Nail NATION

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SKINCARE MOGUL, EVE TAYLOR, AWARDED DAMEHOOD

Dame Eve Taylor

Eve Taylor, founder of Eve Taylor London, has been appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List. The accolade recognises her contributions to business in the aromatherapy and skincare sectors.

Eve founded Eve Taylor London in 1968, combining aromatherapy principles with skincare science and natural ingredients, to create products that enhance skin health and wellbeing.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this recognition,” Dame Eve Taylor comments. “My journey has been driven by a desire to empower others through beauty and wellbeing, and this accolade is not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the incredible team at Eve Taylor London and its unwavering commitment to excellence.”

The Dame, 92, continues to work full-time at the company, driven by an ongoing desire to support her loyal customers.

The brand’s best-selling products include Refining Eye Mask and Soothing Masque for face and neck. Dame Eve will continue to develop products to promote inner and outer wellbeing, and focus on driving high standards and positive change within the skincare industry and beyond. www.eve-taylor.com

Sweet Squared announces nail ambassadors

Award-winning education & product provider, Sweet Squared, has appointed seven social media aficionados to join its ambassador programme. The beauty professionals have been assigned to support nail, hand and footcare brands in the company portfolio, as below: Laura Chree (@chreeative_nails) – Artistic Nail Design, Footlogix & Famous Names.

Lily Lou Moore (@beautybylilylou) – Artistic Nail Design & Footlogix. Sharon Baker (@sharonbnails) – Artistic Nail Design, Footlogix & Famous Names.

Danielle Binstead (@blissn___ ) – Artistic Nail Design.

Georgia Heart (@nailsbygeorgiahart) – Artistic Nail Design. Demi Fordham (@bydjf___) – Artistic Nail Design.

Kay Cooper (@kaycoopernails) – Artistic Nail Design & Famous Names. www.sweetsquared.com

RefectoCil invites UK beauty pros to join its Brow + Lash Bar franchise

Salon System, UK distributor of lash and brow tinting product brand, RefectoCil, is offering beauty enthusiasts the opportunity to be part of its Brow + Lash Bar franchise.

The brand is seeking passionate and motivated UK professionals who are keen to expand their services and increase revenue, as well as entrepreneurs interested in the beauty industry and investors seeking a rewarding business opportunity. They can open their own RefectoCil Brow + Lash Bars, or transform their existing salons. After the success of its Brow + Lash Bars in Austria, RefectoCil is expanding its franchising model into the UK, offering tailored shaping, colouring and care treatments that range from 15 minutes to one hour. These include brow lifting, brow styling and cleansing, custom colour, lash styling and brow and lash comb services.

Franchisees will benefit from a successful and established business model, with support from RefectoCil and access to its marketing strategies and promotional materials. They will also receive extensive training in the brand’s products, application techniques and business operations.

To learn more about the franchise opportunity, email Michaela Klamer: m.klamer@gwcosmetics.at

NIBOVI unveils brand awareness team

Sadie Hynes

E-file education and tool company, NIBOVI, has announced three brand ambassadors, who will raise awareness of the products and how they work, via their Instagram platforms.

Amongst the social media moguls is Scratch Stars Awards finalist 2024, Hannah Beth Clayton (@studiobyhannahbeth). The natural nail specialist commented on Instagram: “The products and their aesthetic are high-quality, and have made my work easier and cleaner.” Fellow ambassadors are Alex Philamond (@put.it.in.nudetral) and Olivia Marie (@novalee_nails). Launched in February 2024 by Sadie Hynes, NIBOVI is a result of Hynes’ desire to produce E-file bits that ‘work hard for the tech’, after repetitive strain led to her train in electric filing techniques. www.nibovi.com

65% of LGBTQIA+ consumers feel represented in the hair & beauty industry

A survey by salon, spa and fitness booking app, Vagaro, has found that just under two-thirds of LGBTQIA+ consumers feel represented within the hair and beauty industry.

Vagaro reached out to hundreds of LGBTQIA+ beauty consumers, to identify how beauty businesses can help foster inclusive environments and support the community. When asked how represented they feel within the industry, 65% of respondents claimed they feel either ‘somewhat or very’ represented. Comfort in gender expression saw an optimistic response, with 63% reporting to feel more comfortable in expressing their gender in 2024. Generation X is the age group that evidenced the highest levels.

