Scratch Magazine March 2021 by scratchmagazine

@overglowedit is a CHANCE TAKER

@laurenladnier is a SELF-LOVER

@imarninails is a RULE BREAKER

@thehangedit is a CHANGE SPARKER

@heartzeena is a MOVER & SHAKER

@mattxiv is a SMILE MAKER

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Issue 215 Editor-in-chief Alex Fox alex.fox@scratchmagazine.co.uk Publisher Scott Derbyshire scott.derbyshire@scratchmagazine.co.uk Managing editor Helena Biggs helena.biggs@scratchmagazine.co.uk Deputy editor Kat Hill kat.hill@scratchmagazine.co.uk News & features writer Chloe Randall chloe.randall@scratchmagazine.co.uk Editorial assistant Callie Iley callie.iley@scratchmagazine.co.uk Art editor Jessica Wilkie jesswilkie17@yahoo.co.uk Group sales manager Ian Archbold ian.archbold@scratchmagazine.co.uk Accounts Lisa Ebbens lisa.ebbens@scratchmagazine.co.uk

to int from winter ks the turning po ar m h s rc ion Ma ct of lle he month w nail colour co s on not just ne cu fo a d an g sprin s. t new beginning and designs, bu close-contact has been set for g, no clear date itin wr that it’s a of ful e pe tim ho At the e, but we’re all all m su re to UK th a fresh services in the your nail desk wi u can return to yo d more an en ay ev aw d s g lockdown an matter of week en ge accrued durin be led ve ow ha kn ic of l em ful mindset; fects of this pand ef e Th ncially, le. ro na fi ur d r yo professionally an appreciation fo be; personally, as we’ve glo g the ein ss llb ro we ac devastating cus on individual fo a of e or and its m h r been ue, team Scratc and there’s neve That’s why, this iss s. d with ge ar an rw fo ch k ge ty in order to loo all navigated hu cused on positivi fo ve ha ts nis expert colum il styling seat. e back in your na hope until you ar n to time in lockdow have used their t tha s not ch e te y’v m the tales fro te a project We’ve gathered ence and comple t m m tha s co ge or en ge all led t masking the ch further their know ial tips d while we’re no nc An . na fi to il e ve tim un d s ge previously ha y to day, our pa portant as – being faced da is increasingly im ich have – and are wh ts, en cli in ta re d an ure and how to capt may change. spending patterns k at the n inspiration, a loo nty of nail desig ple ustry. ’s re ind the the , ss ue As in every iss news from acro ing season and d it won’t m se co os cr s the r er fo ng s fi key trend k forward – and e, enjoy and loo sk. Immerse, indulg hind the nail de be ck u you’re ba be long until yo

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Images courtesy of Light Elegance P+ Glitter Gel Polish shades shown are A Spot By The Stream, Cucumber Sandwich, Meet Me By The Blueberries, Pears & Pastries, Sweet Tea & You Bring The Wine from the Afternoon Picnic collection. Available via www.sweetsquared.com

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. © 2021 SEED PUBLISHING LTD

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COVER CREDITS Photographer: Grazina Sevkovskaja of Grazina Art /GrazinaArtPhotography grazina.art . Nail artist: Lina Skipityte /LiLINails733 @ski.linna Make-up artist: Olga Firsova Beauty Addicted by Olga Firsova @filorija . Model: Viktorija Kozlovskyte viktorija.kozlovskyte.7 @victoria_kozlovskyte

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Contents MARCH 2021

FEATURES 24 Knowledge Is Power

Refresh your nail know-how with an insight into innovative learning support platform, NailKnowledge

28 What To Expect When You’re Expecting Examine considerations for pregnant nail techs & clients & help aid comfort in the nail space

34 Lockdown: One Year On

Scratch looks back at the past 12 months & chats to techs about their trials & triumphs throughout the pandemic

38 The Show Must Go Online!

Have you been missing trade events? Olympia Beauty has gone online for spring. Find out what’s in store...

40 Mixing Things Up

Get to grips with imix, a toolkit essential that will take the strain out of shaking gel polishes & lacquers before use

46 The S/S21 Colour Trend Report

Explore the key nail trends for spring/summer; from shapes to shades & oh-so arty styles

64 Access All Areas

Do you suffer from neck, wrist & finger pain? Experts serve up advice to ease & help manage the issues

88 The Meaning Of Loyalty

Retain clients & attract new ones with a selection of tried & tested loyalty schemes & reward initiatives

98 In Memoriam

Scratch pays tribute to Dennis Duisters, a dynamic Dutch businessman who brought quality nail products to pros

40 REGULARS 12 20 30 42 52 59 60 62 68 70 72 74 76 80 82 84 92 96

Nail Nation The Hot List Nailscopes The Force Of The Feds International Nail Spy Grow & Glow With Maddie The Clawgasmic Effect Through The Keyhole The Business Of Beauty Product Spotlight Readers Gallery Getting Down To Business Scratch Pads Mindful Matters Brand Watch Beauty In Numbers Fingernails in Focus Nail Clippings

Supplying UK Professionals since 1992

We create the chemistry, you make it

Beautiful!

Learn more about NSI at nsinails.co.uk or freephone

0800 881 8469

Nails by Bethany Denby using NSI Perfectly Pretty Powders

Share your creations #nsinails #nsiuk

@nsiukltd

@nsiuk

Head office: NSI (UK) Ltd Unit 4 James Nasmyth Way Eccles Manchester M30 0SF e: salesinfo@nsinails.co.uk t: 01617882860 f: 01617882861

Nail NATION

business

news & views By Team Scratch

Facebook Classes set to support the delivery of online nail education Social media platform, Facebook, is to offer a function that allows users to create and host interactive and live classes on its platform. Ideal for nail educators and brands, the Facebook Classes tool can be used to host paid workshops and training via the app or website. The class can be linked to a Facebook Live or an external video conferencing service via a URL link. It can also be hosted via a Messenger Room, which has the option to set a maximum capacity of students in attendance. If you are eligible for paid online events, the tool is also set to allow for paid admission to classes, meaning the host can charge for an event and accept payment via Facebook Pay. The feature allows the user to toggle privacy, meaning a class can be invitational or public, or shared via your friend list or to members of a Facebook Group. The tool also allows users to easily submit feedback on the class. For more information, visit the Events section at www.facebook.com

Leading trade beauty event moves online for spring Olympia Beauty has launched a free-to-attend virtual event, running over 15 weeks to excite, educate and inspire beauty professionals. Launched on 14 February, Olympia Beauty Spring will run until Monday 31 May and focuses on bringing the trade show experience to the home or workplace of all beauty professionals. The event deli vers beauty education and taster programmes alongside promotions and giveaways. Events and offers are added daily, so the beauty pro can dip in and out of the event via the Olympia Beauty website and social media channels. For more information, turn to page 38 and visit www.olympiabeauty.co.uk

VTCT bursaries enable students to complete studies during pandemic Qualification awarding organisation, Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT), has highlighted in its annual report that over 850 learners in disadvantaged areas were supported with grants in the last academic year. VTCT awards qualifications in hair, beauty and complementary therapies, as well as sport, active health & fitness and learning & development. Launched in November 2019, the VTCT Grants and Bursaries Programme was created by the board of trustees. In 2019/20, 15 training providers across the UK received grants of £5,000 to support learners through the ongoing pandemic. Leeds City College was one of the centres selected to benefit from the support. The college shared an update: “A number of hair, beauty & make-up learners that attend the college live in areas of high deprivation. “The bursary was used to support learners with their kits, uniforms and trips to help prepare them for full-time employment. With Covid-19 and the lockdown, the kits became absolutely essential for students and enabled them to carry out practical work at home.” www.vtct.org.uk

Scotland announces £4k grants for mobile & home businesses The Scottish government has launched the Mobile and Home-Based Close Contact Services Fund to help businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Beauty and nail services are eligible for the grant, along with other close contact services. Eligible applicants must operate their business primarily on a mobile basis or from home. ‘Mobile’ is defined as operating routinely (more than 50% of the time) from multiple locations, and not exclusively from fixed premises used solely for business purposes. Eligible applicants will receive a one-off £4,000 payment (£2,000 for the period to end December 2020 and a further £2,000 to cover the period from January 2021 onwards). Read the full criteria for the grant and apply here

12 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

business

Nail NATION SALON SYSTEM LAUNCHES CERTIFIED ONLINE NAIL & BEAUTY COURSES Salon System has created a series of certified online courses, delivered by its appointed training agency, Training Solutions. The online courses include Gellux Gel Polish, Lashlift & Tint, Marvelash Lash Extensions, Just Wax Essential Waxing and Just Wax Intimate Waxing. Prior to a live webinar, the attendee will receive access to an online learning portal to complete the pre-learning modules. Students will also have continued access to the portal for a year. Upon completion of the course, they will receive an accredited e-certificate, four CPD hours and CPD points. For more information, visit www.uktraining-solutions.co.uk

#CutItOut campaign aims to help pros spot signs of domestic abuse in clients Domestic abuse affects one in four women and one in six men in their lifetime, and a campaign has launched to help hair, nail and beauty professionals spot the signs a client may be experiencing domestic abuse. Nadia Norman, a police community support officer, who is leading the #CutItOut campaign in Northamptonshire says, “A lot of the people I spoke to about domestic abuse thought it meant physical violence. They didn’t understand about controlling and coercive behaviour or what support services were available. We want to equip hair and beauty professionals to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and awareness of where they can signpost clients to get help.” #CutItOut originated in Norwich, Norfolk, following a tragic murder. The campaign is being jointfunded by the force and the OPFCC and has the full involvement and support of partners such as VOICE, the CPS, Crimestoppers and NDAS. Beauty professionals who wish to learn more can email CutItOut@northants.pnn.police.uk

Salon duo launch merchandise to promote positivity Two beauty professionals Lizzie Cawdron Alicia Clough have joined forces to create merchandise promoting positivity. Alicia Clough and Lizzie Cawdron of Lunula Nails & Beauty, Derby, launched Project Positivity in January after the salon closed its doors in line with government restrictions. “We both believe that a positive affirmation can change your day and that there isn’t enough affirmation apparel out there,” the pair states. Five t-shirt designs are available, featuring different positive affirmations. The designs are printed on an organic, ethical, climate neutral and PETA-approved vegan t-shirt. The positive postcard bundle includes four affirmation postcards, which can be sent on to a friend, used as a personal pick-me-up or framed as décor in the salon. “We love creating our own apparel; the t-shirts are just the beginning,” the duo continues. “We can’t wait for more people to hear about the project and for the support on our socials to keep growing for anyone that needs that sprinkle of positivity in their life.” www.projectpositivity.co.uk

Misleading beauty filters banned for influencers The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has told social media influencers that they can no longer use ‘misleading’ filters on beauty adverts if they ‘exaggerate the effect of a cosmetic or skincare item’ being sold on the platform. The ban was enforced after the #filterdrop campaign started by make-up artist Sasha Pallari surged in popularity. It championed the promotion of natural skin over ‘beautifying’ filters and in turn, not misleading customers when advertising products. Adverts that break these rules will be taken down and prohibited from appearing again, which is likely to damage the advertiser and influencer’s reputation, the ASA has said. Follow the campaign on social media with the tag: #filterdrop

14 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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pleasure

Nail NATION Mumbai nail tech scoops 1st place in global online competition Nail technician, Pooja Panvanda from Mumbai, India, has scooped first place in New York’s OMC Hair World Championships 2020. Pooja beat 2000 participants from five continents in the Nail Fantasy category with an intricate bird design. “I participated in OMC Hairworld 2020 through AIHBA (All India Hair and Beauty Association) in Nail Fantasy Mannequin (creative theme of your choice),” Pooja comments. “Winning a gold medal was incredibly surreal for me. It was something that I had dreamed about for a long time. I felt so fortunate, and special thanks to Dr Sangeeta Chauhan from AIHBA for keeping trust in me and giving me the chance to represent India on a huge platform.” www.poojapanvanda.com For more information about the competition, visit www.omchairworld.com

OPI reunites with Kerry Washington to honour the brand’s 40th anniversary Actress and activist, Kerry Washington, has been announced as brand ambassador for OPI’s 40th anniversary year. She served as OPI’s creative ambassador in 2016 and teamed up with OPI co-founder, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, to launch the Washington D.C. nail colour collection. “We are delighted that Kerry is reprising her role as brand ambassador during our anniversary year,” comments Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. “She is a woman of style and substance who is fierce in everything she undertakes, from acting to activism.” Throughout 2021, OPI will spotlight 40 of the brand’s most iconic shades. Among the top shades is Washington’s previously co-created shade, ‘We The Female’ a commanding red nail lacquer that was part of the previous collaboration. “It is always inspiring to work with Suzi, one of the first female co-founders of a major beauty company,” reveals Washington. “She may be known as the ‘First Lady of Nails’, but she is also a true champion of women’s causes – one whose impact far transcends her own industry.” www.opiuk.com

The Beauty Edit Podcast launches affirmation cards The mother-daughter duo behind beauty industry-focused podcast, The Beauty Edit, has created positive affirmation cards, including uplifting statements to promote positivity for nail & beauty professionals. To use, the duo recommends selecting a card in the morning to help ‘set your mindset’ or throughout the day to lift your mood. “Repeat the affirmation to yourself five times to reinforce the belief,” encourage Shelby Holmes & Amanda Welbourn. “You can choose a specific card that you feel you need, or pick one at random and allow the universe to help you on your way.” To purchase the cards, visit the-beauty-edit-podcast.square.site

NAIL & BEAUTY BITES Scratch has launched an Events page on its website as a go-to place to find out about upcoming online courses, webinars, workshops and more. Updated daily, check it out and list your own event for free at www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/events

Marketing strategist, Beauty Boss, has recruited over 200 beauty professionals via a selective chain to the invite-only audio social networking app, Clubhouse. Monday to Friday, Beauty Boss founder, Layla Tourh, hosts a public room on the app titled The 40 Minute Club to support business owners with advice and marketing tips.

For the full stories, visit www.scratchmagazine.co.uk 16 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Light Elegance has revealed a smaller 2oz size of its Q&Lu Bamboo Lotion (£4.95 + VAT/RRP £9.95). The handy tube is ideal for mobile nail professionals or retailing to clients. www.sweetsquared.com

OPI has launched an educational app which offers video tutorials, step by steps, training booking and access to the brand’s trade website. The app is available for free via the Apple App Store and Google Play. www.opiuk.com

Beata Dybciak

Jo Foskett

Michaela Casuscelli

Vu Nail Systems announces team of ambassadors Nail brand, Vu Nail Systems, has added four brand ambassadors to its ‘Vu Crew’ after a search via Instagram. The brand has welcomed Marie Lewis (@thelittlebeautyroomuk), Jo Foskett (@josprettylittlegels), Michaela Casuscelli (@mica_nail_art) and Beata Dybciak (@beautylicious.bd). The role will involve the ambassador posting swatches and designs on social media using Vu Nail Systems products, reviewing and magnifying the brand by way of tags, mentions, hashtags and captions. “Extending our Vu Crew to our brand ambassadors has been a joy, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to create a partnership of passion and pride,” says Tracy Nash of Vu Nail Systems. www.vunailsystems.com

DID YOU KNOW?

Market research agency, Mintel, has highlighted four key beauty trends to look out for in its Global Beauty and Personal Care Trends 2021 report. The four consumer themes include: 1. Wellbeing – using beauty routine to aid total wellness. 2. Value – quality, convenience and purchase impact, rather than currency. 3. Technology – technological integration to oﬀer digital experiences. 4. Surroundings – eco-ethical considerations driving conscious purchases. www.mintel.com

Celebrity nail tech teams up with Aprés Nail to unveil new tip shape Chaun Legend, the US nail tech renowned for working with the likes of Kylie Jenner and Cardi B, has collaborated with Aprés Nail for a second time to unveil a new full coverage soft gel tip shape; The Sculpted Square XXL Gel-X Tips. The launch combines Chaun’s square design with Aprés’ soft-gel formula to fit with current 90s-style nail trends. This collaboration comes a year after Legend and Aprés Nail launched the Sculpted Tapered Coffin Extra Long Gel-X Tips. “Chaun has been an influential force in the nail industry,” comments Carol Ma, co-founder of Aprés Nail. “We were excited to collaborate with him again for this release to showcase the art form behind his unique XXL square tip style. Since his first product release with us, our effort has been to make his tip shape accessible and achievable for nail technicians and clients that wish to obtain Chaun’s unique build.” Chaun adds: “I hope with my new tip shape, those who wish to wear (nail) sets like the ones they see on my Instagram feed will be able to achieve the look.” www.apresnail.com

VODEX DONATES EXTRACTION UNIT TO NAIL TECH SUPPORTING CLIENTS WITH CANCER Beauty industry extraction specialist, Vodex, has donated a SalonAIR unit to Tracey Unwin following a heartwarming email from the tech. Tracey was searching for salon equipment to suit her budget, or with any special offers. As a cancer survivor herself, she explained that she wanted to offer nail, lash and brow treatments to women who were fighting cancer or had recovered from it in a personalised, private space. “I am passionate about protecting the health and lungs of everyone working in and visiting salons,” states Poala Taylor-Riddick, director and co-founder of Vodex Ltd. “I started the business due to my own experience with salon fumes and was relieved that Tracey had approached Vodex, which provides compliant products that pass the rigorous EN1822 Eurovent HEPA filter tests.” “The extraction unit is great; the best I’ve used,” Tracey comments. “I can’t thank Vodex enough for gifting it to me to support the free treatments I’m giving to brave ladies that have gone through and are going through cancer treatment.” www.vodex.co.uk /colourmecrazys5 Follow Tracey:

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 17

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NEWPRODUCTS

Salon System NaturaLash Strip Lash Multipacks from £9.30 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide. Offer clients something extra post-treatment with an application of natural-looking strip lashes – or consider retailing these handy multipacks, which include adhesive. The new styles, Texture 109 (£9.30 + VAT) and Texture 117 (£13.15 + VAT) are easy to apply, offer a wispy lash effect and up to 18 hours’ wear.

Light Elegance JimmyGel Shades £19.45 + VAT each www.sweetsquared.com Light Elegance’s soak-off building gel in a bottle is now available in four shades, in addition to the popular Clear. Boomer White, Natural, Ideal Pink, Soft Pink and Clear can be used alone or under hard gel or gel polish to add strength and length to the nail. Also available as a collection for £77.80 + VAT.

List THE HOT

Scratch scours the industry for the latest nail & beauty products to captivate clients & lend a helping hand to your services Mint Tint Nourish Nail and Cuticle Oil £POA www.minttint.co.uk Stimulate skin repair and nail growth with this fast absorbing oil, available in a 30ml desk bottle with a dropper and a retail-ready 4ml click and twist pen with sponge applicator. Fragrance-free, the formula features a blend of seven natural oils including jojoba, vitamin E oil and avocado oil.

Halo Elite Tools Collection £66 + VAT www.purenails.co/stockists Refresh your mani/pedi kit with the six new tools in the Halo Elite range, designed in partnership with UK nail techs and German engineers to meet the needs of the pro. The range includes tweezers, stork scissors, cuticle eradicator, cuticle pusher, gel tool and cuticle nipper, available separately or as a complete collection. CND Shellac™ The Colors Of You Collection £83.70 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com Inspired by self-expression, this spring pastel nail colour collection promotes positivity and encourages authenticity with names including ‘Smile Maker’ and ‘Change Sparker.’ The six shades are available in Shellac™ (£13.95 + VAT each) and Vinylux™ (£4.95 + VAT/ RRP £11.95 each).

20 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

NEWPRODUCTS

Magpie Beauty Nail Art Stickers £1.75 + VAT each www.magpiebeauty.co.uk Add eye-catching details to nails at speed with new additions to Magpie Beauty’s nail art sticker range. The designs include watercolour butterflies, florals and summery elements as well as abstract colour blocks, faces and embellishments.

Indigo Nails Master Of Pastel Collection £7.60 inc VAT each www.indigo-nails.co.uk Whether your client seeks a one-colour overlay or a pretty design featuring a number of shades, Indigo’s eight-piece spring gel polish collection serves up versatility and flavours for all. It includes the likes of Miss Muffin, a raspberry pink, and the light blue Ice Dream.

Lecenté Watercolour Foils £3.99 + VAT each www.lecente.com / www.sweetsquared.com www.ellisons.co.uk Bring a touch of watercolour art to nail styles with these six foils from Lecenté, inspired by an artist’s paint palette. The opaque foils feature dreamy pastel shades and ink patterns.

Jessica Golden Hour Collection £5.50 + VAT/RRP £11 each www.gerrardinternational.com Give a warm welcome to Jessica’s six Custom Colour shades for spring, inspired by the magic of the sun setting. The range features five crèmes and a shimmer shade called Dusk. The hues are also available in GELeration (£17.75 + VAT each) and midi sizes (£10.50 + VAT for a 3-pack).

