurance. 3. Be aware of extra information Check that you are aware of exclusions, claims excesses, patch test requirements, extra charges and endorsements. 4. Make sure you can make changes and expand your policy It’s important that you can add new treatments to the policy as your skills grow. E: info@abtinsurance.co.uk www.abtinsurance.co.uk /AssociatedBeautyInsurance @abtinsurance

insured

pproximately 40% of selfemployed workers in the beauty industry have ‘home salons’* – a statistic that boomed as a knock-on effect of the pandemic. Much like choosing a nail brand, it can be overwhelming to decipher which insurance policy is best for your business and covers needs for home-based beauty workers. “There are a number of insurance providers offering cover for those working in our sector, and I suggest using a company that is a specialist in hair and beauty insurance and understands what you do,” comments Dave Horton, director of ABT Insurance. “It’s also important that you choose the right policy for you. Don’t underestimate the amount of insurance cover you will need. For example, ABT’s policies include £6 million each of Professional Liability

Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, Product Liability Insurance and Medical Malpractice/Treatment Risk Insurance. “Whether you’re seeing one client a week or 50, you need insurance to protect yourself and your business. Spending a few pounds a year could save you hundreds of thousands in the long-run. As a nail tech, you are working within a professional field and being paid for your services, regardless of where you work – be that at home, in the salon or spa, or mobile. “If you cause injury to a client or damage to their property accidentally, you would still be liable. Imagine spilling your nail polish over a client’s designer handbag; could you afford to replace it? What’s more, should a complaint be made against you, insurers can offer support and advice,” Dave continues. “Whichever insurance provider you choose, check the policy wording and small print before you commit.”

“Whether you’re seeing one client a week or 50, you need insurance to protect yourself and your business.”

TECH TALK Rebecca Evans runs Gel Nails by Becca from her home on the Isle of Wight. “When searching for appropriate insurance, I considered providers that had a good selection of add-ons. My insurance covers me for all my needs – I went a bit click happy and added just about every protection that was on offer,” she smiles. “I also contacted my local council to explain my situation and ask whether any further cover was needed. “Having the correct insurance policy is so important – as you will not be able to carry out your work safely or ethically without it. It’s also important from a client’s perspective, as it will give them confidence to know that you are fully insured and qualified to treat them,” Rebecca notes. “Don’t rush into the first policy you see. Shop around, do your reading and research. Jot down what you want from your insurance, what extras if any you might want, and go with the company that is right for you and your business.” /gelnailsbybecca

@gelnailsbybecca

*Self-Employment in the Personal Care Sector Report

96 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

TECHTALK

Overcoming Obstacles New Zealand nail artist, ALEXANDRA PARKINSON, gives an insight into her hidden illness & how she overcomes daily challenges to forge a successful business from home

I “

’m not just an artist, I’m a heartist!” exclaims Alexandra Parkinson, an Auckland-based nail pro who’s been working in the industry since 2015. “Working hand to hand with someone is a beautiful way to make a connection, and I love that my job allows me to do that.”

The passionate pro, who describes herself as honest and creative, says that the best aspect of her job is the bond she forms with her clients. “I want each client to feel special, valued, cared for and heard; not just when it comes to what they want on their nails, but in everything they share at the nail desk. “Of course, a great mani or pedi is the goal, but clients remember the overall experience of a nail appointment. I want them to really enjoy their time with me, and for them to feel joy whenever they look at their nails.” Alexandra’s attitude towards the nail experience has meant that all of her pre-pandemic clients have returned to regular bookings. However, a number of challenges have meant that she keeps her client roster concise. “I got my first salon job in 2015 and loved working in such a busy, energetic environment. However, in 2016 I had to make some big changes to my lifestyle, and therefore my career,” Alexandra explains. “My mother had started to show signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and as an only child, I was her sole support. “I tried various part-time roles in nails,” she continues. “By the end of 2019, I knew that juggling long days with commuting and caring for my mum was no longer sustainable.” Longing to maintain the role she loves, Alexandra worked as a mobile nail technician before setting up her home-based nail studio.

