Nail NATION

Business

Nails.INC announces acquisition & sets sights on North America expansion

London-based nail brand, Nails.INC, has been acquired by Pacific World Corporation, to solidify the brand’s presence in the North American market. Pacific World Corporation is owned by Prospect Capital, a private equity firm based in New York. Renowned for scaling consumer brands, the strategic partnership aims to accelerate Nails.INC’s growth in the US and Canada – both digitally and via retail.

Founded by Thea Green MBE in 1999, Nails.INC focuses on producing fashion-forward, trending colours and innovative products for customers worldwide. The brands consist of Nails.INC and Holler and Glow mask and bathing products.

Of the acquisition, Green comments: “We’re thrilled to partner with Pacific World Corporation and Prospect Capital, who share our vision for empowering individuals through beauty. The collaboration marks a significant milestone in our journey, enabling us to bring our high-quality, cult items to a wider audience in North America.

“With Prospect Capital’s support, we are excited to scale our business, build new partnerships and continue to drive innovation in the beauty space.” Thea Green will continue to lead the company as founder, ensuring the brand’s core values of innovation, inclusivity, community and standout marketing remain central to its mission.

“We see incredible potential in Nails.INC and are excited to be part of the next phase of its journey,” said Bart J. deBie, managing director at Prospect Capital. “Its commitment to fast and agile product innovation and passion for making beauty accessible, resonates deeply with today’s consumers. We believe that together, we can accelerate the brand’s growth in North America and beyond.” www.nailsinc.com

LUXE GEL UK OPENS STORE & SHOWROOM IN WEST SUSSEX

European nail brand, Luxe Gel Professional, has opened its first store and showroom in the UK. Founded in Latvia in 2016 by Oksana Boitmane, the brand offers an extensive range of nail products, including gel polish, builder gel, essentials, an E-file and nail art tools.

Boitmane, brand director, comments: “Luxe Gel’s mission is to provide top-quality products, tools, equipment and accessories for nail professionals, to empower them to create fabulous nail styles.

“The products cater to beginners and seasoned nail tech.s The brand prides itself on being socially responsible and environmentally conscious, and it exudes elegance with its stunning product designs and rich colour palettes.” Professionals can shop the products in the premises at the store and showroom, 137 South Farm Road, Worthing, West Sussex. The premises underwent a six-month transformation to bring Oksana’s vision to life and make the products more accessible to techs. www.luxegel.uk

Business BITE

Torfaen is the best area in the UK to start a new business, according to IT service software company, InvGate, which analysed data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The area in south-east Wales had an 11.74% increase in new businesses between 2022 and 2023. Blackpool and North Warwickshire ranked second and third respectively, with a 7.24% and 5.03% increase in new businesses over the same 12-month period. Wyre Forest had the lowest increase in businesses, at –12.25%, recording a loss of 580 establishments from 2022 to 2023. Of the findings, Ariel Gesto, CEO of InvGate, comments:

“Choosing the right location is one of the most important factors for any startup. The top 10 ranking could be an indication that smaller cities offer greater opportunities to build a business in a less crowded market. Rather than jumping into London or Manchester, one could grow an establishment in a smaller area and then branch out to the highly populated areas.” www.invgate.com

Directory launches to help beauty businesses operate sustainably

The British Beauty Council has launched a Planet Positive Beauty Directory for hair and beauty services, to help industry professionals operate more sustainably.

The portal is easy-to-use, and has been ‘designed to help demystify sustainability-related jargon’, simplifying the steps that salons can take to be environmentally friendly. The launch follows a survey of 1,500 beauty professionals in the UK, which found that 97% believe it’s important to make active decisions to reduce their waste. The study also revealed that an optimistic 84% of pros are open to learning ways to reduce their waste.

Despite the promising results, the research found 60% of participants had received little to no training in sustainability – prompting the launch of the portal: a resource to ‘help professionals understand some of the key issues facing the service sector – including packaging, energy and heating – and how to tackle them’.

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, comments: “Our research shows that beauty professionals want to reduce their impact on the environment and many are taking the initiative to recycle and use refillable products, but there is a knowledge void when it comes to some of the many other ways they can work more sustainably.