Zoya Naked Manicure Ultra Glossy Seal Top Coat £9.99 + VAT/RRP £20.99 www.supernail.co.uk Promising a super speedy dry time with a high shine, this handy in-salon and retailfriendly lacquer top coat aims to prevent chipping for up to seven days. It features a Z-Wide brush for ease of application.

INK London FX No Wipe Top Coat Collection £45 inc VAT www.inknails.com Offer superior shine with these three dazzling no-wipe, buff-off top coats; ideal for use over all INK enhancement systems. Non-yellowing and with a flexible formula, the FX range features Perfect (pearl finish), Poseidon (blue chameleon effect) and Neptune (green chameleon effect).

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 21

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT

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Cowgirl Country Spring 2021 ButterCream

Saddle up and kick up some dust with the Cowgirl Country collection that will wake up your wild side. Perfectly on-trend for Spring 2021, these six NEW shades provide maximum colour impact in an easy one-coat application.

Sunrise Roundup

Chaps & Spurs

Knockin’ Boots

Little Filly

Lucky Horseshoe

Sexy in Suede

NEW

JimmyGel™ SHADES

NEW

Boomer White

Natural

Ideal Pink

Soft Pink

Formulated in the U.S.A, JimmyGel™ is a 100% HEMA free, soak-off builder gel in a bottle that allows you to create, sculpt and overlay the natural nail. Apply under Light Elegance™ ButterCreams for 21+ days wear.

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

EDUCATIONNAVIGATION

Knowledge is

PI ower t’s long been agreed among industry experts that nail education is a minefield. The arena is rife with many quick-fix, basic workshops bolted onto a brand that detour fundamental, basic and significant areas of nail knowledge – presenting a huge nuisance to our serious industry.

With this train of thought fertilising more concern with time and the ongoing birth of new brands, an idea was spawned to create a method of learning that was both engaging and interactive. This style of learning would be accompanied by knowledge checks within lessons and the latest facts from top industry experts – thus presenting a powerful resource online for the nail industry. This learning tool would also provide content to increase customer retention and loyalty by way of support documents and educational updates. It also had to be created by trusted industry authorities.

Kevin Nicholls

“I identified a problem with education in the nail industry, which I strongly felt needed to be solved,” observes Kevin Nicholls of Roo Beauty. “This led to me creating a concept and approaching Marian Newman.” It was here that NailKnowledge found its footing.

“I had been working in the nail industry designing, manufacturing and creating unique products fit for purpose for years. My remit has always been to solve a problem and being concerned that nail theory was not taught thoroughly and in some cases properly, if at all, I set out to find a solution. Some educators are not trained to teach theory correctly and there are companies issuing certification on unfocused theory with simple handouts that are not always factually correct. The rise in online resources such as YouTube, Instagram and Wikipedia presenting inaccurate facts also bothered me.

Cultivate the mind & up the ante by refreshing your nail know-how with NailKnowledge. ALEX FOX discovers more…

path. Marian, already an ambassador for many major nail education facilitators, is one of the most sought-after educators and her experience is invaluable to this venture. With Marian’s backing of the project, it soon attracted highly respected experts who were also willing to give their assistance in various ways, such as Doug Schoon and Vitaly Solomonoff.”

Concept to creation With the idea fermenting and forming during the summer of 2013, Kevin, unsure of how to deliver his education, waited until 2018 for the idea of online animation to dawn. Then it was lift off! “The project, to create hours of beautiful animated lessons, took two years by a team of expert animators and industry experts,” reveals Kevin. “We didn’t create new technology for the project as there are many off-the-shelf software solutions available,” he concedes. “However, we did create many unique finger and nail models to animate, as nothing like this has been attempted before.” Certainly, the premier choice for the role, Marian Newman needed little encouragement to jump on board since the power and force of education is her forte. “I’ve been writing textbooks since Y2K and, as much as I’ve enjoyed it, with the 4th edition of The Complete Marian Newman Nail Technician still selling well, I believed it was time to offer another avenue of teaching,” Marian notes. “I know Kevin very well and he’s an IT ‘geek’. He’s had many ideas over the years and this one really grabbed my attention. We must have been talking about education, and he said, ‘How about animating a teaching course?’ Well that was it! We were both on a roll and I signed up immediately.”

Development & growth

“I have had a close working relationship with Marian Newman over many years as I have designed products for her session work. Marian was the obvious choice to approach with my learning concept as she’s one of the industry’s leading professionals, with an unrivalled reputation as a pioneer in the delivery of straight-talking support sessions to manicurists of all abilities.

“Foundation industry education on the science side can be a bit dry and boring to many,” Marian admits. “It’s also hard to teach, especially when everyone wants to focus on creating gorgeous nails! So, with that in mind, coupled with many short courses often relegated to a handout, reading material online and a few diagrams with out of date information, we knew we needed to change it up.

“I knew with Marian, the NailKnowledge portal would be led by a professional who has not only done it all, but has trailblazed that

“We wanted to make sure that essential knowledge was no longer missing from a nail professional’s repertoire and in recognising that

24 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

EDUCATIONNAVIGATION

people ‘don’t know, what they don’t know’ until they run across problems, we knew we needed to fix it.

programme and I encourage all nail techs and educators to enrol on this course and upgrade their knowledge.

“We formed the perfect plan,” Marian continues. “We needed to choose something that isn’t always easy to learn, but essential. We needed to understand the psychology of teaching and learning styles, gather science-based facts from experts in the subject and create something that everyone can learn from in a fun and engaging way. No brand bias; no opinions; no marketing spins; just facts.” Naturally, as with any great industry innovation, the project took time and endured many false starts, a pile of scripts, thousands of hours modelling and animating and much time in discussions with the two other experts, Doug Schoon and Vitaly Solomonoff. “Many hours recording ‘voice overs’ in a sound studio and filming on a green screen were poured into this project,” relays Marian. “Hundreds of changes and improvements, around 120 individual multiple choice Knowledge Points, 80 individual multiple choice Knowledge Checks with 30 multiple choice questions for the final exam as well as focus groups; testers of the course and the system were all part of the process we paved.”

Launch to learning

“I’m proud to have played a part. Every nail educator should take this course. It’s not just for beginners. The future has arrived! This is the cutting edge of nail technology education.” Just as forthright in his sentiments, Vitaly Solomonoff asserts, “This educational course is a project that’s been inspired by two excellent and passionate people. This entire project is not only a Vitaly Solomonoff great set of educational videos, but an exceptional educational course for all levels of nail pro from beginners to educators, with genuine educational help that describes and explains all aspects and details of the tiniest nail structures and processes. This is the first and only educational course in the world that shows what is going on with every and each cell within the nail unit. The amazing animations are accompanied with comprehensive explanations by the exceptionally artistic Marian Newman and her magic voice.”

“If you want to get the facts, this nail course presents them in a very interesting way and with really spectacular visuals.”

Excited and relieved in quick succession to have launched the learning tool, Marian enthuses, “We’re all very proud of the result and believe this truly is essential knowledge for every nail professional whatever their level. There’s so much up-to-date info included that there’ll be new learning for all and, I hope, many ‘lightbulb’ moments. We showcase the nail seen growing from the matrix, the process of polymerisation, how the proximal nail fold is created in the foetus and much more. It’s a learning resource for students and a teaching resource for educators, as it can be integrated into current courses and the educator has their own unique dashboard on the website to monitor and support their student’s learning. “We’re thrilled with the feedback we’ve been getting. It’s already in several countries and many brands have also picked it up. It’s improving all the time and now we’re onto the next project.”

Doug Schoon

“Fact-based information in the nail industry is hard to find,” he confesses. “Much of what is being taught is misinformation from the past. Many are teaching their misinformed opinions as if they were facts. The nail industry cannot grow in a meaningful and positive direction until the education level is improved. In NailKnowledge, once again, Marian Newman has set a new bar for nail education. If you want to get the facts, this nail course presents them in a very interesting way and with really spectacular visuals.

An industry icon of noble standing, Doug Schoon expresses his view on this new learning mechanism. “I became involved because it’s clear that the industry needs a serious education reboot. I’m very happy to be involved in this innovative educational

Not an accredited course, NailKnowledge is a support tool as Kevin confirms, “Regulated and unregulated (accredited) courses are qualifications. NailKnowledge is a support or learning resource for a qualification. It is knowledge and understanding and does not include any practical nor application skills that are needed for any qualification in the professional nail industry. On completion a diploma is issued, which states clearly what has been achieved with topics that follow the National Occupational Standards.

www.nailknowledge.org /nailknowledge @nailknowledge.education SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 25

HEALTH&WELLBEING

What to expect when you’re expecting Sunday 14 March marks Mother’s Day – so take this time to explore considerations for mums-to-be in the nail space CHLOE RANDALL REPORTS Many mothers book a nail appointment to enjoy some ‘me time’ and a chat; but are you well versed on tending to the needs of a mum-to-be? Carrying a baby can be both the most beautiful, yet tiring period of a woman’s life – and it calls for a pamper session. From general comfort to specific treatment considerations, help create an optimum experience for the expectant mother to support their needs and show good thought, kicking off with a thorough consultation.

PRODUCT PICKS Light Elegance Q&Lu Salt Soak £17.95 + VAT/RRP £42.95 www.sweetsquared.com Indigo Nails Lab Hand Cream in Matrioshka £3.50 inc VAT www.indigo-nails.co.uk

What’s more – if you’re a salon manager with a pregnant employee or you’re expecting a child yourself, help aid your daily work life with top tips for keeping as comfortable as possible…

Salon System Gellux Hydrate Hand & Foot Lotion £8.60 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

Pregnant clients: points to consider “Comfortable seating should be a priority as well as creating a tranquil atmosphere. This could be the last chance for a while for the client to enjoy some time for herself, so taking extra care to create a comforting environment and offering a luxurious treatment will go a long way.” Rosemarie Jones, brand ambassador, The Gel Bottle Inc “Back support should always be considered. Something as simple as popping a small cushion or rolled-up towel in the small of the lady’s back as she is having a nail service can make a huge difference to her comfort levels. “It is a good idea to take a few minutes to discuss what you can do to make the service more comfortable. Be aware that adjustments may also need to be made during the treatment so extra service time should be allowed for this.” Susan McGirl, CND™ education ambassador

CND™ SPA Gardenia Woods Duo Pack £19.95 +VAT/RRP £46.95 www.sweetsquared.com

“I recommend avoiding the use of clippers or sharp tools. When shaping the client’s nails, carefully consider the file grit as hormonal changes can cause nails to be brittle, split or sensitive. Make your treatment area more comfortable by considering the use of music, heated oils, masks and gentle massage movements.” Sara Tomczyk, Indigo Nails Lab UK educator

Peacci‘ S.K.I.N Full Set £35.65 + VAT/RRP £57 www.peacci.com

“During pregnancy, apart from the problems with trying to reach feet as the baby bump grows, they can begin to noticeably swell and ache. Elevating the feet and also soaking them can really help to reduce swelling including gentle foot massaging by placing a ball on the floor and rolling the foot over it to allow the excess fluid to shift away from the feet.” Dr. Bharti Rajput MBE, director & podiatrist at Sole Body Soul, Dundee

Most clients can continue to wear their preferred nail coating but recommendations on what is suitable vary closer to the birth, so the nail tech should advise the client to discuss this with their doctor as they near the end of the pregnancy.

Top Tip

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HEALTH&WELLBEING

Safety matters

Pregnant nail techs: points to consider

Some nail techs may have concerns about the effect that certain nail products may have on them and their unborn baby. However, scientist and nail expert, Doug Schoon, reveals that as long as you’re working safely already, you have nothing to fear. “Scientific studies indicate that the ingredients used in artificial nail coatings are not likely to be harmful to expectant mothers,” he reveals. “To put things into perspective; smoking is many thousands of times more dangerous during pregnancy than anything a nail technician may be exposed to in the salon.”

1. Posture

Posture is always important for the nail technician and especially when pregnant. The nail tech should ensure their desk is at a suitable height and they have appropriate back support with the chair they are using.

Vodex SalonAir 1001 Extraction Unit £POA www.vodex.co.uk

2. Environment

Ensure the working environment is clean, free of dust and well ventilated, and consider a fan by the desk in the warmer months.

3. Movement

Take regular breaks, move around the nail space after each treatment and stay hydrated.

If in doubt, show a doctor the safety data sheets for the products you are using and they can advise how best to carry on working. If fumes and scents within the nail environment are aggravating morning sickness, assess the ventilation within the vicinity and take short breaks outside. Keep products tightly closed and use a bin with a closing lid, emptying it as often as possible to keep solvent smells at bay.

4. Comfort

Ensure you have comfortable clothing and seating while considering the pressure on your back and legs when working. Easy access to toilet facilities will also be necessary. Buttercups Maternity Tunic in B521 £38.99 + VAT www.buttercupsuniforms.com

The Health & Safety Authority details advice on working while pregnant

TECH TALK Natalie Essery, owner of Natural Beauty, Leeds, reveals the alterations she made to her working practice while pregnant… • Chair height – I worked with my chair lower than normal so my bump tucked under the desk and my eye level was closer to the desk. This meant I didn’t have to lean over my bump as much. • Desk – A kidney shape desk definitely came in handy as I found I could get closer to the client. • Ventilation – I was pregnant in summer so I kept doors and windows open to keep the salon ventilated even more so than normal. • Preparation – I made provisions in case the baby arrived early but something I didn’t plan for was that I suffered from pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome. It started in the third trimester with my son and caused me to lose all grip in my left hand. By 38 weeks, I had to stop doing massage/ nail enhancements as a result. Luckily, I retained enough grip to hold a hand in place to do gel polish services as luckily it wasn’t my working hand.

MY TOP TIPS

• Allow yourself rest time. As I was self-employed, I was back in the salon three weeks after a complicated birth with my first baby and I was straight back into the Christmas rush. • Reduce your hours if you can. • Have back-up plans for unexpected things and restrict your treatment list if problems arise. @naturalbeautyleeds

TECH TALK

Abi Garvey, brand ambassador at Pure Nails, shares her experience working as a nail tech while pregnant… “I worked in a salon throughout my last two pregnancies, and my biggest tip is to know your limitations. When I was working in a salon, I had back-to-back clients with only a 30-minute lunch break. During my second pregnancy, I was more vocal about what I could and could not do; I was worried to voice my concerns at first but the team was so understanding. Towards the end of both my pregnancies, sitting down for prolonged periods of time and doing a set of nails was so uncomfortable so I stretched regularly throughout the day. “Reducing the number of treatments towards the end of pregnancy was essential. Trying to do a relaxing pedicure with a large bump in the way is tricky, and this will be one treatment I will be suspending towards the end of my third pregnancy.” @abi.g.beauty

The employer’s perspective As part of health & safety procedures, business owners should conduct regular risk assessments; particularly reviewing them when a pregnancy is announced. This analysis is a great way to identify any risks that need to be addressed. “Some employers will contribute towards maternity benefit but that all depends on the individual’s contract. The HSA also states that the employer needs to allow provision for the pregnant, postnatal or breastfeeding mother to rest or lie down in appropriate conditions. The employer is also obliged to carry out a risk assessment in relation to pregnancy.” Susan McGirl, CND™ education ambassador “From 28 weeks, a mum-to-be is high risk, so more than one risk assessment should be taken place. Employers should allocate extra breaks and allow the tech to restrict some services such as pedicures.” Rosemarie Jones, brand ambassador, The Gel Bottle Inc

Need advice? For more information on maternity benefit and eligibility, scan here SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 29

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 , ti v e s & m o re … o m r e re a c s, w d ra KEY QUALITIES

Compassionate, caring and kind, Pisces is one of the most empathetic signs in the zodiac. Optimistic and enthusiastic, this sign is extremely easy-going and can adapt to any and all circumstances. This ability to be dynamic and fluid helps Pisceans be understanding, supportive and accepting when the people around them are in need. Those born while the sun is in Pisces are gentle people who are friendly in nature, making them extremely likeable to others. Pisceans are selfless, devoted friends who are loyal and forgiving of any mistakes and are non-judgemental. They have a strong moral compass that guides them through life. Their imaginative nature can cause them to be idealistic at times but makes them extremely artistic and creative people.

Pisceans prioritise communication in both personal and professional relationships, believing anything can be solved through talking. Those born under this sign offer unconditional support to everyone in their lives and make a conscious effort to validate the feelings of others. Being so likeable makes this water sign extremely popular, but a Pisces also values time alone and prioritises quality over quantity in relationships with others. OPI GelColor in Rated Pea G £17.80 + VAT As a water sign, it is no surprise that ocean www.opiuk.com

COLOUR PICKS

shades such as sea green are in the top colour picks for this sign. Purple is another preferred hue for Pisces, as it channels creativity, and lilac hues can help to enhance the optimism, light and imagination of this sign. NSI Polish Pro in Sticky

This sign loves to push any and all boundaries. Pisceans are easily inspired and have lots of energy for work, but maintain a positive worklife balance, as they are also very family orientated. This sign possesses a vivid imagination and is often exceptionally artistically gifted, so a career in nail styling is appropriate.

STYLE FILE

Pisceans are known for their vibrant and glamorous style. They often have comfortable favourites with laid back vibes in their wardrobe, mixed in with luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet. Their immaculate style is embodied by celebrities of this sign, including Rihanna, Madison Beer, Camila Cabello, Justin Bieber, Cindy Crawford, Drew Barrymore, Adam Levine and Elizabeth Taylor.

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Singer-songwri ter, Camila Ca bello, shows off beau tiful black Frenc h tips by Kim Truong of @kimkimnails .

Halo Gel Polish in Harlequin £4.99 + VAT www.purenails.co/stockists

Instagram.co

Light Elegance Glitter Gel in Gaudy But Gorgeous INK London iLac in i188 £18.95 + VAT Cuban Lily £7.50 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com www.inknails.com

m/kimkimna

ils

Taffy £10 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

This water sign is ruled by Neptune, which feeds into its creativity and imaginative. Due to this, a Pisces works best in a role that allows them to use creative capabilities to the highest degree. This sign is driven by making others feel good and they work best when they are able to do this. Pisceans are hardworking, determined to achieve any goals they set themselves and are extremely reliable.

ils

This friendly sign often means that Pisceans find themselves in the company of others, as people love being around them. They are always willing to help others and often put the needs of those around them before their own. This sign looks for the best in everyone it meets. The caring, loyal nature of Pisceans means they make amazing friends and would do anything for those that are important to them.

WORK & HOME HABITS

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PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

sign by ld foil de sces. eous go for any Pi ct fe er This gorg p ailsbykt is @vegann

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19 February –20 March

Instagra

Pisces

Salon System Gellux in Plum Tuckered £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

Black a nd gold make fo nail loo r a strik k, with ing the Pisc wordag es sign e scatt and e re design d acro ss this by @ve egee__ .

INDUSTRYMATTERS

LOCKDOWN:

One Year On Twelve months on from the first UK coronavirus lockdown, CHLOE RANDALL puts the focus on techs that have found positivity during this turbulent time… This month marks one year since UK nail and beauty salons were forced to close their doors for the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. We know along with many other sectors, the restrictions have hit the nail and beauty industry hard, causing a lot of uncertainty and many financial struggles. Along with closed salons and the introduction of PPE causing increased costs, many nail technicians have been left in the dark in terms of financial support and unsure when they will be back to doing what they love without worrying about the future. However, lockdown has opened up many different avenues, which may not have revealed themselves if it wasn’t for the pandemic. Many people have found a new career as a nail technician after their previous career ceased during lockdown and existing nail technicians have used the time to go back to basics and brush up on their skills. We’ve seen a boost in new product launches from smaller, independent brands, which have had the time to turn their ideas into a reality, and online education has meant accessibility to a variety of sources, regardless of location. Social media platforms and sites have presented pools of inspiration, advice and tasks and while there is still much uncertainty across the sector, there has been a huge spread of love and support.

THE ADVENT OF ONLINE NAIL COMPETITIONS

Nail competitions have been growing steadily in popularity for some years now with the likes of Nailympia London attracting many nail pros from around the globe to its arena every autumn. The onset of national lockdowns across the globe and heavy restrictions on travel meant that 2020 did not see any live competitions, but instead saw the emergence of online nail competition platforms. A quick response to the pandemic saw localised competitions arise in Greece, Egypt, Poland and Russia to name a few, in the first half of the year. Nailympia did not enter the online arena until October. Alex Fox, global director explains, “It was a really difficult year to navigate in terms of understanding what the direction of the pandemic would be. Back in May 2020 it did not occur to me that the UK would not be open all hours in the October. I lived in a belief that Nailympia London would go ahead as planned. By July, I realised this may not be the case and so started really looking closely at offering an online version of the competition. “I’d been invited by a few organisations to judge, and so was aware of what was being offered. Always steering Nailympia in its own lane, I devised a completely different online competition to what Nailympia live arenas offer as well as all the other online competitions. This began by creating a unique judging and scoring system that could be bolted into the current website, as well as formulating an entirely new division for veterans and generally making Nailympia as sexy online as it is in real life. “I’ve been astounded at the take-up of this first edition. It has proved extremely popular and its message has spread far and wide with many techs signing up that are new to this brand of competition. I’m so pleased that I went down this route, as it gave me a project to really sink my teeth into as well as inspiring nail artists to express themselves during a time of much uncertainty. We all need motivation and a mission.”