Representation was noted as important to 30% of participants when choosing a salon, with the presence of LGBTQIA+ staff, or lack thereof, likely to influence their decision. Similarly, 27% of beauty consumers reported opting for LGBTQIA+ friendly brands, over less inclusive competitors.

Vagaro chief marketing officer, Charity Hudnall, says: “At Vagaro, we’ve long understood the importance of a truly diverse and welcoming beauty landscape, which is why, some time ago, we created the LGBTQIA+ friendly tag for businesses to improve visibility to clients seeking inclusive spaces. The survey data further provides our team and businesses with deeper insights into the diverse needs and preferences of LGBTQIA+ beauty consumers.” www.vagaro.com

SALONCYCLE LAUNCHES TO HELP UK HAIR & BEAUTY SALONS RECYCLE WASTE

International recycling company, TerraCycle, has launched SalonCycle in the UK: a scheme to help hair and beauty pros and salons divert waste that is difficult to recycle, from landfill and incineration.

Following a successful launch in the US, SalonCycle’s UK unveiling offers a simple and convenient recycling solution to businesses in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, without complex separation of materials. According to British Beauty Council figures, 14% of hair and beauty industry packaging makes it to a recycling plant and only 9% is recycled.

To take part in the SalonCycle programme, pros and salons must order the scheme’s boxes: a Human Hair Composting Box and Mixed Salon Waste Recycling Box (a box in which metal and plastic items are collected together). Once placed in designated high-traffic areas of a hair/beauty salon, waste can be collected. When the boxes are full, businesses can send them to TerraCycle using pre-affixed UPS shipping labels, where the waste is sorted, cleaned, processed and remoulded.

Julien Tremblin

Courtesy of Linkedin.com

Julien Tremblin, general manager at TerraCycle Europe, comments: “We are delighted to be launching SalonCycle in the UK, as the amount of waste produced by the haircare and beauty industries is substantial. When developing SalonCycle, we listened to salons and their biggest request was for a simple and easy-to-use solution that isn’t confusing for staff. Having to separate waste into many different subcategories can be confusing and ultimately act as a barrier to recycling adoption in a business.” www.saloncycle.co.uk

pleasure

Winners announced in UK&I nail industry awards

Following an intense judging process, the winners of the 12th Scratch Stars Awards were announced at The Scratch Stars Party in London on 21 July. Launched in 2012 to recognise and reward excellence in the nail sector, the 2024 iteration of the awards presented 18 categories, including Home Nail Salon of the Year, Nail Team of the Year and Mixed Media Artist of the Year. Finalists and their peers gathered at event space, The Underglobe, to celebrate the nail industry and discover the winner of each category. Hosted by DJ, podcaster & former Rugby Union star, James Haskell, alongside Scratch’s Helena Biggs, guests enjoyed live performances from Shola Ama and DJ Luck & MC Neat. Check out the winners on page 26. www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/scratchstars

TGB SPA OPENS IN BRIGHTON

Daisy Kalnina, founder of The GelBottle Inc (TGB), has opened TGB SPA by DKollection in Brighton. Described as ‘a premium beauty hotspot and lounge’, the premises aims to treat guests to ‘the ultimate spa experience with a personal and welcoming touch’.

Clients can expect a full range of luxurious treatments and experiences inside the carefully curated space. Treatments offered are nail services, including TGB’s BIAB™, as well as facials, massages, hair, brow, lash, tanning and aesthetic treatments. Open from 7am to midnight, the spa aims to accommodate busy working professionals, parents and partygoers. It is equipped with a bar serving cocktails, coffee and juice, and a tranquil seating area. The space will welcome resident star therapists and is available for private events and rental. www.tgbspa.com @tgbspa

KISS Nails names Julie Kandalec as brand ambassador

Fashion nail and lash manufacturer, KISS Products Inc, has announced celebrity manicurist & educator, Julie Kandalec, as brand ambassador for its Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel System. The range offers long-lasting gel nail extensions in 18 ready-to-wear styles, including French tips, floral nail art and sheer shades. In her role as brand ambassador, Julie will be one of the faces of the Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel System and create video and social media content for the KISS platforms. She will also offer nail health and trend tips.