98 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

The invisible illnesses “I am blessed to work in a career that is flexible to suit my changing needs,” reveals Alexandra, who fits her role as a nail pro around caring for her mother on a full-time basis. However, the challenges to her career don’t stop there. “I have hidden disabilities, which aren’t visibly noticeable but impact my work and quality of life,” she admits. “I was born with hip dysplasia and have lived with worsening osteoarthritis in my hip since the age of 18. In addition to this, I struggled for many years with mysterious health issues, before finally being diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis – also known as chronic fatigue syndrome.” The ongoing condition, referred to as ME/CFS, is triggered by trauma, and often viral or bacterial infections. “It is a neuroimmune disorder that messes with the processes of the immune system and central nervous system, causing a wide range of issues,” Alexandra explains. “People with ME/CFS live with an unrelenting fatigue, akin to wearing a suit of concrete. Normal sleep cycles are disrupted, so the body struggles to restore itself properly, which can then lead to post-exertional malaise. This means that even low-level activity can worsen the symptoms of ME/CFS, and too much exertion can cause permanent damage.” Other symptoms of ME/CFS include muscle aches and joint pains, fibromyalgia, migraines and sensitivity to light and noise; all disruptive to a nail career. Working with the condition has its own

TECHTALK

hardships and has limited Alexandra’s workload – and the effects of the pandemic brought further disruption to her role. “The pandemic hit just after I launched my home business, so the timing couldn’t have been worse,” Alexandra reveals. “However, as an ME/CFS sufferer, it did give me a chance to stop, heal and breathe in a way that I don’t believe would have been possible in a prepandemic environment. I completed small projects around my nail studio and at home, and spent quality time with my mum.”

“I need to be really organised and prioritise well so that my stress levels stay manageable and my home responsibilities don’t suffer.” to watch others receive promotions ahead of me,

Covid-19 also brought about a greater focus on Alexandra’s condition. “Before the pandemic, there was very little scientific recognition or attention given to ME/CFS and sadly, many sufferers have been treated as though it is an illness of the mind. However, research by the US National Institutes of Health has found that 10-35% of those that catch Covid-19 may see long-term changes in physiology, which bear remarkable similarities to ME/CFS. I hope that this will lead to a wider acceptance and understanding of the condition.”

Impact & achievements Alexandra’s ME/CFS falls within a moderate range, but she needs to carefully consider every activity to avoid worsening her condition. “I need to be really organised and prioritise well so that my stress levels stay manageable and my home responsibilities don’t suffer,” she reveals. “I am lucky that I was able to set up my home studio at a time when my health was considerably better, and the studio space means I can work around my own health needs.” Alexandra works three days a week; not consecutively, and praises her clients for their understanding and support. “Being a nail technician with invisible health conditions is difficult. In a salon, you may face not being believed by your employers and colleagues and push yourself to meet the needs of your clients, which could then result in a ‘crash’ and detrimental health effects. My illness has meant that I have had

however my role in nails means I can manage my own hours, and engage with the nail world at my own pace.” The inspiring technician utlilised the slow pace of the pandemic to enter her first national contest; the New Zealand Nail Competition 2021, and scooped a bronze medal in the Traditional Gel Manicure heat, and gold medals in both the Photographic and Stamping Art categories. “Entering the competition is probably something I wouldn’t have managed under normal circumstances, with a regular workload, but I challenged myself to give the competition a go and I am extremely proud of my achievements. In the same year, I also had a total hip joint replacement. I am now bionic!” she smiles. Alexandra currently focuses on her career one day at a time, allowing her health and her mum’s health to be prioritised. But it’s a true testament to her passion, skill and commitment to others that sees her clients willing to work around her needs. “My first employer believed in beauty without compromise, and it’s a principle I align with to this day – albeit with adaptations.” Follow Alexandra: /studioajp @studioajp & @alexandranailartist For more information about ME/CFS and long Covid, visit www.nhs.uk and www.longcovid.org SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 99