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INDUSTRYMATTERS

UP-SKILLING

For many nail technicians and salon owners, lockdown has given them the gift of time. Time to either learn new nail techniques, how to improve their business, or simply go back to basics. “It’s all good learning new techniques but I think bringing it back to basics is just as important. I have spent time during lockdown relearning application techniques, cuticle care, anatomy & physiology. I wanted to get back to work knowing my knowledge had been refreshed.” Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System nail expert & owner of Sketched by J-A Nails

Timeline of events Over the last year, the nail industry has experienced many ups and downs. Here is a reminder of what has happened since the first national lockdown in the UK in March 2020…

11 March 2020 – Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, pledged £30bn to help the UK economy through the coronavirus outbreak.

23 March 2020 – UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announces the first national lockdown in the UK, ordering nail salons and beauty services to close. The furlough scheme is also announced.

11 May 2020 – Return to Work Guidelines for nail techs, salon owners & clientele, published by British Beauty Council, in tandem with nail expert, Marian Newman and scientist, Doug Schoon. 13 May 2020 – MPs issue Call to Action to support beauty industry during lockdown. 4 July 2020 – Hairdressers could re-open in England, but beauty salons and nail bars were left in the dark.

6 July 2020 – Nail and beauty salons could re-open in Northern Ireland. “I have had the time to undertake further training courses. I have taken part in practical courses by joining some online workshops and also more business-related courses by taking advantage of distance learning.” Tracy McGoogan, INK London educator “The main thing I have positively experienced as a nail tech is the time I’ve spent practising my techniques and nail art. When I am working I rarely get time to try new designs so this has allowed me to improve nail art skills.” Millie Donovan, Staffordshire Nail Academy brand specialist “I used the time to practise everything that I’ve never had time to do. This became an escapism from the real world – which we all need sometimes!” Amy Martin, brand ambassador, Georgie Smedley Group “I spent most of the lockdown retraining in different treatments and trying to better myself as a boss and as a therapist. It has given us, as a whole, a chance to expand our knowledge but to also focus on what we want going forward.” Clare Hooson, Louella Belle educator

13 July 2020 – Nail and beauty salons were allowed to open again in England, with no treatments on the face permitted.

22 July 2020 – Nail and beauty salons were permitted to re-open in Scotland. 27 July 2020 – Nail and beauty salons could open again in Wales. 15 August 2020 – Beauty services were able to run fully in England in a Covid-safe manner. 16 October 2020 – Salons in Northern Ireland were closed as part of a four-week circuit breaker.

22 October 2020 – Rishi Sunak announces a financial support package for Tier 2 businesses.

23 October 2020 – Beauty salons were forced to close in Wales for just over two weeks as part of a circuit breaker.

31 October 2020 – UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announces a second lockdown in England, lasting four weeks.

5 November 2020 – The second national lockdown begins in England and the furlough scheme is extended until March 2021.

20 November 2020 – Salons and beauty services closed again in Northern Ireland as part of a two-week circuit breaker.

23 November 2020 – Boris Johnson confirmed that nail and beauty salons would be allowed to open as planned in England on 2 December.

2 December 2020 – Nail and beauty salons re-opened after the second lockdown. Between 2 December and 4 January, restrictions were altered locally based on their tier, meaning during this time, in some areas, nail and beauty salons had to close.

11 December 2020 – Lockdown ends in Northern Ireland and salons could reopen. 24 December 2020 – Nail and beauty salons closed in Wales. 4 January 2021 – The Prime Minister announces a third lockdown in England, with this also being the case in Wales, Northern Ireland and most of Scotland. At the time of writing, nail and beauty salons remain closed in the UK. 5 January 2021- Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announces one-off grants worth up to £9,000 will be available to beauty businesses across the UK. 10 February 2021 – Scotland announces £4,000 grants for close contact mobile & home businesses.

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INDUSTRYMATTERS

SPOTLIGHT ON… educator, Sam Biddle “As an educator and course provider, lockdown has restricted my ability to travel and visit the many countries and distributors all over the world that I would have done previously. I saw other nail educators keen to provide online education but many had limited resources or lacked the technical knowledge to build a website and learning platform. So, I decided to start a new business – The Inspired Space. “During lockdown, I have been able to work with other nail professionals and connect and collaborate with them to help build their online education courses. Before lockdown, I wouldn’t have had the time for this but I am excited by the relationships I have developed. “I am very aware of how lucky I am to be able to continue working and building my business during lockdown. One thing I have embraced is the opportunity to change and grow, and I will forever trust that it will all work out. I am thankful for the friendships and support and have learned to be more empathetic during this pandemic.”

MORE BRANDS, MORE CHOICE With the nail industry closed, lockdown provided a chance for a number of techs to try their hand at product creation. “I’ve always had a passion for business and I love designing and creating. Suddenly, with the global pandemic hitting the beauty industry hard and the salon temporarily closing, it was time to focus on a plan and the brand was born.” Vicky Lucas-Smith, founder of Cutie Oils Sister duo, Ashley and Olivia Witter, created Nails In The Hudd, their own brand of nail products. The brand launched in November 2020 with the by.OWA No.28 moisture oil, described as ‘a unisex oil with a musky scent.’ “We had been planning the product since January 2020 but needed to do a lot of research and reading, and then Covid-19 hit and delayed the launch,” Ashley comments. “However, we utilised our time in the pandemic well as I focused on building my @PaintedBeautyHQ following, developing my skills and hosting live Instagram classes. Olivia developed her PhotoShop skills, which has been vital for the packaging and marketing of by.OWA.”

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GOING VIRTUAL

When lockdown hit, nail techs embraced the virtual world for online courses, put the focus on improving their social media activity and broadening their professional network. “It has enabled my social media presence to grow from 750 followers in March 2020 to over 32,000. Practising on my own nails regularly online also helped me catch the eye of Team TGB to become an ambassador.” Bryony Howell, The Gel Bottle Inc ambassador “In the first lockdown, I set up an online booking system. I had previously been using a paper diary because I thought it was easier, but it definitely wasn’t and I’m so glad I had the time to make the change over without worrying about messing appointments up.” Jaz Moger, Salon System nail expert & owner of Paint by Jaz

#SHOWSCRATCH CREATIVE CHALLENGE

Scratch launched a weekly Creative Challenge on Instagram and Facebook to keep the creative juices of nail techs flowing. With a new theme announced each Wednesday, techs have 24 hours to create a design and tag with #showscratch #creativechallenge before being featured in an online gallery on the Scratch website. Check out one of our creative challenge galleries here

SPOTLIGHT ON… Jazz Christodoulou, general manager, Georgie Smedley Group “As an employee for Georgie Smedley Group, as an individual and as a wife, the global pandemic has made me realise the most important things in life. It’s made me realise that it is down to me and no one else to make the best of any bad situation. I suffer from anxiety and depression and my coping mechanism is usually to bury my head in the sand and go to sleep. However, I’ve realised that keeping myself busy, keeping the house clean and working to the best of my ability gives me a reason to be proud of myself. I also have a new appreciation for the supportive people around me who I can rely on, instead of trying to fix things myself!

“The pandemic has allowed me to spend time figuring out what I want to do. In regard to work, I’ve had time to sit down and prioritise what’s best for the business and what can be left until later or delegated to someone else. It’s also allowed me to try things I didn’t have time for, realising what I can actually do.” Lessons learnt: • Take one day at a time • Prioritise • Be productive, always and every day. If some days are harder than others, try and achieve the smaller things on your to-do list.

INDUSTRYEVENT

The show must go

! e n i l n O

Leading beauty trade event, Olympia Beauty, has moved online for spring – offering a wealth of education & exciting product offers for pros across 15 weeks. HELENA BIGGS learns more…

s big in-person gatherings have been paused by the pandemic, beauty pros have missed out on the buzz of the traditional trade show. From uncovering up-and-coming brands and stocking up on products to networking and participating in competitions, trade events have a place in every beauty pro’s heart – and have been sorely missed over the past 12 months. While brands, educators and competition organisations have responded to the pandemic by moving to virtual platforms, it’s hard to see what else is ‘out there’ with the quick-moving algorithms of social media, and without knowing what you’re specifically looking for. This is why leading trade beauty organisation, Olympia Beauty, has created a spring event – encompassing offers, webinars and training events from multiple brands under its umbrella. “The traditional trade event brings the industry together,” comments Ian Archbold, Olympia Beauty show director. “While we look forward to hosting the physical Ian Archbold Olympia Beauty event as planned in London 3-4 October, we are meeting the needs of beauty professionals in the meantime with a spring event.” Launched on 14 February, the event is running until 31 May with offers, webinars and more added daily. These are listed on site as well as on Olympia Beauty’s social 38 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

media channels. “Flexibility is important, for both beauty professionals and brands, so running the event for 15 weeks gives beauty pros the opportunity to dip in and out when they please and make the most of everything the Olympia Beauty Spring Event has to offer,” Ian continues. “Brands can utilise this time to showcase and promote a number of promotions and training offers.” The Olympia Beauty Spring Event is easy to navigate, with offerings divided into six categories: 1. Brands A-Z 2. Products 3. Education, Courses & Training 4. Business Services 5. Memberships & Subscriptions 6. Partners You can also check out offers and training by sector, such as Nails, Make-up or Green & Vegan. “The Olympia Beauty Spring Event provides something for the entire beauty community – all in one place,” Ian continues. “It’s an exciting resource that can be enjoyed before the in-person trade event in October. “Launched on Valentine’s Day, the event is symbolised with a heart logo – so when you see this, you’ll know that we’re sharing love and resources across the industry.” Register for the event and find out more via www.olympiabeauty.co.uk & its social media channels: /olympiabeauty @olympiabeauty @olympiabeautyuk

The Olympia Beauty Spring Event has partnered with the following brands, which are each in support of this exciting new platform for beauty professionals: • BABTAC • British Beauty Council • CEW • City & Guilds • Federation of Holistic Therapists • HABIA • Hair & Beauty Charity • The Hair & Barber Council • hairFED • iTec • Mhfed • PHAB Service Stars • The FNP • VTCT • Scratch Magazine

Scan here to watch Scratch’s interview with Olympia Beauty show director, Ian Archbold

PRODUCTSPOTLIGHT

MIXING

p u s g n i th

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Introducing imix – the innovative addition to your nail desk that takes the strain out of shaking product bottles & ensures smooth, consistent colour offerings

PRODUCTSPOTLIGHT

have off the precious minutes at the start of a nail appointment spent rolling and shaking product bottles and let imix – the latest addition to Sweet Squared’s portfolio – do the hard work for you.

This super handy device alleviates the stress on the wrists through regular shaking and mixes your gel polish and lacquer formulas for perfect application – so you can enjoy chatting to your client and prepping their nails for a fabulous colour finish. A true talking point, the imix is slick in appearance; simply plug in, drop one of the round metal miXers into any bottle of gel polish or lacquer and pop the bottle onto the launch pad. Press the button and the imix will use magnetic technology to blend the formula for a streak-free finish. What’s more, the imix’s lighting display can be programmed to reflect your favourite shade while it works; a jazzy addition to your nail desk. “Sexy, colourful, quiet, simple and minimal, imix is a lacquer and gel polish colour blending game-changer for the nail professional,” comments Samantha Sweet, co-founder of Sweet Squared, distributor of imix. “Not only does this device mix polishes beautifully for an absolutely flawless application, it also takes the pressure off the wrist and alleviates the effects of carpel tunnel syndrome. “The slick and simple design works with any salon décor and sits neatly on nail desks for a mixing experience like no other.”

How it works 1 launch pad.

Drop a miXer into your bottle and place onto the imix

the on/off imix button and watch as the imix blends 2 Tap and develops polish (or gel polish) back to its true colour.

3 Start painting.

The imix is accompanied by miXers and a miXtractor. The miXers are reusable and can be easily removed from the product bottle after use with the miXtractor, which attracts the miXer magnetically. Glide it up and out of the bottle and clean the miXer with acetone before dropping into another shade.

Why mix?

Mixing a gel polish or lacquer before use is essential in order to mix the pigments and other colourants, which can settle. Product ingredients including plasticisers, polymer resins, solvents, suspension agents, colourants and stabilisers can start to separate if left on a shelf or in a kit bag for more than 24 hours, so mixing or shaking is required so these ingredients can work together to produce the best result on the nail plate. Shaking by hand – no matter how vigorously – may not produce an even mix or mix from the bottom of the product bottle. The miXers, however, when dropped into the bottle, work using magnetic mixing technology to mix the entire formula. What’s more, the process reduces wasted product, mixing until the last drop.

Mix your product, paint the nails and share the process using #imixyoupaint

Check out a demonstration of the imix on Scratch’s Facebook page; aired live 1 March

The imix is available via www.sweetsquared.com for £54.95 + VAT and includes 10 miXers, a miXtractor and USB cable with instructions. Additional miXers are available in packs of 20 (£11.50 + VAT) or 50 (£24.95 + VAT). /SweetSquared @SweetSquared @sweetsquared.nails

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 41

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

Chair – Marian Newman BEM

Deputy chair & director of information – Sue Davies

Director of education – Donna Clayton

Director of licence to teach – Jennie Nippard

Treasurer & financial director – Peter Borg

Membership secretary – Alexandra Cassells

THE FORCE

OF THE FEDS JENNIE NIPPARD, The Federation of Nail Professionals’ director of licence to teach, talks industry issues… ONLINE LEARNING CONSIDERATIONS

he Federation of Nail Professionals is in the process of undertaking projects to standardise and regulate the nail industry. It is acutely aware that the industry is struggling, with so many people suffering financially and emotionally due to the pandemic. It also recognises the need for adaptations to enable the industry to move forward.

As our world has changed and adapted to the ‘new normal’, with periods of lockdown, travel restrictions and limitations, we now see schools, colleges and universities carrying out education online. The FNP understands the importance of embracing and developing appropriate and effective online training methods within the nail industry. This is essential in order to keep the industry moving forward in a positive way. As with any training, The FNP promotes and supports effective and appropriate methods, and notes that extra steps may be necessary to develop online courses to ensure that students can still get the maximum benefit from their learning, without necessarily being in a classroom environment. Online learning has proved an extremely popular option, and it’s wonderful to see so many passionate students aspiring to join the industry. The nail industry has been hit so hard by the pandemic. Morale is at an all-time low, with many struggling to get motivated and harbouring feelings surrounding lack of purpose. Online learning offers the opportunity to use time in a proactive way, to learn new skills and expand on 42 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

existing skills. There is a huge number of online courses available, covering everything from theory to practical and design, so there is an opportunity for everyone to expand their knowledge and skills. It’s important to focus on these positive opportunities too, when in such uncertain times as personal development is so beneficial and will help each individual, as well as the industry as a whole. Offering online training throughout the pandemic has also highlighted the importance of making learning accessible to people who are unable to get into a classroom. Some are restricted by their ability to get to educational centres to attend training. Offering online classes presents the opportunity to learn even if they have physical or psychological reasons for being unable to attend a class. Being able to learn from home in a familiar environment has also opened doors to many, enabling educators to offer both accessible and inclusive learning. Right now we are seeing students attending online courses that are suffering with high levels of anxiety and may have been too apprehensive to attend a course in a new environment. People with physical disabilities who can struggle in a classroom are now able to learn new skills while in their own environment. Online learning is also benefitting students who are restricted by time and want to learn at their own pace, or who have other commitments, as it’s more likely they will commit to and complete them. Online training is not new, however many education providers have, in recent times, worked hard to develop and improve online training methods, which are producing excellent results. These adjustments are essential in order to continue driving the industry forward. We must not lay dormant, therefore The FNP supports efforts being made to give nail professionals, as well as aspiring nail techs, the opportunity to use their time in lockdown in a positive way. It’s been proven that fabulous results can be achieved from online nail courses if delivered correctly and conscientiously. With online platforms it’s possible to offer virtual classroom environments for practical learning with excellent views of demonstrations and working areas. This offers educators the opportunity to focus on their students work in great detail and gives students clear and close up views of all demonstrations.

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

“Online All beginners’ courses should have assessments prior learning offers to certification. It’s also extremely important that provide feedback, with clear direction the opportunity to educators on how to improve. Look for training reviews use time in a from former students and ask questions if you further information before booking. proactive way, to require Ensure that you have any necessary equipment needed for the class, and a stable internet learn new skills connection is crucial. Do not book anything and expand on before you are confident that the course satisfies existing skills.” your requirements. • Beginners training & advanced new skills training Online theory classes provide students with the opportunity to utilise different learning styles and offer access to the course information they require to refer back to. Of course, as with any training, there are appropriate methods and inappropriate methods of online learning and there are many important factors to take into account prior to embarking on it. Here are some factors to consider when looking for an online class or course option:

Practical aspects of the training should always be carried out in a virtual classroom environment on an online platform where the educator and students are visible on camera. All students must have a clear and close up view of the educator’s screen for practical demonstrations. The educator must have a clear view of the student’s hands and working area while they’re completing the practical. This gives the educator the opportunity to view the student’s work in great detail so they can assist with brush angles and filing techniques throughout the course. Assessments should be carried out prior to certification. The FNP does not support beginners, or new skills training being delivered on a pre-recorded video, without online face-to-face contact. • Due diligence Prior to booking any training it’s crucial to do your due diligence. Firstly, ensure that your insurance provider will accept online certification. When selecting an education provider or an educator, it’s important to feel comfortable with your choice. Checking the course content, the delivery methods, the educator’s credentials and the company that is offering the course is crucial. Educators should offer support to students throughout the duration of the course, while completing case studies and after the course has been completed. www.the-fnp.com

/TheFNPUK

Online learning is not for everyone. Educators and students have individual needs and requirements, so have the right to choose whether this is for them or not. For some, the classroom environment is important, but for many this method of learning has offered excellent opportunities and results. Online learning is here to stay and will run alongside classroom training once we are able to re-open. It’s so important to find ways to continue to move forward in a positive and proactive manner. These times are extremely hard for the nail industry as a whole, so we salute the education providers and educators who have worked hard to create or adapt courses and develop methods of bringing high standard education online, making it accessible to all, and giving the industry the opportunity to develop, grow and move with the times. We find ourselves in unprecedented times, but it’s important to come out of it better and stronger. Online training is not as simple as ‘picking up a course and moving it online’, it affords the correct planning, equipment and delivery methods in order to flourish as a fabulous option for education that offers great opportunities to utilise this time in a constructive way. It’s certainly one of the positives to come out of this situation as it’s enabled the nail industry to recognise the need for such an accessible method of training. @the_fnp_

@the_fnp_

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 43

Any gel

Any lacquer

Any polish

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

Goodbye shaking. Goodbye separation. Goodbye thickening. Hello imix®

Say hello to the future of colour mixing. imix® is a new innovation that offers easy-to-use, hands-free blending of all gel polish and lacquer formulas. Magnetic mixing technology produces consistent, true colour and reduces wasted polish, which means more applications per bottle.

• Suitable for ALL gel polish and lacquer formulas • Small and very quiet – the perfect addition to every nail station • Programmable LED light display with the full spectrum of changeable colours Available March 2021

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

NAILTRENDS

THE SPRING/SUMMER 2021

D N E R T R U COLO

r s p ri n g /s u m m fo s k o lo rt a il a & tr e n d in g n s e d a h s l a n seaso T a k e n o te o f E RANDALL Lecenté Nail Art Foil in O L H C & L IL H Watercolour £3.99 + VAT BY KAT

THE TREND:

www.lecente.com www.sweetsquared.com www.ellisons.co.uk

OPI GelColor in Hollywood & Vibe £17.80 + VAT www.opiuk.com

Petal power

Flower power is back! Pastel, petal-like pops of pink, blue and lilac will be staples this season. To complement these pretty hues, be diverse in your nail designs to brighten up nail styling. Purple Professional Gel

Astonishing Nails Gelosophy Gel Polish in #2106 Touch Of Sky £14.81 + VAT www.astonishing-nails.co.uk

Maria Lafuente at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid.

Polish in Sweet Doll £POA www.purpleprofessional.pt

Colour note

Urban Graffiti Gel Polish in Frost £12.99 inc VAT www.naio-nails.com

LART Supreme Colour Powder in LS113 £11.27 + VAT www.lartnails.co.uk

GET THE LOOK

Colour note

Pantone has revealed its Fashion Color Trend Reports for spring/summer 2021 for both London and New York Fashion Week. Both reports feature stand-out shades set to make an impact this season.