“That’s where our new resource comes in, to inform and upskill hair and beauty professionals on practical changes they can make to reduce their waste and carbon emissions. The beauty industry in the UK is bigger than the UK’s creative, arts and entertainment sector, so it’s imperative that beauty professionals are suitably informed about how to work more sustainably.”

Access the Planet Positive Beauty Directory via www.britishbeautycouncil.com/planet-positive-beauty

Salon software company reveals ‘IQ Tipping’ solution for salons & beauty pros

Salon software solutions provider, SalonIQ, has launched a feature to help customers express gratitude to beauty therapists. IQ Tipping allows clients to easily add a tip on top of their treatment cost using their credit or debit cards, ensuring professionals receive 100% of their tips in their bank accounts the same day.

This launch comes after the implementation of the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act, a law to ensure all tips, gratuities and service charges are passed on in full to the workers who earn them.

The legislation aims to eliminate unacceptable tipping practices by requiring employers to distribute tips without any deductions. This allows workers to take claims to employment tribunals if employers fail to comply.

IQ Tipping empowers salons and beauty professionals to adopt fair and transparent tipping practices, allowing clients to quickly tap their cards at the end of their appointments. They can select their desired tip amount, which is then securely processed and sent directly to the service provider’s bank account.

Sam Kendell, chief operating officer at SalonIQ, comments: “With tipping laws in place, we believe in empowering hair and beauty professionals to enhance their earnings while providing clients with a seamless and satisfying experience. “The IQ Tipping feature reflects our commitment to supporting the hair and beauty industry in adapting to changing consumer behaviours.” www.saloniq.com

Best Practice Guide shared by BABTAC to help beauty therapists support menopausal clients

The British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) has released MENOPAUSE: A BABTAC Best Practice Guide, to advise beauty professionals on how to treat menopausal clients effectively and comfortably.

The 12-page guide covers physical and emotional support and how to recognise its signs and symptoms, including physical changes to note. It also suggests products to use during treatments. The guide has been created in partnership with menopause experts, Tracy Munro of The Mindful Menopause Coach, and Veerpal Sandhu, an advanced clinical pharmacist specialising in women’s health and member of the British Menopause Society. Lesley Blair MBE, CEO of BABTAC, comments: “In an industry that has a predominantly female workforce and clientele, it is essential for salon owners and therapists to have the knowledge and processes in place to help both staff and clients navigate treatments for menopausal clients.

“We are a sector synonymous with cultivating physical and mental wellbeing, so believe it is essential for salon owners and staff to be equipped with the understanding to support both their own teams and their clients as they navigate their menopause journeys.”

BABTAC members can access the guide at www.babtac.com

Pleasure

6 LIGHT ELEGANCE JIMMYGEL SHADES LAUNCH TO SUPPORT CLIENT PREFERENCES

Light Elegance has added six shades to its JimmyGel Building Base Gel range. The brush-on formula offers around four weeks’ wear and soak-off removal. “The shades are designed to cater to a wide range of needs and desires, from subtle elegance to shimmery statements,” comments a spokesperson for Light Elegance.

“Like the rest of the JimmyGel family, the hues are formulated for long-lasting, versatile wear and easy application, and offer nail professionals more creative options to meet their clients’ preferences.” The JimmyGel shades are:

• Cappuccino Shimmer – a neutral brown with touch of pink.

• Diamond Dust – a soft, peachy pink with dusting of periwinkle blue shimmer.

• Dusty Rose – a creamy taupe with a touch of pink.

• Lady Pink – a creamy pink with pop of red.

• Precious – a soft, translucent precious pink.

• Sparkling Rosé – a pinkish rosé with a touch of brown and pearl shimmer.