BUSINESSMATTERS

Experts ASK THE

Scratch pitches your pressing questions to those in-the-know…

Q: How can I respond professionally if a client complains about their nail or beauty service? LIZ MCKEON Salon business expert

A complaint happens when a client feels strongly enough that their expectations have not been met, then brings it to the attention of the business and expects some redress. This will likely be more value than the original service or product that was the cause of the complaint.

www.lizmckeon.com /liz.mckeon.9 @lizmckeonbizliz

‘Service recovery’ is what we do when things go wrong. Once a client’s problem has been identified, the recovery process must begin immediately, following these six steps:

Empathise

Apologise

Offering an apology, regardless of how you feel or what you can do about the situation, will alleviate some of the stress that the client is feeling.

Take responsibility

If the mistake has been made by a member of your staff, take full responsibility and assist the client so that their problem is solved.

Agree on a settlement

The hard part is the settlement of the complaint, and you will have to do some work here. Since you are going to lose something, the degree of loss is up to you. It is likely you will end up giving away product, a treatment, or offering a full refund.

Understand that before you contact the complaining client, this situation is not about you. Put yourself in the client’s shoes so that you can get a better understanding of their perspective. Reassure them that you care, understand and are listening to them.

You and your client have lost regardless, but you owe it to yourself and your salon to salvage some type of relationship. Try to agree on an equitable solution, where hopefully you will still retain that client for life, thus adding to your bottom line in business.

Show respect

Staying calm sends a message that you have respect for them, and it can be difficult to do this when you have an angry client. Remember, their anger is not about you. They are upset about their situation and are taking it out on you.

“Put yourself in the client’s shoes so that you can get a better understanding of their perspective. Reassure them that you care, understand and are listening to them.” 100 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Appropriate follow-up action Send a letter of apology or make a phone call to make sure the problem has been rectified. Remember, the client may not always be right, but the client is always the client!

BUSINESSMATTERS

“It is not always an individual’s fault when a problem arises, so it doesn’t need to be about who is to blame and not to blame. Instead, it needs to be about how it is resolved.” EMMA PRESCOTT Georgie Smedley Group educator

www.gsgroupuk.com /EmmaCheshireNailAcademy @emma_nailtraining_cheshire

Consider the situation with a business mindset, not a personal one, and look at the facts. It is easy to take complaints personally but that isn’t the way to deal with a situation. It is not always an individual’s fault when a problem arises, so it doesn’t need to be about who is, and who isn’t to blame. Instead, it needs to be about how it is resolved, so this is what you need to work on.

Avoid being overly apologetic

Too many apologies show a lack of confidence and can become irritating for the client. They don’t want a long conversation about how devastated you are that they are unhappy – they just want a solution to the problem.

Avoid being confrontational

Even if the client is in the wrong, an argument in business is never good! Never swear; this is unacceptable, no matter what and who you are dealing with. You must consider your business reputation at all times.

Preparation is key

It is a good idea to write down or think about what customers are most likely to complain about, and then compile

a response to each scenario, as we are usually caught offguard when we receive a complaint. Some of the most common client issues are that they dislike the nail colour they chose, the nails are too long, they don’t look like the picture they showed you, there is a break, lifting or a reaction to the coating applied.

Acknowledge ASAP

If the client sends you a message, reply instantly, acknowledging that you have seen the customer’s comment. Say that their experience is very important to you and you will reply to them in further detail shortly. This avoids hasty replies and gives you time to compile what you are going to say, but also allows the customer to feel heard and seen as no one likes to feel ignored. This will usually instantly calm the customer, who may feel anxious or angry about the need to complain. Ask the client to revisit the salon to rectify the problem as soon as possible.

Use social media to your advantage

Social media groups are fantastic for help with complaints. You can use the search functions on nail pages for ‘complaints’ and read the comments to see how others have handled it. Ignore every offensive comment as this is never acceptable, but have a search for the detailed, helpful ones.