“Sweet shades are just what we will be needing after the year we have all endured,” says Georgy Binns at Pure Nails. “Spread positive vibes through your nail work!”

The Gel Bottle Inc Gel Polish in June £14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

Recreate this pretty petal design by TGB brand ambassador, Charlotte Cliff, with a handy tutorial

Halo Gel Polish in Dreamer £4.99 + VAT www.purenails.co

PANTONE 15-3716 PANTONE 14-3205 Purple Rose: The mystical Pirouette: A diaphanous Purple Rose conveys a pink adds a tender touch. message of enchantment.

46 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

TREND TIP

“I think coloured acrylic powders are going to be popular,” comments Emma Sarda of Glitterama Nails. “The versatility that coloured acrylic powders oﬀer nail design and artistry is amazing.”

INK London iLac in i-32 Ultra Soft Pastel Lilac £7.50 + VAT www.inknails.com

NAILTRENDS

T R O P RE Light Elegance P+ Gel Polish in Lazy Day Lavender £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Artistic Colour Gloss in Don’t Call Me Sweetie £12.95 + VAT www.louellabelle.co.uk

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid.

A blue bloomer design by Mutsa Munyawiri (@im_pressd).

Salon System Gellux Gel Polish in Rocker Bye Baby £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

Colour note

“One trend to watch is a sorbet colour palette,” reveals Sadie Jordan, The Gel Bottle Inc nail expert. “Think sickly sweet pastel neons; anything bright and refreshing like a sorbet! I am expecting to see loads of animal print nail art but in a range of playful colour combinations.”

NSI Polish Pro in Bee’s Knees £10 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

TOP TIP

“During these times, the power of social media is a great way to promote your services,” states Joanne Thomas, The Gel Bottle Inc ambassador. Indigo Nails Gel Polish in “The latest craze is Reels on Instagram. Easter Twister £7.60 inc VAT When we are scrolling, we want to www.indigo-nails.co.uk see something quick. Reels are ideal as they are no longer than 30 seconds.” ‘

@gotlashedandnailedit used Bio Sculpture Evo shade, Carmen, to create this starry lilac look.

Bio Sculpture Evo in Carmen £17.50 + VAT www.renewbeauty.co.uk

Brand educator, Nicolette Safar-Manesh, uses a Magpie Beauty blue hue as the backdrop to her dreamy daisy design.

CND Shellac™ in Chance Taker £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Peacci‘ Nail Lacquer in Bonjour £6 + VAT/RRP £10 www.peacci.com

Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish in Beautiful Chaos £POA www.madamglam.com Macarena Chinea, The Pro Gel Ireland brand ambassador, creates this fluttering butterfly design in springtime shades of pink.

Colour note

Hannibal Laguna at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid.

“It’s a new year but pastels will always reign supreme for spring,” smiles Jade Taylor, marketing manager at Naio Nails. “Keep it cute with cotton candy striped designs.” SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 47

NAILTRENDS

THE TREND:

The new neutral Offer a neutral palette of tones for nailists seeking a minimal mani. Think warming beige, soft taupe and crisp white, paired with stone grey, rich leather brown and deep black. For a gilded touch, consider adding contrast with metallic nail art details.

Light Elegance ButterCream in Knockin’ Boots £15.45 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Featuring tones of green and brown, this nail style was created by Sam Wilson at The Pro Gel UK. Gilded tips feature in this take on the French manicure by TGB brand ambassador, Bryony Howell.

Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish in Hera £POA www.madamglam.com

Colour note

“Nudes as always will also be trending but opt for richer shades such as browns and beige this season,” says Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System nail expert & owner of Sketched by J-A Nails.

Jessica Custom Colour in Sand £5.50 + VAT RRP £11 www.gerrardinternational.com

Color Club Nail Lacquer in Silver Lining £4.99 + VAT www.nailorder.com

Paloma Suárez Fátima Miñana at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid.

TREND TIP: NAIL SHAPES

“I think we’ll see square nails in both short and long lengths, as well as round and almond nails,” states Deanna White of En Vogue Nails. “This trend is set to continue from last year, with square being the dominant shape.”

OPI GelColor in Movie Buff £17.80 + VAT www.opiuk.com

@nailsbyharriet creates this statement style with a variety of brown tones.

Colour note Black tips with an elegant gold heart complement the nude base in this design by @tiffanyabbigailebeauty.

PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray: Quietly assuring and reliable, Ultimate Gray encourages composure.

48 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Black and white contrast over a nude base in this design by @lee_beauty_studio.

Colour note

PANTONE 11-0202 Baby’s Breath: A tinted off-white lighter than air.

“Nail art trends are pointing towards milky nudes and quiet, abstract designs,” explains CND™ education ambassador, Susan McGirl. “Face mask match-ups are also allowing both the client and the nail tech a new form of expression!”

NAILTRENDS HD Nail Systems Colour It! Soak Off Gel Colour in Hammock £11.99 + VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

Magpie Beauty Gel Colour in Angelina Ballerina £9.95 + VAT www.magpiebeauty.co.uk Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish in Take Time & Unwind £16.99 + VAT www.gsgroupuk.com

Colour note

The Gel Bottle Inc Gel Polish in Doe £14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

“Nude nail tones are timeless,” smiles Jade Taylor, marketing manager at Naio Nails. “Opt for sheer nudes or find a shade that matches the colour of your client’s natural nail.”

Marian Newman & Kristine Toce for Halpern SS21 collection photo shoot in London.

Salon System Gellux Gel Polish in Keep It Real £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

Halo Gel Polish in Cloud 9 £4.99 + VAT www.purenails.co

Nail Gaga Gelore Soak Off Gel Polish in Pearl Oyster £11.85 inc VAT www.nailgaga.co.uk

Colour note

Swirls of white and silver create a neutral yet eye-catching look. By Bryony Howell.

Nynne at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

TREND TIP: NAIL DESIGNS

“Negative space designs are set to be Glitterama The Naked popular,” enthuses The Gel Bottle Collection Acrylic Powder Inc brand ambassador, Joanne Bundle from £15.99 + VAT Thomas. “This type of manicure has www.glitterama-nails.com a sheer, barely-there colour as a base. A minimal design is then applied to allow the base to peek through. Plus, this style of mani sees NSI Polish Pro Gel less obvious regrowth.”

“I think monochrome designs will remain popular this season,” states Magpie Beauty educator, Nicolette SafarManesh. “Spring and summer normally mean bright nail designs, however I think the monochrome trend will stick with the addition of a few floral or heart details.”

Polish in Bathtub Gin £15.40 + VAT www.nsinails.co.uk

CND Shellac™ in Change Sparker £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Marcos Luengo at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid.

Astonishing Nails Gelosophy Gel Polish in Touch of Nude £14.81 + VAT www.astonishing-nails.co.uk

‘

Saint Nails Gel Polish in Naked £8.99 inc VAT www.saintnails.com SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 49

NAILTRENDS

THE TREND:

Sunset shades

HD Nail Systems Colour It! Soak Off Gel Colour in Golden Sand £11.99 + VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

NailKind Nail Polish in Rockstar Rouge £POA/RRP £9.50 www.nailkind.com

Burn bright with bold reds, burning oranges and sandy yellows, as, this season, these hot shades are set to transport clients to the warmer climes of the desert at dusk.

Jessica Delachance created this tonal look as part of the CND™ ‘The Colors of You’ campaign for the brand’s spring collection.

INK London iLac in i-157 Sassy Yellow £7.50 + VAT www.inknails.com

OPI GelColor in I’m Really An Actress £17.80 + VAT www.opiuk.com

TREND TIP: NAIL SHAPES

Bio Sculpture Gel in Triginta £16.50 + VAT www.renewbeauty.co.uk

Purple Professional Gel Polish in Be Happy £POA www.purpleprofessional.pt

“I predict a stronger nail shape like square or squoval will be the popular nail shape,” says Emily Cording, Georgie Smedley Group ambassador. “Many of us have kept our nails manageable with a softer, rounded finish in lockdowns. This season is all about change with bold, striking nails.”

Color Club Nail Lacquer in Midas Touch £4.99 + VAT www.nailorder.com Accidental Cutting – Eva Iszoro Peter Sposito Studio at MercedesBenz Fashion Week, Madrid.

CND Shellac™ in Smile Maker £13.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

Light Elegance ButterCream in Sunrise £15.45 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

@__clbeauty on Instagram showcases this chic brown style using the shade Woody from The Gel Bottle Inc.

Jessica Custom Colour in Sun Glow £5.50 + VAT/RRP £11 www.gerrardinternational.com Esne at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid.

Colour note

PANTONE 14-1050 Marigold: A comforting golden orange infused yellow lends a warming presence.

PANTONE 16-1253 Orange Ochre: This earthy orange transcends the seasons. This fiery nail look was created by Victoria Nichol.

50 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

“Wearing a different shade on each nail is going to be trending this season,” states Susan McGirl, CND™ education ambassador.

NAILTRENDS Vu Nail Systems Gel-ato Gel Polish in Banana Split £10 inc VAT www.vunailsystems.com

Colour note

Indigo Nails Gel Polish in Trele Morele £7.60 inc VAT www.indigo-nails.co.uk

Zoya Nail Polish in Ella £6.66 + VAT/RRP £13.99 www.supernail.co.uk

“70s style interiors and fashions are making a comeback so bring this style to your nail art designs,” enthuses Jaz Moger, Salon System nail expert & owner of Paint by Jaz. “Think nudes, browns, mustard yellows, pinks, oranges and whites.”

Nynne at Copenhagen Fashion Week.

A matte finish complements this bold, red nail style with abstract black nail art. Created by Aida Adroniki Papa.

Peacci‘ Nail Lacquer in Water Lilly £6 + VAT/RRP £10 www.peacci.com

Hang Nguyen for the CND™ ‘The Colors of You’ campaign.

Salon System Gellux Gel Polish in Roll With It £11.95 + VAT. Available from wholesalers nationwide.

en Vogue Lac It! in Teeny Bikini £POA www.envoguenails.com

Julia Diogo created this stunning red nail style, ideal for the golden hour. Amy at Haüs of Nails creates a statement with a milagro heart charm. ‘

Gelish Soak Off Gel Polish in Dancin In The Sunlight £16.99 + VAT www.gsgroupuk.com

Lecenté Nail Art Foil in Pink Sky £3.99+ VAT www.lecente.com www.sweetsquared.com www.ellisons.co.uk

Pertegaz at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Madrid.

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 51

NAILTALES



INTERNATIONAL

Nail Spy Scratch’s KAT HILL explores nail & beauty trends & news in F R A N C E …

Meet the nail pro… Name: Sylvie Vacca Job title: Nail artist Business name: Caméléongles Location: Paris, France

My story After being inspired on a trip to Japan in 2007, I returned home with a desire to work in the world of nail design. At the end of 2009, I started my journey as a mobile nail technician and in 2016, I had the pleasure of assisting Marian Newman at a showcase in Paris for French designer, Mugler. Here, I discovered the wonderful world of session work and I learned so much by Marian’s side. Since then, I’ve worked with other great nail artists such as Jenny Longworth, Mei Kawajiri and Naomi Yasuda for Fashion Week shows, worked with celebrities and on editorials and campaigns.

Nail styles Treatments using gel polish are most requested by my clients and they tend to choose a red nail colour in a squoval shape. Baby boomer designs and 3D designs are also popular.

Points of difference If you’d asked me a few years ago, I would have said that French clients like classic styles such as short, red or French nails. However, I believe the trend has changed in the last few years. Now, more are asking for long, decorated nails, inspired by English and American nail artists. www.cameleongles.com /nailsbysylvievacca @cameleongles

Brand spotlight:

KURE BAZAAR Created in line with the mantra ‘fashion meets nature’, Kure Bazaar was founded in Paris in 2012 by Christian David. “The brand is known for its colour effects and vegan formula that is up to 90% natural,” explains Christian. “It contains potatoes, wheat, wood pulp, cotton, corn, vitamin E and bamboo.”

Kartika Luyet

With over 80 nail colours currently available, the brand has also turned its attention to care products including cuticle oils, nail balms and treatment masks, with fashion model, Kartika Luyet, as its artistic director.

“Our colours are very classic,” states Christian. "Our best-selling shades include: Cherie, our quintessential dark red; French Rose, a sheer pink nude; and, Rose Milk, our classic sheer pink.” With a nail bar in Le Bon Marché, a top department store in the city, the team is able to offer nail treatments to a huge number of Parisian clients. “The top trend is a nude or transparent beige shade, creating a natural French Manicure without using the white colour,” Christian adds. www.kurebazaar.com

Industry insider France is the leading exporter of cosmetics and dominates the global market, with a turnover of nearly £14 billion. By comparison, the UK is 10th with a turnover of £1.8 billion and a global export market share of 3.6%. Source: www.alioze.com

FIT FOR A KING!

In the 1770s, French King, Louis XVI, used manicure tool sets made of gold and silver. According to historical sources, the king was partial to a manicure and had his nails taken care of with these decadent tools. 52 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

GLOW UP FROM THE GELBOTTLE INC

FREE

Education GET REINSPIRED T H I S LO C K D O W N

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COLOURS

AND COUNTING! FIND OUT OUR BEST SELLING SHADES AROUND THE WORLD

S T R O N G & H E A LT H Y N AT U R A L N A I L S

AROUND THE WORLD IN MANY SHADES

THE GELBOTTLE INC

Around the world in many shades The ultimate GLOW UP, The Gelbottle Inc has come a long way since its humble beginnings in a tiny salon basement in Brighton. Since then we’ve been driving the nail industry forward by innovating new products, curating stunning trend setting collections and partnering with some incredible Brand Ambassadors around the world. We now have distributors in 20+

1 DIANA

countries, so wherever you might be in the world, you can be sure to get your hands on our colours. With a collection of over 470+ colours available in the TGB gel polish range, you may be curious to find out which colours are #trending around the world. Join us on a colourful journey, exploring best-selling colours around the globe.

3 P E TA L

Diana is a classic sheer white, pure and timeless just like the People’s Princess.

Our ethereal cool pink is as pretty and delicate as a petal. Bestseller: Ireland

Bestseller: USA, Norway

2 MADONNA Madonna is the adventurous and vivid pink which really stands out from the crowd.

Bestseller: Slovenia

5 VA N I L L A 4 M A R S H M A L LO W

Soft, warm and sweet, a timeless sheer pink, a true classic for any season. Bestseller: UK, Australia

A creamy and sheer staple that is here to stay and marks a new era as the nu nude for the alabaster queens. Bestseller: Benelux

T G B G LO W U P

AROUND THE WORLD IN MANY SHADES

9 M E R LO T

6 ROSE GOLD

7 ARABIAN NIGHT

Add a touch of glam with Rose Gold, a sparkly full coverage shade with tones of pink and gold combined with a foil-like finish.

Achieve dramatic vampire vibes with this rich deep burgundy.

Merlot is a deep wine colour, with bursting notes of pigment, class and sumptuous autumn style. Bestseller: Spain

Bestseller: Portugal

1 0 CA N DY Bright and Bold, the shade that will make your mani ‘pop’!

Bestseller: New Zealand

8 C O C OA Definitely not edible but this delicious earthy brown will make you melt like chocolate.

Bestseller: Germany

Bestseller: Sweden

11 IVY Draped in jewels, velvet, pearls and silk, Ivy is the essential partner to any regal party-goer. Bestseller: France

12 OPHELIA Exude endless beauty with this cool mauve. Apply as a nude or achieve a deeper hue with additional coats. Bestseller: Malta

Join us on a colourful journey around the globe, exploring best-selling colours from TGB distributors.

T G B G LO W U P

13 JUNGLE Go deep into the Jungle with this intense dark green shade. 13

Bestseller: Denmark

N A I L YO U R S K I L L S

Nail Your Skills Make the most of having more time on your hands... From absolute beginners to those looking to advance their skillset, TGB Academy workshops are a great way to perfect your talents and learn from the finest educators in the industry.

FREE WORKSHOPS

“Keep your nail passion ignited.”

TGB Academy are hosting free workshops three times a week during lockdown to help you develop your skills, brush up on your knowledge and keep your nail passion ignited.

A F F O R DA B L E WORKSHOPS TGB Academy will continue to host a series of advanced paid workshops. Join our educators for a 1-hour workshop in an area of their expertise, where they’ll cover a wide range of topics and technical skills to give you the opportunity to get creative and expand your skill set, all from the comfort of your home.

Find details on upcoming workshops:

@tgbacademy on Instagram 04

T G B G LO W U P

N A I L YO U R S K I L L S

E A R N AT H O M E W I T H P E AC C I TGB is here to support you during lockdown including an increased 20% commission rate for our online Brand Partner opportunity, which is exclusively for nail and beauty professionals. So far we have given back over £125,000 in commission and tips to nail technicians through the Peacci Brand Partner Programme.

Earn 20% Commission On all Peacci sales you make during lockdown

Your Customers Save 10% On all Peacci products (including sales and offers)

Simple online Referral Programme No need to buy or hold stock

Exclusive Preview Opportunities For new products and offers

FREE Marketing Pack To help you promote Peacci

Ongoing Support

“We have given back over £125,000 in commission & tips to nail technicians” T G B G LO W U P

As you continue to grow with us

Find out more at:

www.peacci.com/earnmore 05

I N N O VAT I N G T H E N A I L I N D U S T R Y

Innovating the nail industry At TGB we don’t follow the trends, we set them! We don’t put up with problems, we solve them! Innovation is at the core of everything we do, creating solutions to make YOUR life as a nail tech easier. We want you to do what you do best, without worrying about the little things.

BIAB

BEFORE

AFTER

The original soak-off builder gel, now known as a miracle product for clients who want to grow their nails. BIAB™ is perfect for sculpting supportive overlays and is self-levelling, so you can achieve perfect results without refining.

T H E N E W C O LO U R B I B L E I S H E R E ! Still using entailed nail pops on rings? Babes, get with the times! The TGB SwatchPro™ is the salon wonder product you never knew you always needed.

•

Professional and tidy swatches your clients will love

•

Arrange your nail pops in an aesthetically pleasing way

•

Demonstrate and show off your nail art skills to inspire clients

•

Clients can try on your colours and nail art to get a feel for how it looks on them

•

Holds 120 nail pops

T G B G LO W U P

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST HEADERHERE

GROW & GLOW WITH

e i d d a M HOW TO STAND OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

s business owners or nail professionals, the majority of us are using social media to market our salon and strive for bigger and better results.

I cannot claim to be an expert. Like most of us, I am self-taught when it comes to social media. I simply observe what works, as do my team members with their own accounts. We share our knowledge to ensure all aspects of our salon benefit from our collective efforts. Social media is a great way to raise awareness of your salon and the services it supplies. It helps you to engage with both your current and potential clients, as well as creating brand loyalty by showing the world what makes you unique. I have noticed that since the start of the pandemic, social media has gathered pace. It’s attracting a new demographic and an increasingly digital-savvy audience. This means that there is increased pressure on salons to strengthen their online presence, investing time and effort in more than just one social media platform. Although Facebook and Instagram are still the dominant channels, platforms such as Snapchat and TikTok are growing and will boom this year. This will encourage businesses to communicate in a completely different way.

Talented salon tech, nail artist & educator, MADDIE REGAN, shares her advice on salon matters to help your business bloom… TOP TIPS

Instagram has worked well for us at the salon, so here are a few things that we have learned along the way: • Instagram users tend to be young and up-to-date with trends, so make sure you develop a consistent feed of aesthetically pleasing, feel-good posts. • Hashtags are a great way to get your photo seen by users that aren’t following you. Use niche hashtags, as well as generic ones. Instagram allows 30 hashtags, so use them all. Experiment to see which work best for you. Use them to point out your location, too. Future customers who are looking for a salon nearby may stumble upon your post. • Use before and after pictures to showcase your talent. Reviews and testimonials don’t need to just be text posts: transformations can grab the attention of users. • Respond to comments. If someone takes the time to leave you a meaningful comment or a question, let them know you appreciate it by responding.

It is crucial that salons know how to connect with their customers through the variety of channels in a way that clients will enjoy and from which the business will benefit. It is time consuming to get it right and keep the quality of the messaging consistent.

• Find others in your community. It’s not called social media for nothing: you need to be social. Connect with others in your niche and engage! Follow accounts you find inspiring. Like and comment whenever a photo piques your interest.

The simple truth is that social media posts should be interesting and engaging, while communicating new sources of information. Content is key: it needs to be planned and reflect what both your clients and followers want to hear about and what they are interested in.

• Analyse the types of images that are working well and which ones aren’t. What is your best posting time? Which photos instigated spikes in that growth? Which photos have the highest number of likes and best engagement rates?

At 81 Rose Garden, we keep a constant eye on what our followers respond to. Personally, I get a good reaction to posts of my nail art and my top tips, while video clips and infographics are always a hit. However, I am constantly learning. Whatever platforms you use, social media can build brand loyalty, gain and retain new clients and develop a great relationship with your followers.