In addition, the brand has released Skinny JimmyGel, a building base gel for fast overlays, gem application and encapsulation. Skinny JimmyGel has a 33% thinner viscosity than original JimmyGel and is ideal for salons with high client turnovers.

www.lightelegance.co.uk

Education BITE

OPI UK has welcomed four freelance educators to its team. Angel Gaffney, Sandra Owusu, Lisa Marie Farag and Sabrina Malik bring a wealth of knowledge to their roles, with experience in salons, as freelance pros, in education and management. The brand hosted a Train The Trainer session at its London studio, which covered OPI’s nail systems, brand history and more.

uk.wella.professionalstore.com

Townhouse nail salon brand partners with Kate Somerville skincare

Multi award-winning nail salon brand, Townhouse, has partnered with Kate Somerville skincare to offer limited edition treatments from its Beverly Hills salon. The collaboration is the first in the US for Townhouse, which has secured three Scratch Stars Awards and boasts over 40 salon locations worldwide. Renowned for its nailcare treatments, it launched in Beverly Hills in May, offering manicures and pedicures with gel and nail polish overlays, and gel extensions.

Until 18 November, two treatments will be available that combine Townhouse’s signature nail artistry with Kate Somerville’s skincare products.

The Townhouse x Kate Somerville Gel Manicure includes nail shaping, cuticle care, a buff and a choice of gel polish colour. It is paired with Kate Somerville’s Goat Milk Body Lotion, designed to hydrate and soothe dry or sensitive skin, and every customer who books a limited edition treatment will receive a Kate Somerville Skincare Gift Set. For customers looking to add on-brand flair, Townhouse is offering an exclusive art design, featuring chic white French tips and an accent nail with Kate Somerville’s signature purple winky face.

“This collaboration marks an exciting moment for Townhouse,” comments Juanita Huber-Millet, founder & chief creative officer at Townhouse. “Townhouse is focused on innovating and pushing boundaries, and combining our signature nail artistry with Kate’s exceptional skincare creates a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Kate Somerville, founder at Kate Somerville, adds: “I love a good manicure, and I’m thrilled for the Kate Somerville brand to partner with Townhouse. It’s all about elevating self-care and beauty in a unique way, and I can’t wait for consumers to experience this special collaboration.”

www.townhousebeauty.com

NAIL & BEAUTY BITES

LASHUS has unveiled three Brow Pencils in versatile shades of neutral light brown, warm medium brown and dark brown. Designed to help beauty pros provide a complete, polished look post-brow treatment and enhance retail opportunities, the LASHUS Brow Pencils are £4.95 + VAT/RRP £10 each and feature a retractable design and spoolie brush.

www.sweetsquared.com

The Professional Beauty North(PB North) exhibition, Manchester, hosted nail competitions for professionals and students, chaired by Marian Newman BEM, with Jacqui O’Sullivan and Sean O’Sullivan as competition directors. Categories included Salon Nail Student, UV Gel Polish Professional and Instanail Professional. Scan to view the results

Embrace seasonal nail styling with five decadent shades from Nail Gaga in the G’elore Hybrid Gel Polish formula. Priced at £11.95 inc VAT each, the hues are Yummy Plummy, Mulberry, Chocha Mocha, Cherry Liqueur and Plum Champagne.

www.nailgaga.co.uk

Nine hairdressers rode 100km in 30-degree Cyprus heat to raise money for the Hair & Beauty Charity. The four-day excursion saw seasoned charity cyclists and new members take part, and the money raised will help beneficiaries across the UK.

www.hairandbeautycharity.org

West Yorkshire-based Titanic Spa, the UK’s first eco-spa, has been honoured with the Best Luxury Adults-only Spa, Best Spa Team and Best Luxury Eco Spa awards at the 2024 LUXE Global Awards. The awards celebrate establishments that offer exceptional experiences to guests and strive to elevate the beauty and spa industries.

www.titanicspa.com

The Kirsty Meakin nail brand has launched three Mystery Boxes: Surprise Me, Thrill Me and Amaze Me, each featuring a handpicked collection of products. Boxes are priced from £100 + VAT and may include gel polishes, Acrygel, precision tools and nail art essentials. Exclusive products are featured inside the Thrill Me and Amaze Me boxes.

www.kirstymeakin.com

Shear Haven, a free, 20-minute online training programme that educates beauty, hair and nail professionals on the signs of domestic abuse, is now available in Spanish and Vietnamese. This expansion aims to provide critical resources to a wider audience and empower more salon professionals to recognise and respond to signs of domestic violence effectively.

www.shearhaventraining.org

INK team tours the UK to deliver nail product advice

INK London educators have been touring the UK to share insight into the brand’s products and answer application questions. Masterclasses in INK’s Flubber system, a flexible yet strong and highly pigmented formula, are offered, with 20% off products at each event.