Stay friendly & professional

Remember that it is all a learning curve, but always keep your tone of voice professional.

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 101

£6 Million Professional, Public & Product Liability

Personalised Membership Portal Your very own personalised membership

portal where you can climb from blue to beyond and earn points and rewards along the way. A safe place where you can check your insurance details and documentation and it is here you can utilise our ‘Find the Nearest’ marketing tools as well.

www.abtinsurance.co.uk / 01789 773 573

ABT is the UK’s leading membership & insurance provider representing over 18,000 members Including Including Treatment Treatment Risk Risk Insurance Insurance Provided Provided by by Zurich Zurich Insurance Insurance plc plc

Membership MembershipHelpline Helpline IfIfyou youhave haveany anyqueries queriesregarding regardingdelivery delivery of ofour ourservices servicesplease pleasedo donot nothesitate hesitateto to contact contactus uson on01789 01789773573 773573 or orlive livechat chatat atwww.abtinsurance.co.uk www.abtinsurance.co.uk or oremail email info@abtinsurance.co.uk info@abtinsurance.co.uk Our Ouroffice officeisisopen open Monday Mondayto toFriday, Friday,9am 9am––5pm 5pm and andwe welook lookforward forwardto tohelping helpingyou. you.

The Theannual annualprint printsubscription subscriptionto tothe theUK’s UK’sleading leadingnail nail magazine magazineisisavailable availableto toNails, Nails,Tanning Tanning&&Make-Up Make-Up insurance insurancecustomers customersfor forFREE FREE(worth (worth£39). £39).For Forall allother other membership membershipcategories categorieswho whoare arehuge hugefans fansof ofScratch Scratch magazine magazinejust justlike likewe weare, are,you youare areable ableto toget getyour your hands handson onthis thisindustry industryleading leadingmagazine magazineby bygetting gettingaa printed printedcopy copyof ofthe themagazine magazineat atan anABT ABTdiscounted discounted rate rateof ofjust just£19.50 £19.50which whichisishalf halfprice! price!(RRP (RRP£39). £39).When When taking takingout outyour yourinsurance insuranceit’s it’savailable availableto toadd addvery very easily easilyat atour ourcheckout! checkout!

DAS DASLegal LegalAdvice Advice

Industry-Specific Industry-Specific Insurance Insurance

Worldwide WorldwideCover Cover

Free FreeWeb WebListing Listing

We Weare areIn InTouch Touch Beautyandhairdressing.co.uk Beautyandhairdressing.co.uk We Weare are‘In ‘InTouch’ Touch’with withyou youthrough, through, Beautyandhairdressing.co.uk Beautyandhairdressing.co.ukABT’s ABT’sunique uniquemembership membership website websitethat thatdelivers deliversup upto todate dateBeauty, Beauty,Hairdressing, Hairdressing, Industry Industryand andLifestyle Lifestylenews. news.With Withour ourdesignated designated member memberarea areaoffering offeringtailored tailoredbenefits, benefits,discount discountand and unique uniquecontent contentas aswell wellas asfree freesalon salonsignage signageand andABTs ABTs Guide Guideto toCOVID-19 COVID-19we weare arekeeping keepingyou youup upto todate datewith with ABT’s ABT’sstance stanceon onindustry industrytopics topicsas asthey theyhappen happensuch such as, as,patch patchtesting testingafter afterCOVID-19, COVID-19,The TheImportance Importanceof of Consultation ConsultationCards, Cards,Track Trackand andTrace Traceand andAAGuide Guideto to Salon SalonSafety, Safety,plus plusmuch muchmore morewith withstep stepby bystep stepguides guides to tothe thelatest latestnail nailtrends trendsand andproducts productsthat thatare areavailable available for forthe theseason, season,as aswell wellas asexpert expertadvice adviceififyou youare are looking lookingto todiversify diversifyyour yourtreatment treatmentmenu. menu.