Maddie x

• Tag brands in your photos and encourage brands and your customers to tag you. • Host a promotion, giveaway or competition and get more followers. It should be easy for them to participate. • Comment where possible on beauty industry issues.

www.81rosegarden.com

/81RoseGarden

@maddisonrosenails & @81rosegarden SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK xxx 59

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST COLUMNIST

Elevate your nail artistry, social media, business skills & more with tips from Clawgasmic co-founder, CHANTELLE VERMONT…

ABOUT CHANTELLE VERMONT (CHAN) Chan has been working as a nail technician for 16 years and ran her own nail studio for seven years before launching Clawgasmic with her marketeer partner, Jouvan Johnson. With a passion for nail art, Chan helps fellow techs to improve their skills, grow their business and gain confidence through the Clawgasmic community. The talented tech has completed six seasons at London Fashion Week and has grown a vast social media following owning to her dedication to uplifting fellow pros in the industry.

do not need to focus on the numbers. Instead, focus on creating great content that showcases your skills and entices people to want to book an appointment with you.

here is no denying that a social media presence will help promote and support your business in a big way. Social media platforms allow you to reach people from all over the quickly, making it easy to connect with other nail techs. For lone workers, social media affords a social element and offers the chance to share tips and tricks.

Having a large following doesn’t mean you have large numbers of bums on seats in your nail space or consistent income from your clients. For a following of 35,000, there is no way you’d be able to do 35,000 sets of nails regularly. So, if you have 20-50 loyal followers that turn into customers that you see every three weeks, you will have an amazing business base. Don’t lose sight of your vision by chasing followers for followers’ sake. Instead, think about what you need social media to do for you and your business.

You can learn and teach via social media while also presenting a brand and building a following that can lead to other opportunities, which I’ll share next month. So, what is the best way to grow your following? Where do you start – and do you need to? To use social media (Instagram in particular) to get more clients through your door, you

Chan x

TOP TIPS FOR ATTRACTING CLIENTS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA 1. Create a solid brand Pick a colour theme, have a logo created and make your profile a good representation of your salon/business. Use the same colourway or logo in the highlights section at the top of your profile. Feature the important information that new clients will be looking for, such as prices and policies. Also, make sure you publish any achievements. If you work in a team, post a picture and a bio about each member. Showcase some of your most popular nail looks or treatment info too. TIP: Use the app, Canva, to help create business logos and logos for your highlights section for free!

2. Perfect your nail photos Get creative with your clients or when you do your own nails and take lots of 60 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

pictures. You can’t beat natural daylight, so head to a window or go outside if you can. If you don’t have access to that, use a ring light or the lamp on your desk.

local area and town. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post so make the most of this and use them every time.

4. Partner up

Encourage your clients to take their own photos of their nails and tag your account so you can comment on them too. People like to feel involved and I’m sure they will be keen to show off any new nail styles. It also means that your name will reach further as the client will share your work with their following. What’s more, people are more likely to book with someone based on a friendly recommendation.

Do giveaways with local businesses that can complement yours, such as hairdressers, estheticians and make-up artists. Consider a treatment swap with them and take pictures to put on both of your social media accounts to help spread the word about each other. Consider how many people will see your work if you offered a couple of free sets of nails to local hairdressers or make-up artists.

3. Submerge yourself in the local community

Instagram is promoting its Reels feature in a big way, so get your work noticed even more by having fun with Reels. Post step-bysteps, Reels of your stock, new collections or your setup.

Use hashtags that are relevant to the picture such as #frenchmanicure or #ombre but also include ones for your

5. Try Reel-ing

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

STEP-BY-STEP: SPRING PASTEL PRETTIES Spring has arrived and I love using pastel nail shades to create designs. I couldn’t just choose a few – so I opted for five, alongside a touch of sparkle.

Step 1 Apply gel polish base coat and two coats of a nude gel polish shade, curing between each layer. Apply some nail art flakes randomly and follow with a nonwipe top coat. Step 2 Using pastel gel paints or art gels with a thin nail art brush, paint stripes across the nail in each colour. If you do not have pastel shades, mix white with your bold gel polish hues. I used Magpie Beauty’s Neon Gel Paints mixed with the brand’s white gel polish to create the shades shown. Cure. Step 3 Repeat step 2 with the same shades, but paint in the opposite direction so the lines cross. Cure. Step 4 Paint a border around the edge of the nail using each of the five shades. If using gel polish, apply another layer of top coat to finish and cure.

TECH TALK

One nail artist that needs to be on your radar is Rebekah Pritchard aka @thebeautyspotstreetly on Instagram. She has such a big heart and her work is amazing! She creates nail looks that I’ve never seen before and has such a great signature style. I’m grateful that our paths have crossed as I think she’s incredible.

How did your journey into the nail industry begin? Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to be a beautician. I remember persuading my little sister to let me practise make-up and nail designs on her when I was very young. I’ve always been into anything beauty and fashion related, so when I left school I decided to go to college to train in beauty therapy. I feel extremely lucky to have always known what career path I wanted to follow. After working in a salon for four years, my sister and I decided to open a salon of our own and we celebrated 10 years in business last year.

6. Get social This is the most important tip as it’s called ‘social media’ for a reason. Comment on other profiles in your area with real, genuine comments and create connections. ‘Like’ the work of others in your area and message people to inform them about any deals or offers you are running. Set a timer for 20 minutes every day, and use that time purely to be social.

Social media is one of the best ways to market yourself and it’s free! Growing your following takes a lot of work and dedication. Don’t expect hundreds of new followers overnight. One of the key things is to be consistent over a period of time. The number of followers you have does not define you, your work or represent how great you are as a nail tech. You are incredible with one or one million followers – so be you, have fun and keep going.

What are your favourite looks to create and what inspires you? I love creating looks with negative space and my favourite designs are abstract with lots of movement. I gravitate towards earthy colours, but have recently tried to experiment with colour. I enjoy challenging myself!

What advice would you give to nail artists new to the industry? Training is key! Your education is so important. Find a brand that you love and invest in quality tools as you will use them every day. Have confidence in yourself and practise, as it really does make perfect. If you have passion for the craft, you will keep pushing yourself to succeed. Treat every set of nails you do as importantly as the last and clients will see your drive and stay loyal. What do you love most about being a nail technician? I love it when I’ve finished a set of nails and I look up and the client’s face lights up with happiness. That feeling is the best! I always think ‘I did that, I made someone happy.’ For a full nail art video tutorial of this look and to gain access to over 90 other tutorials, check out the Clawgasmic Nail Network: www.clawgasmic.com /clawgasmic @clawgasmic SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 61

SALONSPOTLIGHTS

Through the

Keyhole

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

Hannah Taylor Beauty and Make Up Location: Kidderminster

“My salon premises now couldn’t be more different to its previous life as a derelict pub,” smiles Hannah Taylor. “I used to pass it and daydream about its potential.” After a complete renovation, the salon opened its doors in time for Christmas 2018 – complete with a blush décor. “The salon is based in a semi-rural area, so I wanted something fresh and modern,” Hannah continues. “I knew the décor had to be pink and gold, with bespoke floral accents.” The building needed a lot of work but this allowed Hannah to design the salon’s layout from scratch to create her dream workspace. The nail area features three pink Concorde Nail Tables from REM. “The space offers a sociable experience, in which our clients can chat to each other and the team,” Hannah smiles. “There are four treatment rooms to allow for privacy during waxing, facials and aesthetics services. “Clients have commented that when they walk in it feels like stepping into a ‘pink haze of relaxation’. It’s a joy to see the effect this indulgent environment has on our clients.” /muahannahtaylor

@mua_hannahtaylor

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

The CaraGlam Location: Huddersfield

“After leaving my job managing a beauty salon due to the pandemic and not having childcare for my youngest daughter, I decided I needed to commence a role that would work around family life,” explains Helen Marshall. “I decided to buy an old caravan to renovate into a beauty haven. My garden has limited space, so when I found ‘CiCi’, my 1970s vintage caravan, her 10ft long size fitted the area perfectly.” With a tight budget, Helen spent a few months decorating and creating her workspace. “As the salon is in my garden, I wanted the décor to include flowers and plants and lots of different textures,” Helen continues. “I selected tropical wallpaper and macrame cushions to give the space a Scandi-boho feel. “I especially love my nail booth and the versatility it gives me as it folds away. It means I even have room for my beauty bed.” /The CaraGlam 62 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

@theCaraglam

Solo Beauty – Workington, Cumbria

There’s nothing more rewarding than helping to achieve the vision and dreams of a successful business. Working with Amelia Wilson Interiors on the Solo Beauty project gave us the opportunity to showcase some of our finest furniture. Owner Kerry Hayston chose the REM Dream Pedispas, Florence Nail Bars and Futura Seating for her stunning Workington Beauty Salon.

t: 01282 619 977 e: sales@rem.co.uk w: www.rem.co.uk

INDUSTRYINCLUSIVITY

ACCESS ALL

areas Scratch puts the focus on back, shoulder, neck, wrist & finger health issues & serves up advice to ease & manage pain

The nail professional is renowned for caring & nurturing, yet not so good at self-care, love & health. Poor posture, back-to-back clients and long days at the nail desk are common aspects attributed to a profession in nails. Many expert techs speak of their encounters with back, shoulder, neck, wrist and finger health issues, which many believe had they addressed when first felt, could have been navigated with more positive long-term results. We now have the wisdom, the time, the products and the means to address some of these health issues. Here, Scratch invites a wealth of industry figures to offer their advice and recommendations…

ALL ABOUT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME By Rodion Erovenkov Surgeon & president at FootPraktik Clinic, diabetic foot syndrome specialist, member of Society of Surgeons & Society of Vascular Surgery in Russia @rodionerovenkov @foot_praktik

What is it?

The carpal tunnel of the wrist is a narrow tunnel that runs the median nerve. The median nerve supplies three fingers of the hand. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a neurological condition that occurs when the tissue in the carpal canal gets swollen and compresses the median nerve, which leads to the development of various symptoms associated with permanent injuries to the nerve. This can lead to the feeling of pain or numbness in the fingers of the hand. Some people have a narrow carpal tunnel from birth, which makes them more prone to developing carpal tunnel syndrome in the future. Some occupations, including manicure and pedicure technicians, deserve special measures and preventative measures to avoid the condition due to the physical nature of the role.

Causes:

• Frequent and repetitive movements, prolonged, static and heavy load on the hand or fingers. • Performing movements that require physical effort. • Neuromas (nerve tumours). • Sprains, strains to the joints or ligaments and other injuries of the wrist. • Vitamin B6 deficiency. • Other causes, which can be associated with general diseases, taking certain medications, genetic predisposition, etc.

64 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Symptoms: • • • • • •

Pain in the wrist, often from the palmar side of the wrist. Acute burning in the palm and fingers. Numbness and tingling, most often in the first three fingers. Muscle weakness. Difficulty or total inability to clench a fist. Stiffness in the joints of the hand and fingers.

Diagnosis

When you feel the first signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, you need to see a doctor for professional help. A doctor will perform the diagnostic functional tests to confirm the condition. Sometimes, an ultrasound scan or MRI are necessary to determine the exact location of the nerve compression. The special method of electroneuromyography is also administered to evaluate the severity of nerve damage.

Treatment

The task of treatment is to relieve pressure on the median nerve. The conservative or surgical treatment can be used, but it depends on the duration of the process and the severity of the symptoms. The conservative (non-surgical treatment) is helpful for initial stages of the disease. In most severe cases, only surgery solves the problem completely. Your doctor may recommend one of the following courses of the conservative therapy:

INDUSTRYINCLUSIVITY

TOP TIPS FOR REDUCING RISKS

Antony Buckley, European director of education & dean of education for Nail Alliance, shares ways to reduce the risk of RSI or trauma to the hands, fingers and more…

“Nail artists run the risk of repetitive strain injuries or cumulative trauma disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, myalgia, and tenosynovitis. A nail artist will find that their neck, shoulders, arms, hands and fingers are most at risk from disorders and steps should be taken to minimise the risks. • Take regular breaks. Try not to work a full day without at least one 15-minute break. Ideally, you should take multiple breaks throughout the day. • Perform stretching exercises. Even if you don’t have time for a full break, make sure to take a few minutes to perform stretching exercises for the fingers, wrists, hands, arms, shoulders and neck. • Vary or rotate tasks. Try and intersperse lengthy, demanding treatments with easier ones, or try and vary your offerings throughout the day. This will give your muscles time to recover, as different treatments put a different strain on the muscles. • Do not grip your tools. You need to hold manicure tools firmly as you work, but try not to grip too tightly or for too long, as this will put unnecessary strain on your muscles.”

REASONS & HABITS

Samantha Sweet, CCO & co-founder of Sweet Squared, shares why RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome are common for nail pros…

“RSI and carpal tunnel have always been a likelihood for nail pros due to the nature of the job. However, there are ways to alleviate these conditions and it comes down to good education, good practise, posture and taking breaks. “Filing is the biggest culprit to cause CTS for a nail professional, as is regular, vigorous shaking of product bottles. Working smarter, not harder, is key. The perfect application means minimal grit filing, as there’s so little to do. E-files can also help if used correctly and education is key here. Also consider using the imix to take the stress out of shaking gel polish and lacquer for every service.” www.sweetsquared.com

imix £54.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

@antony_harmony

• Rest of the wrist and hand. • Application of removable medical splints – for supporting and immobilising the hand and wrist to avoid the mechanical stress. This will help reduce swelling and relieve symptoms. • Physiotherapy. • Prescription of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). • Local application of anti-inflammatory topicals. • When pain persists along with severe restrictions on movement, and the conservative methods are ineffective, only surgery helps to cure the condition.

Prevention

As the ‘father of medicine’, Hippocrates said: “The best treatment is prevention.” The main preventive measures are: • Frequently change the type of activity to decrease the physical load on the hands. • If it’s impossible to change the activity, the rule of thumb is – alternate work with relaxation. Periods of complete relaxation should be two to three times longer than the periods of working loads on your hands. • The special gymnastics for the hands and wrists bring excellent results. The hand work and the gymnastic should follow one another during the working day. • When you work with manicure or pedicure tools, avoid the excessive tension in your wrist and fingers. Following the proper professional technique is key to preventing the disease, since the technique and rules are composed according to the rules of occupational hygiene. • When you operate an e-file, frequently change the position of the handle in your wrist according to the professional technique. • If your doctor has prescribed the wearing of a wrist splint, wear it between the services you perform. Scan here to watch a video on Hand & Wrist Gymnastics for Nail Pros

Suzi at the nail desk prior to the pandemic

HANDY PRODUCT: THE NAIL BUDDY

Suzi Sturge, founder of The Majique Nail Buddy, reveals why she created the product & how it can support those with CTS… “My CTS came on suddenly when I started the menopause. At first, I thought I’d strained my wrist, however, after visiting the doctor, I was sent for tests that showed I had a sudden onset of carpal tunnel, which got increasingly worse over a couple of years. “I’ve had three rounds of steroids in each wrist and now I’m waiting for an operation. I admit, it’s thanks to the Nail Buddy that I’m still able to do treatments. I found holding the bottle in one position made my hand so numb I could not even feel it. It became very hard for me in front of clients as I was constantly having to flick my hand and try to get the feeling back into it. With this product, don’t have to hold the bottle in my hand while painting nails and the polish bottle is held tightly in one position, just as if my hand were holding it. “When you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you appreciate that keeping your hand in one position for any small length of time can make your hand turn completely numb. Therefore, any product that can ease this is fantastic.” The Nail Buddy is £14.99 and available via www.nailbuddy.co.uk >> SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 65

INDUSTRYINCLUSIVITY

HANDY PRODUCT: WRIST-ASSIST

Robin Stopper, nail tech & creator of the Wrist-Assist, shares how this product can support the hands and wrists…

“Thirteen years into my career as a nail artist, I had a successful nail salon and was working full-time. Life was great, I loved going to the salon, perfecting my skills through education, practise and visiting my clients. However, in 1998 I was in a car accident, diagnosed with a bulging disc and went through therapy; I never missed a single day of work but never really seemed to come out of the pain. The fatigue from the repetitive strain of doing nails became unbearable. “The constant hunching, lifting, twisting and turning of my clients’ arms, hands and fingers to get them into the proper position was exhausting and painful. After months of doctor visits, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The doctors told me being a nail artist was the worst thing I could be doing for my body and to give it up. That was not an option for me. I had to figure out a way to continue doing what I loved. “I looked at the Cornell University ergonomics website and realised I needed to change my position while doing nails to eliminate the repetitive strain I was experiencing. Ergonomics is defined as, ‘The science of adapting working conditions to the needs of the worker’. I knew I needed a tool that would help me with this. I searched the internet and patent office website. There were only two devices on the market at that time; one for holding the client’s hands in a horizontal position and one for the vertical position. I wanted something that did both. “One evening, I looked down at a lit candle and the answer came to me! I recognised that if the candle was sideways, and attached to another, it would support the clients’ wrist at the exact height I needed them to be. The weight of the client’s arm would be eliminated and it would roll so I could bring them close to me and stop reaching across the station to pull their hands closer. This would allow me to sit up straight and improve my posture. The client would also know exactly where I needed their hand to be, stop trying to ‘help’ me, and relax. “I realised I could turn it upright and rest the client’s palm over it for higher staility. I could sew and stuff a cushion to go around it to make it comfortable for the client too. It worked so well! I eventually became pain-free and able to perform my job easier and faster than ever. I knew if it helped me feel better through proper ergonomic positioning, it could help other nail techs too. It could also eliminate new nail artists from ever experiencing these repetitive strain injuries. “Fast forward to 36 years later. I’m grateful I’m still doing what I love. Performing services as a nail artist as well as making my Wrist-Assist product. I’ve had two cervical disc replacements with fusion and only missed a total of two weeks of work due to recovery. This was possible due to the help of Wrist-Assist.” The Wrist-Assist is distributed by www.katiebarnesacademy.com & www.Luvnailz.com 66 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Robin (centre) with Wrist-Assist distributors, Katie Barnes & Jessica Briarmoon

RSI & WAYS TO HELP

Award-winning tech & product distributor, Katie Barnes, shares information about repetitive strain injury (RSI) & why she’s a fan of Wrist-Assist…

“RSI is caused by a repetitive movement. Think about your working environment and what activity may be causing the problem. If it’s filing, master product control so you only need to refine the product. Using a new file on each client will ease muscle strain and save time, as this will reduce unnecessary pressure being used to achieve the same result from a file that has been worn down. Rest is recommended to help let the strain recover, however busy techs, many self-employed, cannot rest. “It’s important to take a break from repetitive activity. While techs don’t always have time to take regular breaks, it’s important to change position frequently, and not hold any posture or position for long periods. Techs may be sat behind a desk, but a simple movement such as standing up to greet a client can be beneficial. Neck, hand and wrist stretches can alleviate stress on joints and be done quickly while making a client a beverage, washing hands or using the bathroom. “Techs often work with very little or incorrect support under the client’s wrist. When working with no support, it can often seem that they’re holding a client’s hand with a gentle and relaxed hold, but the reality is that the wrists and hands are being repeatedly strained. Over time, the added weight, combined with the repetitive motion, takes its toll on the muscles and joints and can cause long-term problems, such as arthritis, RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome. “Some type of rest should bear the client’s weight and Wrist-Assist was invented for this purpose. It maintains a full range of motion for the client, while keeping their wrist supported and the hand limp. This alleviates the need for the tech to support the weight of the entire arm during the service and prevents the customer from ‘fighting’ with the tech for control of their fingers. Correct hand positioning requires education for the client on how to hold their hands. “Tools should be kept in top condition. When a tool is stiff or blunt or the components aren’t well put together, more pressure is required for the same result. The more pressure required; the more pressure is put on a tech’s hand. Scissors in the Katie Barnes tool range have a spring handle, and the pivot point is perfectly lined, offering a smooth cutting motion with little pressure required. This lighter pressure means the tech can use the thumb and finger/two fingers just like tweezers, which is better on the hands. Using regular handled scissors and nippers can be stiff and cause more pressure on the hands. Nippers are clumpier, heavier and stiffer, so a much stronger and wholehand grip is required and more force is needed to achieve results.” Products mentioned are available via www.katiebarnesacademy.com

Tech talk

Simone Radley, INK London educator, shares her experience with CTS…

“I’d never heard of carpal tunnel until the day I had an awful pain radiating from my elbow, with numbness, pins and needles down my little finger and a weak grip. I needed nerve tests and was told it was mild carpal tunnel syndrome. I was advised if I took preventative measures it should be ok. “I experience problems in my left arm (I’m right handed), where the ulna nerve gets pinched at the elbow, which occurs from being bent as I lean on it while doing nails. Now, I make sure that I flex my arms as much as possible between clients and also use a gel pad under my elbow and a long gel pad for my arm to rest on. This has pretty much eliminated the problem.” www.simoneradleynails.com