Kristin Giarusso, global marketing director for KISS, comments: “We are delighted to be working with Julie Kandalec, as her immense knowledge as a nail technician and her passion for education is so valuable. Her trendsetting ideas, deep understanding of nail health and expertise in teaching make her a perfect partner for KISS.” Kandalec, who was a Nailympia Orlando judge 2024 and boasts celebrity clients including Emily Blunt and Camila Cabello, shares: “I am so excited to partner with KISS in support of this range for the nail category. I am just as passionate about nail health as I am about on-trend designs, and with this innovative system, flawless manicures can be enjoyed for up to 14 days with no damage to natural nails. It’s a win-win, which makes the collaboration a no-brainer.”

The Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel System is available via kissusa.com

NAIL & BEAUTY BITES

Luxury mobile beauty and wellness company, Blossom & Jasmine, supported a fundraiser for King’s College Hospital, providing make-up artists and cosmetics for a fashion show. Organised by TONI&GUY Charitable Foundation and Luxury Collective, the event was attended by celebrities including designer, Karen Millen, and TV presenter, Charli Fisher. www.blossomandjasmine.com

Award-winning and environmentally conscious nail brand, Earthy Nail Polish, has launched the Earthy Lemon Peel Cuticle Balm, available in a 30ml handbag-friendly size. Infused with a fresh lemon scent, the balm’s non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, to moisturise and soften cuticles and protect against dry skin and brittle nails. www.earthynailpolish.com

The GelBottle Inc (TGB) has expanded its HEMA-free Paint Gel Polish range from 10 to 50 shades. Formulated so that all clients, including those with HEMA sensitivities, can enjoy a varied colour palette, the collection has been two years in production and boasts a non-shrink and self-levelling formula. www.thegelbottle.com

Skincare brand, ARgENTUM, hosted The Great London Bridges Walk for UCLH Charity, the official charity of University College London Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust. The team crossed 26 London bridges, aiming to raise £110,000 to fund a full-time clinical nurse specialist in cancer services for two years. www.argentumapothecary.com

UK brow brand, Buff Browz, has launched community events to allow professionals to network, learn and collaborate. Covering cities from Glasgow to Northampton, the experiences feature face-to-face seminars, procedures and opportunity for independent techs to meet like-minded pros in their area. www.buffbrowz.co.uk

Hair removal & bodycare brand encourages confidence in summer campaign

Vegan and cruelty-free bodycare brand, Estrid, has marked its fifth year of body positive storytelling with a striking visual campaign for summer. Aiming to ‘ignite a global conversation on beauty and identity’, the brand collaborated with creative director, Jamie Brunskill, to produce a series of images to empower and inspire followers.

The campaign features work by Brixton Klaws (@brixton_klaws), a pro who brings a unique, eco-conscious approach to nail artistry, aligning with Estrid’s commitment to sustainability and empowerment. Passionate about reducing the impact of microplastics in the beauty industry, Brixton Klaws incorporates a personally collected and curated selection of vintage buttons and beads instead of plastic charms.

All gel polish and acrygel products used are certified cruelty-free and sourced from Glowtips, a female POC-owned UK business. www.estrid.com

Session manicurist opens salon focused on nailcare memberships

Tinu Bello

Educator & session stylist, Tinu Bello, has opened Manicured London in Hackney Wick, East London: a salon focused on nailcare memberships and flexible, pay-as-you-go nail services.

“Amidst the closure of my previous salon, Colour Riot Nails, in April, due to rent hikes, I saw an opportunity to launch a studio with membership-based treatments,” Bello comments. “These seamlessly include nailcare in clients’ monthly expenses, similar to gym memberships or streaming services. The initiative aims to make nailcare affordable and convenient for all. By becoming a member, clients not only save on monthly nailcare expenses, but also enjoy complimentary perks, discounts and the future prospect of accessing multiple locations.”

Four membership tiers are available at Manicured London, starting at £85 per month. All include a discount on retail products and pay-as-you-go treatments, complimentary removals and guest perks.

Bello adds: “Memberships represent the future of the nail industry, benefitting consumers with their affordability, and helping business owners to forecast sales in advance, aiding scaling and expansion efforts.” www.manicuredlondon.co.uk