Beauty Beauty||Hair Hair||Complementary Complementary||Nails, Nails,Tanning Tanning&&Make-Up Make-Up||Salon Salon Full FullDetails, Details,Terms Termsof ofBusiness, Business,Application ApplicationForms, Forms,Policy PolicyWording Wordingand andExplanatory ExplanatoryDocuments Documentsare areavailable availableto toview viewonline onlineat atthe thewebsite websiteaddress address

NA I L s g n i p Clip SCRATCHMEDIA

CELEB MANI SPOT!

Instagram.co

m/nailnao_la

Since entry closed for the 2022 Scratch Stars Awards, we’ve been getting in the mood for the Scratch Stars Party – and disco ball manicures are topping our list!

m/imarninail

...

Instagram.co

❤

CHLOE RANDALL surfs the ‘net to uncover the hottest nail topics & tales on social media sites & get the scoop on celebrity beauty must-haves

The GelBottle Inc’s BIAB in Teddy £16.99 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

m.com/b

eautopia

Instagra

_serena

m.com

/tomb

achik

Instagra

m.com

/nails_

of_la

@imarninails created a stunning chevron style manicure for singer, Paloma Faith, using The GelBottle Inc’s Teddy BIAB and Jet Black shade.

Instagra

Green for good luck

Flower power

Instagram.co

m/stephie_n

ails

US base d man -icu rist and JLo’ s go-t o tech , Tom Bac hik, crea ted a flora l boh emi an nail look for the actr ess/ sing er feat urin g tiny drie d flow ers in oran ge, pink and yello w.

Actress, Megan Fox, who is engaged to founder of UND LAQR, Machine Gun Kelly, sported an eye-catching neon green manicure for a date to the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. Created by Brittney Boyce, Megan opted for long, almond shaped nails.

104 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

TEQUILA TALONS

A video on Instagram by @nail_sunny showing a nail artist using a toasted tortilla wrap, coriander and a glass of tequila has gone viral. We’ll stick with classic nail services! Scan here to watch the video

SCRATCHMEDIA

.com/lavi

shnailsss

Instagram

.com/brit

neyspear

BBC Radio 1 presenter, Vick Hope, showed off a deep blue nail look for the GQ Car Awards courtesy of @lavishnailsss.

Instagram

WHAT A CHARMER!

RED CARPET READY!

.com/car

asoin

Daisy Ridley

Simone Ashley

Léa Seydoux

MATCHY MATCHY

The hottest nail trend in the celebrity world is to match a manicure to jewellery.

nguyen8

Selena Gomez showcases a green nail style by Tom Bachik to match her sparkly emerald ring.

Elle Gerstein created mini-moon nail art using shades of baby pink and soft brown for actress, Blake Lively, to complement her pink diamond and gemstone bracelet.

.com/sawe Instagram

melle .com/ena Instagram

Instagra

m.com/t

ombachi

etie

m.com/jc Instagra

Instagram

In the lead up to last month’s BAFTAs, CACI Beauty hosted a week-long pop up event with Hollywood day spa, Carasoin of Beverly Hills, at London’s Corinthia Hotel. During the week, CACI Synergy was used to help prep the faces of BAFTA nominees and presenters including Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley, Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley and James Bond’s Léa Seydoux. The treatment uses LED and microcurrent energy to stimulate tissue regeneration and the production of collagen.

Britney Spears took to Instagram to share her love for nail art, crediting nail art charms with helping her to explode ‘with conversation’ despite suffering with social anxiety. The singer posted a photo and video of ombré almond shaped enhancements, with her ring finger and pinky nails featuring a bow and butterfly decal respectively. In the accompanying text, she wrote that she used to visit a manicurist who had ‘the coolest embellishments…the most adorable little charms I’ve ever seen in my life.’ She went on to write: “I’ve felt ghosted most of my life… but if you feel somewhat not acknowledged enough in life or have confidence problems, I swear these charms do in fact change your perspective. “For instance, I never talk because I’m usually shy. I have social anxiety but the worst kind where it’s unbearable… but there’s hope! I looked at my hands, saw these charms and exploded with conversation.”