INDUSTRYINCLUSIVITY

PREVENTION & POSTURE Sam Biddle, industry educator, mentor, expert, judge & influence, shares why good posture and positioning are important factors in preventing problems…

“My neck and back have suffered due to doing nails and poor posture. I would definitely go back to my 30-year-old self and tell her to get a good chair and sit up straight if I could! Techs work long hours without a break and need to invest in the right equipment and tools to help alleviate the pain. “Even working at my desk now, I have a special mouse for my wrist position. Tens machines work wonders, as does holistic pain relief and acupuncture. You need to reduce the tight band around the bundle of nerves and this is done by relaxing the position of the hand. Carpal tunnel is not always due to outside influences, it is well documented that it can be genetic, mainly from Scandinavian descent. “Nail techs don’t imagine that sitting around all day can aggravate the neck, back, wrists and eyes to debilitating degrees. I certainly attribute my disability to working like I did for 20 years, even though it was always going to happen, it was made worse, sooner.” www.beinspired.com

TOP TIPS TO PREVENT TRAUMA

Marian Newman BEM, co-founder of The Federation of Nail Professionals, shares advice to help ease strain while tekking…

“When you start out in a career as a nail professional, the last thing on your mind is your physical health. It certainly wasn’t on mine over 30 years ago. However, we do need to realise this job has a massive impact on how the body will behave in years to come. I won’t list my subsequent injuries, but they are severe and life changing. “RSI and CTS are two of the many. Buffing and filing with stiff hands will result, eventually, in injuries. The easiest solution is to keep tension out of the hands, wrists and arms plus regularly do exercises for these areas. Shrug and rotate your shoulders; shake out your arms; do several wrist rotations; flex and move your fingers often. “If you’re very busy with buffing, then consider investment in a good quality e-file with good quality education. This will save a lot of trauma to your muscles and ligaments. Buy cheap; buy twice! A poor quality e-file will create more chance of injury due to the vibration. Poor education will result in damaged clients and damaged nails.” www.the-fnp.com

HANDY PRODUCT: GB WRIST RESTS

Sheffield sole trader, Gary Brooker, created a wrist rest for his wife, Lauren, a nail technician, to help ease the stiffness she was suffering in her shoulder, upper back and neck through daily tekking. Gary received an influx of orders for fellow techs wanting a GB Wrist Rest. The handy desk addition is constructed with heavy duty, wipe-clean vinyl, two inches of memory foam for comfort and suckered feet at the end of solid chrome metal legs to grip onto any textured surface. They have been manufactured to help improve posture for both clients and nail technicians and are large enough to fit most nail lamps underneath in order to save space. GB Wrist Rests are available in a variety of colour ways and sizes via www.gbwristrests.com

Tech talk

Nicole Dowling, Pure Nails educator, shares how she has navigated work life with RSI and backache…

“Working as a nail tech and doing the job I love comes with its disadvantages. I’ve been a tech for almost 16 years and have experienced a few health problems associated with this profession, one being RSI. It occurs most often when I see clients back-to-back and work long days. After a long week, my hands cramp up, especially my thumb, and I end up in horrendous pain. “After a few visits to my GP, I was advised to stop working for five minutes at a time and give my hands a rest with a little massage. This has helped to reduce the pain and stopped my hands from cramping. As nail techs, we worry about running behind if we stop and take a break, but we really should put our health first. My clients understand, especially when they can see my hands cramping up. “Another problem techs experience is backache. Last year, I bought a saddle chair, which has completely changed the game. Tina Bell of Pure Nails recommended it and I’m forever thankful. Its design forces me to sit up straight in the correct posture and I make sure to take regular breaks and a stretch if I need to.” www.totallypolishednails.co.uk / www.purenails.co

ADAPT & ALLEVIATE Alisha Rimando, US nail industry expert educator, judge, mentor & influencer, shares ways to alleviate CTS and RSI…

“Correct posture and filing techniques can save you not only neck and back pain, but most importantly carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Using your entire arm, shoulder and elbow, instead of your wrist during hand-filing will help enormously. I’ve taught thousands of techs proper filing techniques that not only improved the look of their nails, but has kept CTS away. That’s for your right hand, if you’re right-handed. “For your left hand, arm wrestling clients to keep them still has caused me more pain than any filing or application I’ve done in 27 years doing nails. All of your clients are different; there’s the sleepers, the phone checkers and the ‘lookers’ (the worst). If they can see it, you can’t, so the arm wrestling ensues. This can cause the left hand and wrist to tucker out and develop CTS before the repetitive motion issues ever affect your right hand. “Make sure you have multiple options for client elbow resting. The wedge sponge table topper can help or even a soft folded towel, but your neck and head are still down. Whatever you choose, try to keep your client’s elbow on the table, their hand up, with wrist bent so you can see their nails, and they can’t. This way, you can move their entire arm easily, left, right and centre. The nails are closer to eye level so you aren’t leaning down to see your work, and it’s easy to manoeuvre their wrist and fingers. “I have a very gentle way of reaching out to retrieve their arm. I place my left hand on their forearm and my right hand behind their elbow and rest it on the soft cushion. Then my left hand flows up to the wrist where I bend it towards me to begin working. When they move to reach for their phone, I do it again. When we switch hands, again. When they lay their arm flat on the table, again.” www.alisharimando.com SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 67

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

The business of

BEAUTY Nail expert, salon owner, educator & mentor, LIZA SMITH, shares her wisdom & advice to benefit your business

‘WE NEED TO BE ON THE STARTING LINE WHEN THE GUN GOES OFF!’ n this unprecedented time, it’s hard to be positive. Looking back over the last 11 months, the industry has changed. Not for better, nor for worse; it’s just different. However, it’s my honest belief that this year holds amazing opportunities for business owners that prepare themselves for the reopening of the nail industry.

Are you feeling stuck right now? In 2020 we were all caught with our pants down! But seriously who, outside of the medical industry, plans for a worldwide pandemic? If we are to prosper and find our way to our ‘new normal’, we need to do two things; get some clarity on where we are today, and make sure we are communicating to the right people at the right time. The professional you were in 2020 will not get you through 2021. This is the time to break down your business model and decide if you were on the right track then and more importantly, the right track now.

Rebuild your business model Imagine you are starting a brand new business. Why are you in business? Who are the clients that will be attracted to you? Your ‘mission statement’ is a short summary of why your business exists; a guide to its essence and personality. It is about your business now. If you find this hard, research the mission statements of big brands such as Apple, Greenpeace and McDonalds. You know these brands already; by looking at their core statement you will be able to identify and determine how your mission statement is connected to your business. ‘Vision statements’ are the future goals of your business; the bigger picture – your aspirations. Ask yourself where you want your business to be in 5-10 years’ time. Both the mission and vision statements will help you choose your niche (your ideal client avatar), set your prices and your service offerings. They will enable you to stay on track, to avoid shiny object syndrome and to build your business in a more aligned way. As we move into this new era, it’s more important than ever that clients can identify who you are and whether they are your tribe. You are the voice of your business. Noting your ideal client doesn’t exclude all others, it just makes your message clearer. Who are you? • What are the three emotions you want your client to feel when they are with you? • What three things do you want to be known for? What’s your USP? www.bodylines.biz 68 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

/liza.smithnails

• What are the top three colours that reflect the emotions you have picked? Who is your ideal client avatar (ICA)? Name / Age / Job / Salary / Car / Pets / Children / Social life / Social media / Favourite drink Try to flesh them out, get to know them, how you would speak to them and what they want to hear. What makes them happy, sad, angry, excited? To get an idea of who your ICA is, look at your top three, five and 10 clients. What do they have in common? You need to make sure you’re attracting more of these super fans. Where are they? Your Instagram feed should look like your front window. Clients should be able to recognise your feed from that of other salon businesses. Don’t just fill it with images of your work; include quotes that reflect you and your message. Use testimonials on the same colour background with the same font so your feed looks unified. Also, publish inspiring images that speak directly to your ICA. Tell your story and use behind-the-scenes photos, especially in your stories. Facebook is your community. You need a business page, and it’s a great idea to have a group in your business name to invite VIP clients into. Email is the most important way to communicate with your clients. Facebook and Instagram own your accounts and can take them away at any time, but your email list is yours. • Look at using a free version of MailChimp or Mailer Lite to create groups of clients to send specific email campaigns. • Create a form to ask clients for their up-to-date email and phone number. • Email consistently, whether it’s weekly or fortnightly. Create a WhatsApp group and invite your top spending clients into it; call it your focus group. In this community you can ask questions and get direct answers from your ICA. This one thing alone has been amazing for my business since I get honest, fast answers to things I want to do with the business. It’s free advice and it’s on the doorstep. Remember, you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. To be in control, you need a plan. Get some clarity on what you want from your business and concentrate on only doing things that push the needle forward. We need to be on that starting line when the gun goes off! @lizasmithnails

@lizasmithnails

Your salon essentials Over 400 coloured/glitter acrylic powders to choose from available in 5g, 10g and 28g options (all powders are buy 4 and get 1 free) Full nail system available including prep, primer, monomer, tips and Gel polish top coat UK based

Find us on facebook and Instagram

www.glitterama-nails.com

PRODUCTSPOTLIGHT

JUST MY

type Get to grips with the various gels available from Indigo Nails Lab & find the perfect match for your client’s nail needs with a hand from the brand’s UK education team… MARIOLA KOŻUSZEK

Perfect Clear

Available in 5, 15, 30 & 50ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “I love working with this gel as I can create my desired shape without filing and it’s ideal for infills. Perfect Clear is self-levelling and works brilliantly as a base for a French as it doesn’t yellow the white tip over time.”

AGATA KRAWCZYK

Easy Shape Milky Pink

Available in 5, 15, 30 & 50ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “Milky Pink is part of the Easy Shape line, so is elastic in texture, easy to apply and to file. It’s not selflevelling so it won’t flood the cuticle area and is my favourite gel to work with. I love its consistency and milkypink colour. This gel is perfect for creating baby boomer nail styles.”

70 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

PRODUCTSPOTLIGHT DOMINIKA SATRO

AGNIESZKA CIĘŻKA

Easy Shape Rosy

Builder Clear

Available in 5, 15, 30 & 50ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “This multi-functional gel has a thick viscosity, is transparent and self-levelling, so perfect for creating extensions on tips and forms. The consistency allows for a perfect C-curve and this gel doesn’t retract in the lamp.”

Take Your Time

Available in 5, 15, 30 & 50ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “I work with this gel daily and use it in nail competitions. It has a thick consistency that’s easy to file yet, when cured, its strength resembles that of acrylic. It has a high polymerisation temperature and must be applied in thin layers. Easy to shape, I use it with a clamp to create the perfect enhancement.”

Igloo White Cream

Available in 5 & 15ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “This highly pigmented white gel is ideal for mastering a perfect French mani as it makes creating the white tip super easy. The gel does not yellow and it’s very creamy, so easy to apply. The gel’s thickness means it stays in place – so you can work on four or five nails at a time before curing.”

JOANNA SZYLER

Available in 5, 15, 30 & 50ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “This express builder gel has a jelly-like consistency and a peachy tint. It offers smooth application and can be used to create short nail extensions. The product doesn’t self-level so it stays in place until cured, meaning you can work on four or five nails at a time. Easy to file, the gel doesn’t shrink in the lamp and is ideal for beginner techs. I recommend using this gel on problematic nail plates to smooth and add strength.”

ELIZA SINORADZKA

Easy Shape Cover

Available in 5, 15, 30 & 50ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “Easy Shape Cover is a camouflage and builder gel in one from the Easy Shape range, which is ideal for medium length salon nails and beginner nail stylists. Its consistency is quite thick and it offers 90% coverage, with a natural colour that suits any skin tone. “Thanks to its flexibility, Easy Shape Cover is easy to apply and makes sculpting and extending nails a breeze. It leaves no streaks and is perfect for construction, as part of a French mani or used alone for a nude nail look.”

“Thanks to its flexibility, Easy Shape Cover is easy to apply and makes sculpting and extending nails a breeze.” JUSTYNA MARIS

X-White Gel Brush

Available in 5 & 15ml sizes from £6.30 inc VAT “X-White is a striking, intensely pigmented white with no dispersion layer gel. It is perfect for creating sharp smile lines; whether as part of the enhancement or painted on top of an existing extension. Ideal for baby boomers, cover with a glossy, high shine gel for a stunning finish.”

SARA TOMCZYK

Sugar Effect

Easy Shape Light Rose

Available in 5, 15, 30 & 50ml sizes from £5.50 inc VAT “Indigo’s Easy Shape Light Rose builder gel provides around 80% coverage, camouflaging natural nail imperfections beautifully. “The product is pliable and easy to work with, and very easy to file. It’s great for salon nails and beginner nail stylists.”

Available in 8ml for £7.40 inc VAT “Sugar Effect is one of the most frequently used art gels in my salon. I can use it for any sort of nail art including baby boomer, French, to create lines, and for 3D nail art. It’s so popular – and I love its consistency. It’s a medium-thick gel, so it doesn’t blend, so can be used to create shapely designs and to add detail. “The white shade is perfect for everyday work and the product has a high dispersion layer. You can create a beautiful design that offers a finish as if the nails have been sprinkled with sugar.”

Indigo Nails Lab UK products are available via www.indigo-nails.co.uk /IndigoNailsLabUK

@indigonailsuk_official SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 71

TECHSPOTLIGHT

READERS GALLERY

Let the nail work of Magpie Beauty educator, NICOLETTE SAFAR-MANESH, catch your eye & learn more about her career story & vision for the future

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TECHSPOTLIGHT

Name – Nicolette Safar-Manesh Age – 28 years Business name – Nicolette’s Nails Location – Waterlooville, Hampshire

Career ambition & vision – I already feel like I am in such a lovely place in the nail industry as an educator for Magpie Beauty. I started my journey with the brand around three years ago and the ladies on the team are inspiring. Over the next few years, I want to provide more online tutorials on social media for those that may not be able to afford or attend classes and also would love to try my hand at a nail competition.

Years in nails – 12 years Trained with – Hazel Dixon, Katie Barnes & Magpie Beauty Fav products – I love using Magpie Beauty’s Build Me Up brush-on builder gel as it’s ideal for enhancing the natural nail and creating length. I have recently been using the brand’s Perfect Poly system, which is so easy to apply but my favourite products are the Magpie Beauty glitters. Every single one is stunning! Fav nail technique – I specialise in gel enhancements so enjoy using hard gel and builder gels. I used to hate forms for extensions but over the past few years and with extra training, I now love using them. Fav nail design – Anything with florals as flowery designs are so versatile. I also like creating ombré and French ombré looks since discovering a technique that makes the style easier to create. I’ve shared this technique on my YouTube channel.

Who do you admire in the industry? One of the first nail techs I followed when I joined social media was one of my fellow ‘Magpies’, Nona of @nonaphilippa as she always provides amazing inspiration. I have saved so many pictures on Instagram from the accounts of Jema @allthingsbeauty_jellybayn and Sophie @sophrainbownails. Magpie Beauty founder, Sarah Shakespeare aka @mrs_magpie has created the most amazing brand that makes my job so much more enjoyable. The list could go on as there are so many incredible techs in the industry and we all have our own personal strengths – even if we haven’t realised them yet. www.nicolettesnails.co.uk /nicolettesnails @nicolettesnails

@nicolettesnails

Nicolette Manesh- Nail Artist & Educator

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Getting down to s s e n i s u b SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

Take note as the NATIONAL HAIR & BEAUTY FEDERATION serves up support & advice for beauty business owners

NHBF chief executive, Richard Lambert

About the NHBF

The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) is the UK’s largest trade body for businesses working in the hair, beauty and barbering industries. The National Hair Federation launched its sister trade association for the beauty industry (NBF) in 2018, and the body relaunched as the NHBF in 2019. With Richard Lambert as the chief executive, the association provides specialist business support, advice and backup to hair and beauty salons. Honing over 75 years’ experience, the not-for-profit organisation aims to be a reliable source of information for you and your business.

What the government-level personal care industry team means for our industry

n a ground-breaking move, the government has created a sector-specific team dedicated to supporting the personal care industry, which includes beauty and nail salons. This major milestone is the result of intensive lobbying and campaigning by four leading industry organisations, including the NHBF.

secure the best possible deal for our industry during the pandemic – and beyond.

The NHBF worked with the British Beauty Council, UK Spa Association and BABTAC to achieve this step forward. It recognises the importance of the industry for both jobs and the economy, as well as the general wellbeing of the population.

The NHBF’s annual industry statistics revealed that in 2018, the hair and beauty industry contributed over £8 billion in turnover to the UK economy. The statistics also show that in the first half of 2020, nail salons were in the top three retail categories that saw the highest growth in the UK – above supermarkets, coffee shops, takeaways and pizza shops.

The new team will sit within the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It means that hair and beauty will be respected – and treated – as a separate industry in its own right, with its own distinct business requirements that need to be addressed.

Gaining recognition

“In the first half of 2020, nail salons were in the top three retail categories that saw the highest growth in the UK.”

We are delighted that BEIS is at last honouring our sector with the recognition it so richly deserves, giving us a strong voice and an invaluable ally at the highest level of government. This move by the government has far-reaching and positive implications for everyone in the industry. It will help to raise wider awareness and enable the government to improve its understanding of our dynamic, economically valuable and highly innovative sector.

www.nhbf.co.uk /nhbfsocial @nhbfsocial @nhbfsocial

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Importance of the hair & beauty industry

This will then pave the way for future financial support specifically tailored to the needs of hair and beauty businesses, which have been so badly affected by repeated lockdowns. The NHBF’s work now continues to secure urgent and vital support for such businesses as restrictions continue. We look forward to having positive discussions with BEIS to

These figures demonstrate the strength and resilience of our sector before the pandemic struck and offer a marked contrast to the devastating impact repeated lockdowns have had. A recent NHBF member survey revealed that 62% of salon owners could not be sure their business would survive until the end of the financial year in April 2021, with almost a third of that number (18%) being sure they would have to close. These figures make the creation of a new industryspecific team within BEIS more welcome than ever, hopefully making it easier and more straightforward for the NHBF to represent its members and the industry as a whole by having a direct line of contact with government officials who will be dedicated to the support, revival and continued success of our industry. Find out more at www.nhbf.co.uk/stats2020

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EXHIBITIONS

SCRATCHPADS

SCRATCH PADS Green fingers Take a peek inside Twelve The Green, a family-run salon in a quaint village with an oh-so stylish décor. KAT HILL explores…

ound by the picturesque village green of Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, a charming boutique salon is capturing attention from the local area and beyond. Offering a chic experience for clients, the business is backed up by its team: manager, Hattie Smith, and her family. “Opening a beauty salon is something my family toyed with over a few years,” explains Hattie. “We opened the business as a family: my dad, Toby, my mum Donna and my two sisters, Tilly and Poppy.

“During the first lockdown last year, we had the opportunity to rent a space in our village. We thought there was no better opportunity for us, as a family, to create a Hattie Smith beauty space. The timing was perfect, as we all had the hours to design the interior and order everything we needed. We opened our doors in September 2020 to a flurry of clients and enjoyed great success before lockdown hit again.” 76 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

From designing the space to actualising it, the family worked together using a pool of their skills. “We have funded the business ourselves,” Hattie continues. “As a family, we own a furniture business, St Giles Furniture, and also a boutique spin studio, Ride45. The success of these gave us the opportunity to open our salon in the village. I know – three businesses in one village! But it’s great to run them as a family.” While Hattie’s family backs the business, it is her own professional experience that has helped turn the stunning setup into a soughtafter salon. “I’m a qualified Champneys beauty therapist,” she explains. “I have attended many nail, lash and brow courses, which have been supported by my Champneys qualification. “A year before opening the salon, I had worked from home offering nail, lash, and brow treatments. After building up a large client base, I knew opening up something in the village would work well. “I’m the manager, so I run the operational side of the business. An average day pre-lockdown involved dealing with bookings, ordering supplies and treating our lovely clients.”

SCRATCHPADS

“As green inside as in name, the setup combines shades of sage and bottle green to create a sumptuous effect. Pops of blush pink and touches of velvet add further interest, while the contrast of wall panelling and white brickwork keeps the décor firmly on-trend.”

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SCRATCHPADS

“Twelve The Green isn’t an environment that expects quick visits. Here, visitors can sit back and enjoy being pampered. Our slogan is ‘#treatyourself’ – and this has been taken on board by clients!” Boasting a ‘London-style’ salon within the charms of a quiet village, Twelve The Green has brought a pop of colour to the rural landscape. “The salon is certainly eye-catching when passing by,” smiles Hattie. “Its pink paint exterior pops, and other cafés, florists and salons are also tidying up their shop fronts to make Chalfont St Giles a top village in The Chalfonts to visit. “We don’t see other salons or local therapists as competition: we would rather support one another. All local salons offer something slightly different; there are no two the same. After all, there are enough fingers and toes in the Chilterns. “The salon has the ‘Instagrammable’ look everyone loves. But, it’s not just the interior that make us unique from other beauty salons; we use vegan products, too.”

