THE SCRATCH scoop

The Scratch team offers an insight into its antics & unveils events, treatments & product news from the nail realm

Helena Biggs – Editorial & partnerships director

Rebecca Hitchon – Senior news & features writer

Jess Wilkie – Art editor

Lilly Delmage – News & features writer

In the MAIL...

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

Adelina Walker, gel nail artist & owner of Hello Beautiful Nail Bar in Stoke-on-Trent, has extended her creativity to the manufacture of mini nail desk signs. Designed to ‘save your voice and put a smile on clients’ faces’, the signs are available in a variety of colours, with slogans including ‘Use Cuticle Oil’ and ‘Relax Your Hand’. The biodegradable products can also be personalised, and Adelina sent the Scratch team a sign in a pretty pink hue. Purchase yours by contacting the pro on Instagram: @hellobeautifulnailbar

Two tubes of Gloves In A Bottle, a shielding lotion that acts ‘like an invisible pair of gloves’, were posted to Scratch HQ. The formula creates a protective, hydrating shield on the skin, locking in natural oils to prevent moisture loss and sore, dry skin. The original, and new fragrance-free botanical version, are available via www.glovesinabottle.co.uk and www.katiebarnesacademy.com

Meeting points

Helena and Scratch co-founder, Scott Derbyshire, met with the Bexy Glow team in Manchester to learn about the projects the brand is taking part in early next year. The duo enjoyed chats over lunch with founders, Paige Chohan and Becky Willett, and agency director, Ruth Wertylo. Later that week, Helena caught up with Deena Smith and Katie Drane of Pure Nails, who unveiled upcoming product launches from the brand that will excite nail pros.

Fashion Week calling

As London Fashion Week marked its 40th anniversary, Rebecca headed to Chelsea for the Leblon London SS25 showcase, where nail looks were created by team Glitterbels. Led by brand co-founder, Annabel Maginnis, the team (Charli Jepson, Jennie Nippard, Adonia West and Danielle Brindley) applied almond-shaped ombré press-ons to models’ nails. The looks were created using Glitterbels Hema Free Gel Polish hues: pink-nude You’re The One blended into pastel green, Kiwi-Kini.

A backstage grant

Lilly ventured to the Huishan Zhang SS25 London Fashion Week show, invited by lead nail artist, Janel Grant. Neutral manicures were created for 29 models using Tellé Moi shades, See You Latté and Sugar Glaze, with Matte Top Coat. Janel was supported by first assistants, Goda Stankeviciute and Marilia Isallari Antzela, and nail pros: Annie Kilalea, Sophia Glenn, Saskia Tidy and Keshia Marie Lewis.

Strength in style

The Protein Formula For Nails brand teamed up with Barrecore Mayfair to host a fitness class in Oxford Circus, London. Lilly grabbed her gym gear to take part in the event, which aimed to ensure attendees were ‘as strong as their nails’. The Protein Formula products combine Biotin, AHAs and Hexanal to restructure and harden damaged nails, and Lilly put her strength to the test during the hour-long session.

What we’re wearing...

Helena has embraced autumn’s blue nail trend with a bold gel polish overlay over almond-shaped enhancements, courtesy of Rebecca Ellis (@beautyby__beck), Dartford, Kent.

Jess visited her regular nail tech, Hazel Martin of Nail Creations by Hazel, Crawley, for a gel polish refresh. She chose purple hue, April, from The GelBottle Inc.

A moment for hygiene

Helena and Rebecca travelled to Letchworth Garden City, where safety compliance company, Hygenisys, hosted a beauty workshop. During the four-hour event, nail industry expert, Marian Newman BEM, spoke about best hygiene and safety practices for nail salons, and Scratch columnist, Kim Ford, shared how to identify a good training course. The Salon Safety Hygiene Rating Scheme was also detailed by Sandra Moore, technical director at Hygenisys.