American rapper, Saweetie, showcased TGB’s Ivy shade following a visit to @customtnails1. SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 105

NAILDESIGNS

New York nail stylist, @beautopia_serena, dazzles with a curvy glitter and burgundy grid style for an on-trend, alternative French look.

This multi-coloured, disco dream manicure by @cdanails offers a spring/summer-friendly twist on the traditional checkerboard style.

Opposites attract in this contrasting brown and white design by @nailsbyhannahrose, which serves up subtlety and style.

Fingernails ngernails in Catch eyes & check out LILLY DELMAGE’S roundup of checkerboard nail designs; from monochromatic looks to funky multi-coloured finishes

Magpie Beauty educator, @nicolettesnails, chooses spring-friendly nail shades to create a colourful overlay for her client.

Smile! This punchy pink look serves up checkerboard nails as the centre of attention, with flames, smiley faces and a matte finish.

Focus

For clients looking to dip into grid designs, this black and white tipped design by @nailcreationsbyhazel serves up a chic nod to the trend.

Bright shades and black decals make for a bold style on stiletto shaped nails, courtesy of @pressedbytess.

We’re getting harlequin vibes from this diagonal Ready, set, go! Embrace a racing flag girl style checkerboard style by @realitybeautyxjane, with this electrifying design by @nailcandyshop, created using Glossify shades. which serves up major heat with flames and grids.

To be in with the chance of seeing your nail snaps on this page, share them with us on social media using #showscratch or email editorial@scratchmagazine.co.uk 106 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

S O M O R P R P A R A M

l Elite Nai o l a H Lamp s k s e D o l orms 100 F a H y Halo 9 +VAT ite n L .2 a 6 £ y Y u L VAT ON rd B ml + a 5 1 0 H 1 . d e l 5 i t i 3 ite Nail l u l £ E E B i Y o o l s L l a a N a H E O H ve a Kit i s l e a c Cuticle i r e o r T l a d rms 300 o H n F Gel a Halo cator 0 +VAT i 1 E d £ E a Y £15.29 R r L Y E F L N O ON 6 +VAT 0% d 8ml 4 l 5 . i 3 u E 1 B £ V i +VAT A s S Ea ONLY

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE IN ALL LEADING WHOLESALERS

FLAWLESS

NAILS AT LIGHT SPEED

THE SPEED OF APPLYING PRE-SHAPED FULL COVERAGE SOFT GEL TIPS

MODEL IS WEARING: Gelish® Soft Gel Tips in LONG STILETTO

can’t be beat, combined with the light speed curing of Gelish® Gel. You’ve never created nails with anything faster than this!

PRE-SHAPED WITH PRECISION, READY TO APPLY

BREAK RESISTANT STRENGTH FROM ARCH TO FREE EDGE WITH TIP TECHNOLOGY

FLEXI-FIT SOFT GEL FOR PERFECT SEAL

THE FASTEST AND MOST PROFESSIONAL NAIL ENHANCEMENTS EVER MADE

LONG STILETTO Item# 1168097 Made in Taiwan • Fabricado en Taiwán • Fabriqué à Taïwan © Nail Alliance - North America, Inc. • Brea, CA 92821 61-1168097-1 HM-12276-4

SNAG-FREE, THIN CUTICLE CONTACT AREA

550

FULL COVERAGE CLEAR SOFT GEL TIPS (50 OF 11 PERFECT FIT SIZES)

(50 DE 11 TAMAÑOS DE AJUSTE PERFECTO) (50 DES 11 TAILLES DE COUPE PARFAITES)

AVAILABLE AT

gsgroupuk.com Georgie Smedley Group Phone: 01708 465900 www.gsgroupuk.com | Email: info@gsgroupuk.com LONDON, HERTS & ESSEX 0800 014 8313 IRELAND 00353 1 4295122 SOUTH WEST UK 01300 348645

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE STYLES & PRODUCTS!