2024: The industry rewind

Scratch rounds up nail & beauty sector highlights from the past year

North America’s Star Nail Artist contest launches

Following the success and excitement of The World’s Star Nail Artist competition in 2023, Scratch launched a nail art contest to celebrate and recognise creatives in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Open to nail professionals of all levels, North America’s Star Nail Artist (NASNA) is supported by CND™ (founding sponsor), Light Elegance, Gelish, LeChat, Glitterbels and 3EM Entertainment. In September, a shortlist of 40 nail pros was announced, and monthly challenges are underway. Eliminations take place after each challenge, and a top three will be unveiled in May. These nail artists will be flown to the Premiere Orlando trade exhibition in June, where the winner will be announced. They will receive a cash prize, products and press coverage – including a Scratch cover opportunity and 12-month column series in the magazine.

Helena Biggs

Contestant, Jennie Shaw, created this haunted house design for Challenge One.

Helena Biggs, Scratch’s editorial & partnerships director, comments: “This competition represents an opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and creativity that define our industry. We are excited by the innovative designs and techniques that participants are demonstrating at each challenge stage.”

For more information about the contest, scan here or visit www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/nasna

OPI collaborates with Wicked movie

OPI teamed up with Universal Pictures’ musical movie, Wicked, to create a bewitching collection of 21 nail colours. It features 12 colour-matched shades in OPI Nail Lacquer and GelColor formulas, and nine Infinite Shine Long-wear Lacquer hues, inspired by the vibrant world of Oz.

Cynthia Erivo

Award-winning actress & musician, Cynthia Erivo, who plays protagonist, Elphaba, in the Wicked film, was named OPI global brand ambassador. Within this role, she shares creative and innovative looks that incorporate shades from the OPI x Wicked colour collection. The actress has been flaunting extravagant nail designs during promotional stints for the film. Turn to page 89 to check some of them out!

DJ Luck & MC Neat performed for partygoers.

NAIL PROS WERE CELEBRATED AT THE SCRATCH STARS PARTY

The most anticipated night in the nail industry calendar returned for its 12th year, welcoming 300 nail pros and friends to enchanting London venue, The Underglobe, on 21 July. The annual event shines a light on the success of industry professionals and business from the UK&I, and this year’s proceeedings were hosted by Scratch’s Helena Biggs and DJ, podcaster & former Rugby Union Star, James Haskell. Attendees enjoyed performances from Shola Ama and DJ Luck & MC Neat, and the winners of 18 Scratch Stars Awards titles were revealed.

Learn more about the Scratch Stars Awards by scanning here or visiting www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/scratchstars

Nailympia London celebrates 20th anniversary & launches event in Ho Chi Minh City

International nail competition, Nailympia, marked 20 years of its flagship London event on 13-14 October at Salon Beauty, ExCel London. The iteration welcomed 165 competitors from 32 countries, competing across 19 categories (arena and online), with their nail prowess judged by a team of global experts. The awards ceremony not only celebrated the talent of competitors, but the lasting commitment from the Nailympia team in ensuring nail professionals are recognised, with industry maestros thanking Nailympia global director, Alex Fox, for her support.

The first Nailympia Vietnam was held on 10 and 11 April, hosted by Damon Ho in Ho Chi Minh City and supported by Alex Fox. It welcomed 91 participants, whose skills were judged by industry pros. With an atmosphere described as ‘crackling with excitement’, the two-day event was full of exceptional talent, with a closing awards ceremony that featured fireworks to celebrate Nailympia’s inception in the country. Nailympia is preparing for its Vietnam return in 2025. www.nailympia.com

Industry experts recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List

Chief of policy & sustainability at the British Beauty Council (BBCo), Victoria Brownlie MBE, was named in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024.

Victoria Brownlie MBE

The Sussex-born expert received an MBE for her services to the beauty Victoria Brownlie MBE and personal care industry, particularly her advocacy for equitable access for minority communities and focus on sustainability.

She also played a notable role in securing £500m of targeted support for the beauty industry during the Covid-19 pandemic, in her former role as director of policy & public affairs at the National Hair & Beauty Federation, and her current role within the BBCo.

Eve Taylor DBE

Eve Taylor, founder of Eve Taylor London, was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List. The accolade recognised her contributions to business in the aromatherapy and skincare industry and, having founded her skincare business in 1968, the 92-year-old continues to work full-time at her company.

Nail salons revealed as the most common beauty business in the UK

Research from Money.co.uk Business found that nail salons are the most common beauty trade in the UK. Analysing the number of beauty businesses in 20 of the UK’s biggest cities, nail salons claimed the top spot – with 2,106 recorded. Hair salons scooped second place – with 1,873 reported, followed by lash technicians (1,170), skincare clinics (1,147), waxing salons (770) and make-up artists – with 537 businesses. www.money.co.uk/business-insurance

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

Salon, spa and fitness booking app, Vagaro, conducted a survey, which found 65% of LGBTQIA+ consumers feel ‘somewhat or very’ represented in the hair and beauty industry. Comfort in gender expression saw an optimistic response, with 63% feeling at ease expressing their gender in 2024. Generation X is the age group that evidenced the highest levels.

2024: Top nail art trends

The past 12 months have seen a variety of nail styles and finishes dominate client requests and social media feeds. Here are the top nail art trends to note:

Nail artist, @pressed.byp, uses blooming gel to create flower designs, abstract shapes and crocodile print finishes.

stagram.com/pressed.byp

A cat eye effect was the brief for nail artist, San Sung Kim.

Instagram.com/sansungnails

OPTICAL ILLUSION NAILS

This year has seen the rise in popularity of optical illusion nails – namely blooming gel, cat eye and aura designs. This aligns with the surge in maximalist manicures, with the ‘more is better’ mentality inspiring nail requests.

Instagram.com/jennyznails

3D MANICURES

3D manicures took the summer months by storm, and incorporated the mermaidcore and floral trends. Sculpting techniques were used to create wave and shell textures on nails.

Instagram.com/corinadelagarza

BRAT GREEN NAILS

Charli XCX’s album, Brat, featuring a ‘brat green’ album cover, saw nail enthusiasts request a bright green hue for nails.

Scratch’s most viewed article

The most viewed article on www.scratchmagazine.co.uk in 2024 is ‘10 on-trend nail art ideas for autumn 2024’, amassing over 60,000 views.

The GelBottle Inc founder opens TGB Spa

Daisy Kalnina

Daisy Kalnina, founder of The GelBottle Inc and travels and interiors company, by DKollection, opened TGB Spa in Brighton. Merging her passion for nails and interior design, the businesswoman has created Daisy Kalnina a luxurious beauty destination, offering an extensive treatment and retail menu ‘catering to Brighton’s busy professionals, parents and partygoers’. Nail clients can choose express and luxury manicure and pedicure options, featuring The GelBottle Inc and Peacci products. The nail services join a long list of additional treatments also offered within the sanctuary-like space, which has a warm, modern aesthetic.