Stepping inside As green inside as in name, the setup combines shades of sage and bottle green to create a sumptuous effect. Pops of blush pink and touches of velvet add further interest, while the contrast of wall panelling and white brickwork keeps the décor firmly on-trend. The salon has caught eyes from even further afield with its interior scooping The Gel Bottle Inc’s Best Salon Design of the Year accolade at its branded awards for nail professionals and salons. “As soon as we knew we had secured the space, we created loads of mood boards on Pinterest,” states Hattie. “We then whittled it down to our favourite colour palette. Our ownership of the interior and furniture company meant that we could all get involved with the décor, which was really fun. “Using our chosen colour palette, we selected furniture in line with current interior trends. Dark green velvet is something we always knew we would feature, so we matched the tiles, cushions and art to the velvet detailing.” Using the family interior business, the furniture was easily sourced. Local businesses were also used for the upholstery, flooring and Silestone worktops for the pedi bays and nail bars. The salon’s open plan allows for a happy, social atmosphere. “To the left of the salon, there is a manicure desk that features three spaces,” Hattie explains. “On the right, you’ll find a raised pedicure station. The room is very open, which makes it the perfect space to visit with friends when permitted.” The middle of the salon features a statement wall of glassy green brick tiles and a sink area complete with gold wall mounted taps and a gilded mirror. Tucked behind this wall and offering a little retreat away from the buzz of the salon floor, two brow and lash treatment rooms can be found. A deep green velvet chair waits in each pod – perfect for reclining into for a peaceful appointment. Visits to the stylish salon aren’t fleeting either. “Our aim is to give our customers a real treat from the moment they walk in,” enthuses Hattie. 78 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

SCRATCHPADS

“Boasting a ‘London-style’ salon within the charms of a quiet village, Twelve The Green has brought a pop of colour to the rural landscape. The salon is certainly eye-catching when passing by.” “Twelve The Green isn’t an environment that expects quick visits. Here, visitors can sit back and enjoy being pampered. Our slogan is ‘#treatyourself’ – and this has been taken on board by clients!” The family has also worked hard to also be inclusive in its approach to welcoming clients. “We offer treatments to those aged 10 years and older,” Hattie continues. “We don’t have a specific target client. Our secret is simple: we make the customer feel special. Male clients love a brow tidy, mani and pedi.”

Service with style While it offers a varied treatment menu, nail services remain a firm favourite of Twelve The Green’s client base. “Gel polish manicures are most sought after,” Hattie states. “Our clients can’t get enough of the variety of colours we stock from The Gel Bottle Inc. We’ve also started offering nail art services, which have proved popular. “Nail services have always been my passion. I love to see how much enjoyment I give to clients with the simple act of treating them to a manicure. My favourite part is when they ask for something a bit different. I love getting creative with nail art. It’s a bonus sitting opposite a client and building a relationship with them!” Another popular treatment is the salon’s Deluxe Pedicure using the Mavex Callus Peel. “This treatment has amazing and instant results and gives the client an hour and a half of utter bliss,” smiles Hattie. “Firstly, the therapist applies two skin patches at both the

top and bottom of the base of the foot, wraps them both in cling film and leaves them for 15 minutes. The Callus Peel is a mild acid that helps melt and turns hard calluses into a creamy form, to then remove and buff. The treatment is finished with a heel balm.” Appointments are in demand at the salon, with most clients booking well in advance to avoid disappointment. “We use Timely, an online booking system,” explains Hattie. “We take a 50% deposit from all clients when booking, as this ensures we don’t lose out with no-shows. Clients are advised to rebook two or three weeks after their original appointment to avoid disappointment when they require a removal or reapplication. “We also offer 10% off on Tuesday and Wednesday when clients book a mani and pedi together. We have a loyalty card with a 10% discount on one of the stamps and £5 off on the client’s tenth visit.” With its stylish setup gaining attention and clients, it’s the professionalism of the team and the superb treatments on offer that keep clients coming back. “We have made sure to keep up-to-date with trending and recommended products. Our clients trust that the products we use are going to give the best results, so we look forward to welcoming them back when we can,” concludes Hattie. www.twelvethegreen.co.uk /twelvethegreen @twelvethegreen

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Mindful SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

ma ers

Mental health & wellbeing coach, DAVE HEFFERNAN, offers profound pointers to help you achieve a positive mindset

rom 1-6 March, it’s National Carers Week in the UK. More so than any other year, it’s vital that we thank those in our communities who give up so much of their lives to care for others and take this time to offer them recognition.

ABOUT DAVE HEFFERNAN Dave Heffernan is a coach, speaker and mental health guru. He works with corporates and individuals to create awareness, end stigma and educate on areas surrounding mental health and wellness. Dave has launched programmes to support mental health in the workplace and to create positive, forward-thinking environments in which employees can enjoy working. Born in Salford, Dave dealt with extraordinary life issues including death, grief, abuse, homelessness and violence; but this didn’t hold him back. In fact, it created the momentum and passion that Dave spreads today. As an expert in mental health, Dave has moved from the raw, real-life issues that he’s faced, to helping other people face theirs.

JOIN MY FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP

My Stress & Anxiety Support group on Facebook specifically supports those working in the nail and beauty sectors. Join for £9.99 per month with no commitment or contract and benefit from one-to-one and group support, as well as subsidised courses and bespoke training.

The beginning of 2021 has been a very challenging time for many in the nail industry as businesses closed, finances have become more difficult to manage and confusion continues over what will happen next. Many have considered leaving the industry entirely and starting something new. I want to help you take time this month to look back on your achievements so far, and to remember why you do what you do. Reconnecting with the emotions around our careers can be difficult, especially during difficult times, but it is important to remember the following: • How happy you felt when you made the decision to become a nail tech • How accomplished you felt when you hung your qualification certificates on the wall • How freeing it was to choose your own schedule • How exciting it felt when you booked your first paying client • The feeling of watching happy customers leave your salon • How successful you felt knowing you’d built something up from nothing • The feeling of working with your first clients again after lockdown 1.0 These emotions should be recalled and held onto, regardless of whether you choose to continue being a nail tech in the future or not.

Scan here to sign up or find out more

www.daveheffernan.com /daveheffernanltd

This also got me thinking – are the rest of us taking the time out to care for ourselves? I’ve had the opportunity to speak to many techs over the past few months and been on hand to help them through a lot of frustrating moments, especially throughout the third lockdown. One of the recurring themes is feeling helpless about what’s going to happen in the future and whether business is still viable.

@daveheffernanltd

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I’m not here to convince you to continue on this career path if it no longer brings you joy or provides for you in the way that you need it

to. You must remember that no matter what your choices, leaving any profession should never be seen as a failure, or that it in any way reflects upon your abilities as a person. The virus has taken many things from us over the past year, including our freedom of choice when it comes to growing and developing in our chosen careers. While many companies have had the opportunity to adapt and build in the service industry especially, this has proved far more difficult and even impossible at times. The way that you move on from this experience is your own path, and something which is entirely unique to you. Allow time and space to reflect positively on the experience as a whole and feel appreciation for all that you’ve achieved in your life and career so far. Your personal satisfaction and balance should be kept at the centre of all the decisions you make in life. The more you can understand, control and be clear on what makes you happy and fulfilled, the more likely you will be to achieve your goals. Being able to feel clarity in your decisions is absolutely vital to feeling confident in them, and many of you will be at a stage in your careers where it’s time to make another decision; whether to continue on and build your nail business, whether to try your hand at something else to bring in an additional income alongside your nail business, or whether to start with something new entirely. Allowing yourself the opportunity to reflect positively on your journey so far, will put you in good stead to allow you to grow and move past the negatives that you’ve been dealt during the pandemic and help you make the right decisions for yourself, your family and your business moving forward. Whenever I work with a client, I always remind them that ‘resilience’ is one of the most important factors when it comes to being happy in your work and personal lives, as it enables better problem-solving and maintains the motivation you need to keep going. Being able to reflect upon your wins and losses and see the growth that has come from both will strengthen your resilience and put you on the right path for a more successful and happy future.

DEC 2020 COVER.indd 2

17/11/2020 11:42

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WAT C H Get to know the names behind brands that are attracting attention across the nail scene… Get Buffed Pro Nail pro duo Sarah Elmaz and Cathy Burge, each post over 15 years’ experience in the sector, and used their knowledge and passion to launch Get Buffed Pro in 2019. The product range features handmade, vegan-friendly nail art brushes that are ergonomically and functionally designed for nail techs, as well as a range of drill bits and chrome nail art powders. “We wanted to create quality brushes that nail techs felt were comfortable and easy to use,” Cathy comments. “Importantly, we want techs to be instilled with the confidence to make a start with nail art design using our tools.” The pair has finessed the design of the Get Buffed Pro brushes over the past two years with thought, time and experimentation. “It took some time to find a manufacturer we felt was on the same page as us in regard to the quality of the vegan hairs and the design of the brushes,” Cathy continues. “What we felt was important to us from a functionality point of view was not what a lot of manufacturers understood.” Despite manufacturer issues, the duo is proud to have arrived at a range that meets their desires – and the needs of nail pros. “The pink/red ombré brush casing just looks divine, and each brush is a slightly different colour so that it can be easily identified,” Sarah comments. “One of the most important factors for me was making each brush light, so it didn’t feel heavy in the hands after the nail pro has spent a lot of time creating intricate nail art.” Sarah and Cathy plan to expand the business with more products, maintaining the focus on the quality, function and form of each product. The pair is keen to support nail techs in any way it can, even beyond the products. www.getbuffedpro.com

/get-buffed-pro

@getbuffedpro

PersoNAILity

When lockdown hit, celebrity beauty therapist and nail tech, Jenni Draper, channelled her 20 years’ experience in the nail industry to launch PersoNAILity, a range of manicure tools named after good personality traits. The range is made up of stainless steel cuticle tools, nippers, clippers and scissors available in silver or gold, with names including ‘Kind’, ‘Loving’, ‘Graceful’, ‘Caring’, ‘Gentle’ and ‘Reliable’. The nail range follows the launch of PersonEYElity, five tools in a brow range. “The aim has been to make affordable tools that work brilliantly and look great,” Jenni reveals. “All of the tools have been designed from an edit of those that have been in the salon or our kits for many years. They’re designed by nail techs for nail techs.” Jenni didn’t plan to launch PersoNAILity until late 2021, but interest and demand has been so high across social media that it was launched in February. “My favourite tool is ‘Loving’, the dual nail tool which has one chiselled and one rounded end,” Jenni continues. “It was modelled on a tool that was gifted to me on a job many years ago and has taken pride of place in my kit ever since.” Covid-conscious, the tools have been made without grips to prevent bacteria getting trapped on the handles. “I wanted to bring nail techs a range of tools that work, are affordable, look good and can be cleaned in a salon, or on the move as a mobile or session tech,” Jenni reveals. “We also want to promote kindness, empowerment and encouragement to all, whether you’re a new business owner, salon owner or mobile therapist.” www.personaility.co.uk 82 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

@personailityuk

NAILSCENE NaileDecal After training with OPI, running her own salon for six years and working as an OPI educator, Loretta Walker decided to create NaileDecal, a range of waterslide nail art decals. Launched in December 2020, NaileDecal features a huge variety of designs – with new looks launched each month. “Nail decals have always been popular with my clients and while researching the production process, I fell in love with the creativity of decals and the ability to add a personal touch to designs,” Loretta reveals. Ideal for both beginners and experienced nail techs, nail newbies can dip their fingers into nail artistry with the handy decals, while experienced nail techs can use them within a variety of systems and designs. “Creating NaileDecal during lockdown provided me with an income while my salon was closed,” Loretta revealed. “My income relied on my salon and education, and even though I’ve had many ideas for nail products in the past, due to time constraints and salon life, my ideas never materialised. Lockdown afforded me the time to get creative.” Since launching late last year, Loretta has had positive feedback about the range from nail techs worldwide. “Everyone has commented on the unique designs and how easy they are to use,” she continues. “In January, I contacted some amazing nail techs that I follow on social media to ask them to sample my products. This has been fantastic for NaileDecal as we now have brand ambassadors, which helps to reach a wider audience and get more inspiration for nail designs.” In the near future, Loretta is keen to launch other products, such as the accessories needed to work with nail decals. This year, she hopes to establish a strong customer base for NaileDecal – potentially with room for additional nail art products. www.nailedecal.com

/nailedecal

@nailedecal_

NIBA Nail Care In late 2019, Ashleigh Reid started to suffer allergic reactions to some nail products, which fuelled a drive to create her own nailcare line. “I began researching and learning about cosmetic ingredients, regulations and safe product formulations with an aim to provide a positive contribution to the industry I love,” she reveals. NIBA Nail Care launched in late February 2021 with a range of cuticle oils, balms and hand and body creams, however Ashleigh admits that designing a brand during a pandemic has not come without challenges. “The launch and production schedule were pushed back several times, but also gave me the opportunity to really throw myself into the production of NIBA Nail Care and ensure everything was in place for the perfect launch,” Ashleigh reveals. “Away from NIBA, I work full-time as a nail technician, so all my spare time was put into formulating and creating products, which resulted in plenty of late nights.” NIBA Nail Care features three divisions; retail, trade and NIBA X. The latter is a service that offers nail techs and beauty professionals the opportunity to personalise the products in their own branding to retail onto clients. “The products are safe and legally compliant, without a big price tag,” Ashleigh continues. “Although the financial instability of multiple lockdowns was not an ideal time to create a new brand, it has given me time to really throw myself into the many logistical struggles that resulted from the pandemic prior to the launch. Despite everything that has happened with the pandemic, it has given me the resilience to push my business and myself during these circumstances.” Ashleigh also wanted to make her products accessible to everyone, from someone wanting to treat themselves, to the professional wanting to create their own branded products. “Seeing people use my products is the best feeling in the world, and knowing that these are products I’ve formulated, that are unique to the market, is a wonderful feeling,” Ashley smiles. www.nibanailcare.co.uk

/Nibanailcare

@niba_nailcare

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 83

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

BEAUTY IN

s r e b Num

Keep on top of need-to-know business news & heed accounting advice from beauty industry specialist, RIA-JAINE LINCOLN

ABOUT RIA-JAINE Ria-Jaine is an accounts expert with personal taxation as her specialist area and the beauty industry her primary focus. A qualified nail tech, Ria worked in the beauty industry on a part-time basis but noticed that many people in the sector were missing vital business knowledge. Many did not know about the UK income tax system and obligations imposed by HMRC and so Ria now uses her specialist knowledge, experience and skills to offer support and guidance on setting up and maintaining a compliant business. After completing her AET teaching qualification, Ria created accredited tax and accounting workshops for the beauty industry to help individuals get the best from all areas of their business while managing their books and tax obligations.

THE TAX JOURNEY & VAT FOR A BEAUTY BUSINESS OWNER

he ‘tax journey’ is travelled on by all business owners. When I talk about the tax journey it all starts with the idea of setting up a business, followed by the launch date and the work into building your client base. This is the point when the income starts to flow into the business and there are a few things to think about such as registering for taxes, tracking the income and expenses, calculating profit to work out tax payments, reviewing the structure of the business, employing staff and even considering VAT registration. The list is not exhaustive but this is usually the most common tax journey that business owners take. In my experience both personally and professionally, this tax journey often passes by a lot quicker than imagined and before you know it, what once started as a hobby or small part-time career around family commitments can quite quickly evolve into a successful and rewarding full-time business that has grown.

Sometimes, it can be weeks or months before a business owner realises what stage of the tax journey they are on and a lot of business owners may not have the time or knowledge to assess how far along the tax journey they are and what is expected of them at each point. One of the most common stops on the tax journey that is missed is the VAT checkpoint. VAT is a consumer-based tax and if you provide a taxable supply of goods or services in the UK, there may be a point on your tax journey that you need to start thinking about and planning for VAT. The VAT threshold is currently £85,000 and this means that once your sales hit £85,000 on a 12-month rolling basis, then you must register for VAT. This is not to be confused with the 12 months in a tax year or financial year for limited companies. This is really important and catches a lot of people out. There are two tests that business owners must keep in mind when it comes to VAT; the historical test and the future test. The historical test is mostly relevant to beauty

“Once you have registered for VAT, you need to start collecting VAT for HMRC. If VAT registration isn’t planned carefully, this could mean a sudden increase in your prices to absorb the 20% VAT charge that is added to your taxable sales.” 84 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

“It is important to plan ahead for the tax journey so that you can introduce incremental price increases so that the ripples from VAT registration cause the least amount of disruption as possible.” businesses but some suppliers or larger entities may need to consider the future test. So what does this all mean?

Historical test At the end of every month, business owners need to look back 12-months and review the total income received. If the total income has reached £85,000 during the last 12 months, then the business has 30 days from the month that it hits the threshold to notify HMRC that it needs to register for VAT. This process should be repeated every month and is a good habit to get into even when business is below the VAT threshold to ensure that you have the processes in place to ensure that you do not miss a VAT registration deadline.

Future looking test This test requires a business owner to look forward 30 days to determine if in those 30 days alone the £85,000 threshold will be breached. If it will, then the business must register for VAT. This is less common for small businesses and is mostly relevant to businesses that may secure large contracts of high value. Once you have registered for VAT, you need to start collecting VAT for HMRC. If VAT registration isn’t planned carefully, this could mean a sudden increase in your prices to absorb the 20% VAT charge that is added to your taxable sales. A sudden increase in prices may not be good for business particularly when beauty customers are unable to claim back the VAT that they have to pay on top of their treatment cost. If you are on the standard rate of VAT (which is most common), you can reclaim the

VAT that is paid on purchases (Input VAT) but in the beauty industry and for most service providers the Input VAT is often quite low. So, unless you can absorb the cost of VAT within your sales prices this can be quite a big adjustment to make financially. Flat rate schemes may be worth considering and more information on the schemes available can be found at gov.uk. It is advisable to seek advice from an accountant when reviewing the best VAT scheme and when submitting your first VAT return as this is a huge topic which goes far beyond what can be shared in one column. It is important to plan ahead for the tax journey so that you can introduce incremental price increases so that the ripples from VAT registration cause the least amount of disruption possible.

The other reason to keep an eye on the journey and plan a roadmap to the VAT checkpoint is to ensure that you don’t miss the registration date. This can be devastating for a small business owner to learn that the VAT threshold was breached at some point in the past as this means not only must you manage and consider VAT from the date that the threshold was breached, but there are also late registration penalties and the unpaid VAT to deal with. For anybody starting a business or running a business, it is crucial to map out your tax journey and review this regularly. To do this successfully you must know your numbers and the best way to do this is to stay on top of the bookkeeping and accounts and seek advice before the business needs it.

Friendly disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for guidance and information purposes only. It should not be relied upon as full and complete accounting, tax or legal advice. For specific advice relevant to your own situation please speak to Ria-Jaine MAAT or another professional directly. www.riajaineaccounts.co.uk E: info@riajaineaccounts.co.uk

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@ria_jaine_accountingforbeauty

Join my Facebook group: Salon and beauty therapist UK tax group SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 85

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BUSINESSMATTERS

The meaning of Capture clients for prolonged periods & reap rewards with an insight into loyalty schemes BY KAT HILL

y t l a y lo

ow, more than ever, client loyalty is a lifeline to any business – small and large alike. In these trying times, rewarding clients for their custom could be the key to sustained success, and loyalty schemes reward clients who frequently spend money with your business or book services with you. Whether the reward is a discount, points or free products, the programme should attract clients through your door – and keep them coming back. While clients benefit on the face of it, the correct scheme for your business should also work for you. “While businesses must pay for the perks they offer, they can earn many times more thanks to the increased business as repeat clients tend to spend more over time,” explains Liz McKeon, salon business expert. “Also, it can cost businesses Liz McKeon five times more to attract new clients than retain existing clients, so catering to your current client base will reduce marketing costs.” 88 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

To ensure it is beneficial to both parties, finding the best scheme for your setup and client base is key, states John Hallberg, business expert & owner of TheSalonBusiness.com. “The challenge that you should watch out for is that you add a level of complexity to your business to maintain,” he adds. “Having the right system in place to manage your loyalty programme is important. The last thing you want is to lose track of your system, as that may upset your loyal customer and have the opposite effect.” Implementing a scheme is even more important in the current climate. “We need to get our clients to return to the salon, between national lockdowns and local restrictions,” implores Pure Nails ambassador, Kirsty Smitheman. “While clients may not have the normal reasons for booking their nail appointment, we Kirsty Smitheman need their custom now more than ever.” Here, Scratch takes a look at various loyalty schemes and how to implement them in your business…

BUSINESSMATTERS

HOW TO SELECT YOUR SYSTEM Analyse your client base before committing, advises NHBF director, Tina BeaumontGoddard. “Make sure you tailor rewards, otherwise you may find yourself giving away money unnecessarily,” Tina explains. “For example, a longstanding client who has regular appointments for more expensive treatments may put less value on saving money. Instead of a Tina Beaumont-Goddard discounted appointment, it could make more sense to offer them an additional service for free – one that they may be happy to pay for in future or recommend to someone else. Alternatively, regular but lowspending clients may be more appreciative of money-off appointments in return for their loyalty points.”