The INK team has visited Swansea, Frome, Isle of Wight, Birmingham and Nottingham. The remaining tour dates are 9 November (Norwich), 10 November (Crawley) and 11 November (Maldon, Essex). INK London educator, Simone Radley, comments: “The INK Tour has allowed us to see our dedicated customers and show our appreciation for their support of the brand. We have been offering insight into the popular Flubber range and demonstrating INK application techniques, so they can get the most from the products.

“We have also been showcasing SOBIAB base and builder gel and the INK Fit-Tips, explaining when and how they can be used. The tour has allowed us to answer questions about products and meet new customers.”

www.inknails.com

Pure Nails aids easy product removal with new products

Three products have been added to Pure Nails’ Halo product range to support speedy, easy removal of enhancements. After prepping the nails for removal, apply liquid remover to the cotton pad on a Foil Nail Wrap, and wrap one around each nail to secure. Next, place the client’s hands in disposable Heat Mitt Liners and into the Halo Heat Mitts. These microwaveable mitts fit all hand sizes and feature a washable outer cover. Made from a soft velvet material, they have flax seeds in the inner core and the heat speeds up the removal process. The Foil Nail Wraps are available in packs of 10, 100 and 400.

www.purenails.co.uk

DATES FOR THE DIARY

16 November

Virtual Beauty Educators Summit

Trusted Beauty Professionals (TBP) is offering access to five business-focused webinars in its Virtual Beauty Educators Summit, 11am to 3.30pm. For £20, you can increase your understanding of PR, publicity and social media, learn financial skills and how to boss online learning and build teaching foundations. A seven-day replay is available with each ticket purchase, alongside a goody bag and discounts from sponsors.

www.trustedbeautyprofessionals.com

17 November

Maisie’s Nail Tech Soirée

Nail pro, Maisie Jackson of @maisiejacksonbeauty, is hosting a pre-Christmas meet-up for techs. The soirée is to take place at Revolution in Leeds from 6pm to late, and tickets are £30 each. Connect with fellow pros and enjoy a welcome drink, goody bag and festive party atmosphere.

To purchase tickets, search for ‘Maisie’s Nail Tech Soirée’ at www.eventbrite.com

23 November

Nails From South Wales Christmas Party

Celebrate the festive season with fellow self-employed nailists at an exciting event in Newport, South Wales. The evening will run from 7pm to 11pm and feature karaoke, face glittering and a performance from drag star, Justin Drag. There will also be a raffle. Tickets are £35 each.

To purchase tickets, search for ‘Nails From South Wales Christmas Party’ at www.eventbrite.com

26 November

OPI X Wicked Collection Launch Event

OPI is inviting nail techs to try its Holiday ’24 nail colour collection, in collaboration with the Wicked movie, at the Wella Studio, Manchester. Learn about OPI’s Intelli-Gel™ formula and watch nail art demos before enjoying lunch and watching Wicked at the cinema. The £40 ticket also includes a goody bag.

To book, visit doo.net/event/170805/order

30 November

HD Pro Nail Systems X Lecenté Xmas Party

Join HD Professional Nail Systems and Lecenté for a festive celebration. The brands are hosting a fun-filled evening in Thetford, offering the chance to network and socialise with fellow pros while enjoying a party and karaoke. Tickets are £35 each and attendees receive a goody bag. There is also the chance to take part in the Best Dressed Nails competition, judged by HD Pro Nails founder, Hazel Dixon, and Lecenté co-founder, Maria Cientanni.

www.hazeldixonnailartistacademy.com

2 December

Gelossy’s Networking in Nails event

Nail brand, Gelossy, is hosting an event to bring the nail community together and ‘encourage, empower and support’ their needs. The afternoon will feature brand insights, product discounts, advice on building social media strategies and live demonstrations. All attendees will receive a goody bag with over £40 of Gelossy goodies.

Email Danielle: gelossy@roseandcaramel.co.uk to confirm your space.