Types of loyalty programmes POINTS

Simply put, this scheme means the more clients spend in your business, the more points they receive against their account. With every payment made, a predetermined amount of points is ‘earned’ – which could help increase a client’s spend with you to gain as many points as possible. These points can then be put towards a reward, such as future purchases or a special discount. “Offering spend-based points is easy for clients to understand, and simple for you to administer,” says Alice Kirby, director at Lockhart Meyer Salon Marketing. “However, it does put the focus on the treatment cost and detracts from the client experience.

DISCOUNTS

Discounting prices is a long established sales incentive, but a careful plan must be created to ensure your profits aren’t affected. Structuring these price reductions can help create a targeted approach with an aim to get clients back to your nail desk. Consider a new customer discount or targeting a group of clients that haven’t booked in a while. Alternatively, offer loyal customers the chance to cash in on a discount if they book a day that’s normally quiet. Decide how long the offer will last; be clear if it’s temporary and set an end date.

TRIED IT: Jess Hinds, INK london brand representative

Alice Kirby

“Consider putting points on a card before handing it to your client. Your client feels they have an immediate gift and have already started their journey to collecting points.” If using a booking system to calculate points, be wary when you change your software. “You may have clients without standing points,” warns Tia Weight, Georgie Smedley Group educator & director of Radiance Beauty & Tanning, Colchester. “This can be a long lengthy process to rectify.”

TRIED IT: Clare Hooson, of The

Beauty Parlour, Sanderstead, Surrey

“We have been using loyalty points in the salon for three years and our clients love it. We have a software system that helps us record this. Each time a client comes in for any treatment with Clare Hooson us, they gain loyalty points. This builds up so that they are able to use them for a free treatment. The longer they save them up, the more valuable the treatment they can have. “We reward by percentage: the more expensive the treatment, the more they gain. We offer points on all services, including semi-permanent make-up, so they have the potential to save fairly quickly.”

“While businesses must pay for the perks they offer, they can earn many times more thanks to the increased business as repeat clients tend to spend more over time.” Liz McKeon, salon business expert

“I noticed a big drop in the return of regular clients after the first lockdown, so needed a way to attract new clients to fill my appointment book. I launched ‘The Mystery Jess Hinds Mani’; a nail service at a reduced price that is finished with a design of my choosing. “It’s a win-win: the client receives a unique nail design at a discount, while I get to be creative. It also means I can capture some great pictures for social media and advertising. “Within around six weeks, my books were full and I gained new clients. It gave me a confidence boost and helped me build a reputation for hand painted nail art.”

TRIED IT:

Mandy Reid

Mandy Reid, Boss Nails Mandy, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

“With my ‘Mystery Mani’ service, I pick the design and the client receives a sticker each time. At the 10th appointment, they receive £5 off their appointment. My clients love it! I’ve got a few clients who give me artistic freedom, so it’s a nice way to reward them.”

>> SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 89

BUSINESSMATTERS

PUNCH CARDS

As the name suggests, this initiative features a card, which is ‘punched’ or stamped to denote a purchase. After a predetermined number of stamps have been collected, the holder of the card is rewarded for their purchases. Tabby Casto, Louella Belle ambassador & freelance make-up artist & manicurist, has this programme in place. “When the client has collected seven stamps, the eight service is given free,” explains Tabby. “It makes them feel special and rewards them for their loyalty. Tabby Casto

“Consider that many of your customers will reach their finished loyalty cards at the same time. How will this impact your business at times like Christmas? You need to consider what you can afford to discount.” You need to be clear about any terms and conditions, for example if a card is left at home. “One downside of this method is the need to keep track of what is owed,” adds Pure Nails ambassador, Luci Goodyear. “Clients often forget their cards.”

VIP SCHEMES

If you have a number of longstanding clients that are truly loyal to your business, you could consider introducing a VIP scheme. This programme should include benefits or discounts that are exclusive to this tier – otherwise it loses its value. “I prefer VIP schemes where the rewards are treatments, as these encourage clients to try other services you offer,” says Alice Kirby. “It also takes the focus away from the price. Choose treatments that don’t cost you too much to complete, but which have a real value in the client’s mind. For example, an upgrade from a standard manicure to your deluxe one.” “VIP loyalty schemes are great for long-term clients that come to you regularly and all year long,” adds Kirsty Smitheman. “I like to offer free nail art equal to 15 minutes of time in January, 20% off their treatment in their birthday month and 50% off a small cuticle oil once in the year. “Clients qualify for this VIP card if they attend a minimum of 15 times per year. You also need to make sure you are still charging the client over cost price.”

TOP TIP

Luci Goodyear

Carefully consider if you can afford the reward offered at the end of their card. “With this type of scheme, remember this: if the clients already come to you for nine nail services, they are already loyal and they will most likely come back for a tenth,” advises INK London educator, Tracey McGoogan. “All you have done is given away a service you would normally have been paid for. Great for the client, but not for the business.”

“If you use a management system in your salon, see what loyalty schemes it runs and consider if it would work in your salon,” says CND™ education Natasha Barker ambassador, Natasha Barker. “We integrated the Treat Card scheme into our salon management system, Phorest. It has proved popular with our clients. They get excited seeing their points rack up and when they discover what prizes they can enjoy.”

Watch it!

John Hallberg, business expert & owner of TheSalonBusiness.com, shares his top tips on how to keep your clients coming back.

TRIED IT: Yndaly Neimanis, Lee Beauty Studio

BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

“I started offering a loyalty scheme after the first lockdown last year. I moved from being based in a clinic to a home studio and, given the uncertainty, I wanted to make my services more attractive. I also wanted to give back, following the support I had received from my clients. “I implemented a loyalty card that offers 20% off the sixth treatment. It has been a lifeline for my business during these difficult times. I’ve had to close my diary to new clients. I love seeing the excitement from my clients when they achieve the discount.”

Offering exclusive rewards or discounts by working with other businesses in your local area could help attract new clients to your nail desk. “Buddying up with local businesses that target a similar audience to you – think restaurants, gyms, hair salons, fashion boutiques and florists – to offer rewards can work well,” states Alice Kirby. “However, this can be time consuming to manage and you do lose an element of control.”

TOP TIP “A physical loyalty card or an eye-catching key fob card is a great daily reminder of your salon – making it harder for your clients to forget you,” notes NHBF director Tina Beaumont-Goddard . 90 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Tia Weight

“Gaining new clients can be hard as they need to trust you,” adds Tia Weight, Georgie Smedley Group educator & director of Radiance Beauty & Tanning, Colchester. “A potential customer may need to see your business several times before they book with you. If a local business has promoted you, then that client already trusts the other business.”

BUSINESSMATTERS

REFERRALS

This growth tactic encourages your existing clients to recommend your services to their friends, family and colleagues for a reward. “Both your client and their friend benefit from this initiative with a discount or reward and you gain a client,” enthuses Tracy McGoogan. “It builds loyalty to the existing client as they get an incentive and it gives you a chance to impress a new client.” Tracy McGoogan

“These schemes are a fantastic way to bring in new clients that you wouldn’t normally reach,” agrees Tabby Casto. “Your regular clients trust you and probably already recommend you to their friends, so a referral scheme gives them a little push. “In my scheme, I offer clients 15% off their next appointment and free nail art when they successfully refer someone to me. Their referred friend gets 15% off their first appointment. This type of scheme is a great way to promote new services. I found clients that had not tried nail art before were happy to give it a go when they redeemed their offer. Having tried it once, they were then more likely to book it for their next appointments.”

MARKETING MAGIC

Marketing and informing clients about your schemes is incredibly important to its success. Utilise your current marketing channels and social media platforms to share the exciting opportunities with your client base, as well as face-to-face discussions. “Talk through the loyalty scheme with your client while you are going through your aftercare or rebooking,” advises Kirsty Smitheman.

“I like to share my loyalty scheme with clients at the start of each appointment,” states Tabby Casto. “It’s easy to forget things at the end as you are busy wrapping up and making sure the client is pleased with their service. This also helps clients feel welcomed and valued at the start of the service. With existing clients, I remind them to bring their cards when confirming their appointments and stamp them at the end.” Importantly, your scheme must be easy to understand – for you, your staff and clients. “Most people don’t want to be bothered with anything too complex,” adds Tina Beaumont-Goddard. “This will also mean less explaining for you.” “Train your staff to always ask clients if they want to join your programme at check out,” adds John Hallberg, business expert & owner of TheSalonBusiness.com. “At this point, the client already has an incentive to do so as their current appointment would immediately count toward it.

CHARITY AFFILIATIONS You don’t always have to offer discounts or points. You can build a strong relationship and connect with your clients by demonstrating your mutual values via a charity drive.

You may want to consider donating a certain amount from a select treatment if booked by clients in a certain timeframe to your chosen charity or organisation. You could even ask your clients to vote on what cause to support.

John Halberg

“Add information about the programme in your automated appointment reminders and receipts. This will keep the benefit of joining top-of-mind with people as they come in for their appointment.”

TOP TIPS! Liz McKeon offers three pointers to consider…

Target with relevant offers. Once a client joins your loyalty scheme, you can send recurring and targeted deals.

Make rewards achievable. Clients should understand how to reach each goal, and rewards should not expire too quickly.

Send offers sparingly. Marketing to your loyal clients is excellent, but make sure clients only receive relevant offers and details.

Consistency is key

“Remember, a loyalty card itself won’t build customer loyalty,” says INK London educator, Tracy McGoogan. “A well-planned and reciprocal scheme where the client feels they are valued and being gifted a service or a product will keep them coming back to you. “It must be reciprocal and the client must feel appreciated and that they are genuinely receiving something they normally wouldn’t get. If you are going to introduce a scheme, then you must manage it properly and not forget about it. If you don’t see it as adding value, your client won’t either and it won’t work.”

LUCKY DIP! Joanna Paylor

Joanna Paylor, of The Beauty Garage in Bicester, has a lucky dip jar for her clients. “They absolutely love it,” Joanna says. “I have a card and they get a stamp every time they visit. After 10 visits, they get to pick from the pot. “It’s a bit of fun and different to other schemes. It means they get to try new treatments too. I’ve done it for a few years and always have a good response from it!”

SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 91

NAILDESIGNS

This beautiful bumble bee design atop a base of The Gel Bottle Inc’s Vanilla comes courtesy of Amber & Stone Beauty.

This loveable bunny portrait by @snaily_nails has a springtime feel with pretty petals and blossoms.

International educator and champion, Barbara Ú jvá ri, creates a statement nail with a realistic horse portrait.

Fingernails in

Focus

Are you on the prowl for some animal themed nail inspo? Check out CALLIE ILEY’S roundup of reader designs; from bunnies to bumble bees, butterflies & more…

Educator, Anna Sikora, shares a variety of animal portraits in watercolour styling alongside pretty spring florals.

Dutch nail artist, @_unique_veronique_, adorns this nail with a pinchy pink base, to contrast with the bold hues of a budgie.

Textured nails by @crystal_nails_denmark feature beautiful butterflies with shading and sparkly additions.

Paula Triana H of @vintagenailsmedellin depicts adorable baby animals with pretty floral borders – perfect for spring .

We love this elegant swan portrait against a baby blue base, courtesy of nail artist and educator, Sam Biddle.

This delightful Doberman portrait was created by Nat Maloney using Light Elegance nail products.

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 92 SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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At ABT, we know how important it is to work together during these difficult times, and therefore we would like to extend the offer for a short period of time for you to be able to deliver your courses, and assessments, via the internet Skype, Facetime, Zoom or similar. If you would like to find out how please contact our Accreditation Department via accreditation@abtinsurance.co.uk and they will be able to provide you further information.

Free representation in the case of inquiry by revenue commissioners. This great beneﬁt even includes accountant’s fees! This policy is mobile and will cover you to practice around the world for temporary trips and excludes USA and Canada. Main domicile must be UK

We are open for business so if you have any queries regarding delivery of our services please do not hesitate to contact us on 01789 773573 or live chat at www.abtinsurance.co.uk or email info@abtinsurance.co.uk Our oﬃce is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm and we look forward to helping you.

Excludes Students

Beauty | Hair | Complementary | Nails, Tanning & Make-Up | Salon Full Details, Terms of Business, Application Forms, Policy Wording and Explanatory Documents are available to view online at the website address

NA I L s g n i p Clip SCRATCHMEDIA

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

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Team Scratch is always seeking out the hottest nail trends and nails inspired by the early 2000’s are proving popular, with flowers, smiley faces, cherries, clouds and more dominating social feeds.

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Nails by Eleanor aka @beautybyelee

IN THE PRESS

Chaun’s recreation (@chaunlegend)

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The work of Lancashire nail artist, Eleanor Szejner, caught the eye of celebrity nail technician, Chaun Legend – a feat that was reported by The Lancashire Telegraph. Eleanor, who rents a chair at Michaela’s Hair and Beauty Salon, Blackburn, showcased an arty abstract nail design that inspired a nail recreation by Chaun for celebrity make-up artist, Make-Up By Ariel. He then posted it to his Instagram page – which boasts 1.2 million followers, including the likes of his clients, rap sensation Cardi B and reality show star, Kylie Jenner.

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A video of a parrot enjoying a manicure proved popular on Yahoo’s online news pages, owing to the parrot remaining calm while its claws were being clipped and appearing to enjoy the experience in the same way as a human client does!

POPULAR PICK!

Pure Nails offered up three incredible Halo competition prizes to Scratch readers last month, with a top prize worth over £950! Techs entered in their thousands and Pure Nails revealed the winners earlier this month. For more giveaways, visit www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/competitions

PAPPED! We love seeing the nail styles that celebrities are showing off on social media, and two in particular caught our eye. Rita Ora rocked the milky sheer ombré style courtesy of session nail artist, Michelle Humphrey, while Khloe Kardashian showed off a metallic manicure by celebrity nail artist, Chaun Legend.

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SCRATCHMEDIA

NAILS OF GLASS

American singer, Billie Eilish, had a manicure with a twist for the video to her single ‘Lo Vas A Olvidar’ with Spanish singer-songwriter, Rosalía. Nail artist, Sojin Oh, created the look using custom glass pieces inspired by icicles.

Saluting in style

NAIL ART AUTHORITY

Jackie Weaver, who became a internet sensation overnight, revealed her passion for nail art on Good Morning Britain. After a clip was shared on social media of a Handforth Parish Council Zoom meeting descending into chaos, Jackie’s cool reaction to a member saying she ‘has no authority’ paved her way into the spotlight. She told ITV’s Good Morning Britain host, Piers Morgan: “I would be happy to make you a friend on Facebook Piers, then all you will see is my secret passion which is nail art.”

DID YOU KNOW?

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Women in the US Army are now able to wear nail polish alongside lipstick and earrings as part of the army’s ‘major revisions’ to its regulations. The changes came into effect on 24 February as ‘optional wear’ and allow women to wear coloured nail polish with men allowed to wear clear nail polish.

Singaporean nail brand, Blood, has launched two nail polishes inspired by the stages of a woman’s menstrual cycle. SCRATCHMAGAZINE.CO.UK 97

INDUSTRYTRIBUTE

In Memoriam… The nail industry pays tribute to DENNIS DUISTERS, CEO Beauty Company/WWBD Group The nail & beauty industry was deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Dennis Duisters by cardiac arrest in January at the age of 39 years old in The Netherlands. Son of Willy Duisters, well known in the nail industry for bringing brands such as EzFlow into Europe as well as launching own-brands including Astonishing Nails, Dennis was brought into the family business from a very young age. A roofer by trade, in between times he learned every area of the family business and eventually joined full-time and became its director. Fondly thought of as a kind, soft, fun yet serious businessman, Dennis’ passing has left a hole in the nail industry that cannot be filled. He was loved, adored and highly respected all over the world. Here, some of his industry peers pay tribute…

Dennis Duisters 1981-2021

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David & Steffi Fowler, Signature Nail International, Germany

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I first met Dennis in Eindhoven 26 years ago when he was just 13. Dennis grew up in the nail industry and so it was only natural that he would run the Beauty Factory business one day. He was so much fun to work with over the years and had a huge heart and a big, bright smile. It was easy to see his passions; work, travel, friends, and over the past years, Iris. “Dennis made those around him feel like family. There was always a hug and a beer after a day’s work! He was part of the fabric of the nail industry, a member of the global family that attended every trade show, a part of its history... and a part that can never be replaced. We will all miss his smile, his deep belly laughter and his friendship. Rest in peace, Dennis.

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To view more tributes to Dennis Duisters from members of the industry, scan here

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Alisha Rimando, nail expert, consultant, international educator, judge & mentor

Dennis was a fantastic businessman, mentor and friend to us both over the last few years and we were honoured to be entrusted with the UK distribution of Astonishing Nails and Jacky M products for him. He had an infectious laugh and an immense love for life that always shone through every time we spoke to him. Dennis will be greatly missed and extremely fondly remembered by not just us, but many others who had the pleasure of knowing him. Hannah & Andy Garbett, Staffordshire Nail Academy, UK

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I had the pleasure of firstly working with Dennis, and then for him, for more than 10 years. Even though it was a family business, Dennis started at the very bottom and worked his way up to the top, starting earlier than everyone, leaving later than most. He has gained respect from his peers across the world for all that he accomplished in his 39 years. I will be forever thankful for the opportunities he gave me and the friendships I’ve gained because of these. We have many brilliant memories of you, Dennis, that will keep your legacy alive. Your absence will be felt across borders. RIP Dennis. Much love. Tracey Lee, international nail artist & educator, The Netherlands

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Krasimira Petrova Krumova, Nail Harmony Austria, dean of education, Austria

Scott Derbyshire, director, Seed Publishing & Olympia Beauty

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Dennis and I met at a very critical moment in my career. Without him, maybe no one would ever know about me! He opened the door and introduced me to the best in the nail industry and continued to be there for me both personally and professionally. Countless trade shows, seminars, trainings, competitions and events had been a part of our lives for almost a decade. “He became a trusted confidant, advisor and dear friend. Although much too short, his was a life well lived! He was a determined visionary, collaborative, goal-oriented, caring person who loved life and all that it offered. He made a big impact on the nail world; his contributions to the nail industry were powerful and his work ethic remarkable. Full of energy, commitment and integrity, his trademark qualities will remain his incredibly sweet and charming smile and infectious calm, warm and kind personality that created comfort for the soul. He was one of a kind and will be sorely missed as a colleague, mentor, leader and a friend. “Dear Dennis, I owe you a lot and hope I can make it up to you someday, somewhere on the other side. Farewell my friend! I will cherish every moment I shared with you. I love you with all my heart. Until we meet again.

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Steffi and I knew Dennis for many years and our memories of Dennis will remain with us forever more. WWBD and ourselves have always had a wonderful working relationship and Steffi and I shared a very special friendship with Dennis. He had a very kind heart, a gentle soul and time for everyone that crossed his path. Rest in peace dear friend.

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Anneke van der Sar, exclusive distributor & international educator, Artistic Nail Design Nederland, The Netherlands

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I remember Dennis as a professional, dedicated businessman that made time for everyone. He was always smiling, and what a smile he had; simply a happy, warm and sensitive human being. He was dedicated to work but also to life. If you were lucky enough to have worked with Dennis or had just hung out over a beer, then you will know the saying; ‘There are some really good people in the world’, and this could not be more fitting for this wonderful gentleman.

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I will miss Dennis’ lovely smile, his respect and his helping hand. We shared so many great moments at shows; so many jokes and crazy moments when we needed to be serious. Whenever I was travelling and he was visiting the same event or show, he would definitely look for me and always came for a short chat and mostly we would end with ‘see you tonight at the bar!’

Nail design by LEE CHANHEE (Art Grand Champion 2020)

2021 네일프로 컴피티션 아시아

NAILPRO® Competitions ASIA 2021 2021, the Year of Challenge! #goforthegold NAILAPALOOZA ASIA 2021 (Zero Contact Edition) April 15, 2021 deadline *award ceremony will be held on the last week of April

ASIA-KOREA 2021 (Seoul, Korea) July 2~4, 2021 onsite ASIA-THAILAND 2021 (Bangkok, Thailand) September 16~18, 2021 onsite GLOBAL NAILAPALOOZA ASIA 2021 (Zero Contact Edition) November 30, 2021 deadline *award ceremony will be held on the first week of December

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NAILHOLIC nailproasia.com

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