THE Scratch Scoop: Events & antics across the industry

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5 mins

THE scratch scoop

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

Helena Biggs Editorial & partnerships director

Jess Wilkie Art editor

Rebecca Hitchon Deputy editor

Jess Watts Multiplatform writer

Rebecca, Jess & Modi.

AI artistry

Umia Beauty invited Rebecca and Jess Watts to witness its artificial intelligence manicure studio in action. The machine scans nails and creates gel polish styles in under 20 minutes, with pros able to upload designs to Umia’s platform and earn a commission every time they are chosen. Rebecca and Jess spoke with Umia Beauty co-founder, Modi Liu, about how the device supports busy pros by automating time-consuming processes and reducing strain. She also revealed details of Umia’s AI Nail Art Scavenger Hunt during British Beauty Week.

The greatest afternoon

Team Scratch enjoyed an afternoon of chats, team building and fun in London, kicking off with lunch at popular pub, The Prince, near Earl’s Court. This provided the fuel for the main event: watching Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular, a fantastic show that featured acrobatics, songs from the hit film and immersive experiences.

REPLAY

How a Multi-Channel Marketing qualification can raise a salon profile Business coach, Jessica Crane & founder of TNB Training Skills, Sarah Abel, offer insights into their Level 3, fully-funded Multi-Channel Marketing qualification to support salon businesses.

Rewatch Scratch’s recent interviews with industry pros!

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Time for tea with Roxi

Jackson Shaw

The team at NSI UK welcomed Helena and Scratch’s publisher, Scott Derbyshire, to The Garden Café in Monton, near Manchester. Over afternoon tea, nail brand Roxi was unveiled to attendees: a range of TPO and HEMA-free gel polishes, builder gels and nailcare essentials, manufactured in the UK.

NSI brand ambassadors and local nail professionals got to grips with the products at a nail demo desk, and a magician excited with tricks at each table. Jackson Shaw, project manager at NSI UK and Roxi, shared news of the brand’s plans, including an expansion to include L&P acrylic and hard gel ranges. A raffle saw lucky guests win prizes including a Roxi lamp, prosecco and chocolates.

Education & E-file extravaganza

Rebecca headed to ExCel London’s CentrEd facilities for an inside look at Gelish’s Educator Training 2025. The three-day event brought together 32 new and existing Gelish educators from across the globe, to refresh product knowledge and develop skills needed to support students. Rebecca attended the assessment day, which saw the pros use a range of Gelish products on each other. The results were analysed by Antony Buckley, Gelish’s European director of education, and Najet Hamila Strand, global director of education at Nail Alliance. A Distributor Day took place alongside, featuring expert talks for global Gelish distributors and an exclusive look at upcoming launches – including the Go File Wireless Electric Nail File, which educators were able to try out.

Nail Alliance team members: Jake Daniel, Gari-Dawn Tingler & David Daniel.

Decking out nails with OPI colour

Rebecca and Jess Watts attended OPI’s Christmas launch event at Wella World Studio, London, alongside OPI freelance educators, Nail Bosses and profluencers. OPI brand manager, Mei Posso, and education brand manager, Charlotte Lowe, unveiled plans for the OPI community over the next year, alongside the Good Enough to Treat collection: 24 shades inspired by sweet festive delights.

Content creator & former Scratch columnist, Sadie Jordan (@sadiejnails), took to the stage to lead a demo using the collection, showing how to paint snowflake, swirl, star, berry and reindeer nail art.

OPI pros: Jessica Price, Emma Brock & Lucy Price.

Sadie Jordan

Shopping & learning at Sunday Service

Nail Order hosted its annual Sunday Service event at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham. Opened by brand founders, Bekka and Chris Costello, the jam-packed day featured seminars and opportunities to network, plus shop for nail products and salon accessories. The event was attended by hundreds of nail pros, and the itinerary included stage talks from celebrity & session nail stylist, Robbie Tomkins; nail content creator & Scratch columnist, Zoya Mac; nail artist & educator, Megan Heppinstall and entrepreneur & nail pro, Lara Solway. A panel discussion about social media as a business tool was led by Clawgasmic’s Chantelle Johnson; nail artist, Alex Philamond; nail pro & content creator, Kae Edwards and nail stylist, Shannon of @nailsbyshan_xo. In the evening, Nail Order hosted an afterparty, where dancing, drinking and fun was had.

Helena with Robbie Tomkins.

What we’re wearing...

Tortoiseshell nails are always popular in autumn, and Helena embraced the trend with a full coverage tortie mani. Nail stylist, @beckthenailteck of Dartford, Kent, created the look, elevating it with liquid chrome outlines using Mirror Gold Detail Paint from HONA.

At the Umia Beauty event, Rebecca received a London-themed nail art design using the AI manicure studio. It featured a blue base with beefeater, red bus, London Eye and Big Ben motifs.

The Mii Cosmetics nail team.

Tina Paschalidou, marketing executive at Gerrard International, with Jess.

Costelloe couture

Jess Watts was invited to join Mii Cosmetics at London Fashion Week. The beauty brand was responsible for creating the nail looks at Paul Costelloe’s SS26 showcase, Boulevard of Dreams. Using Colour Confidence Nail Polishes in apricot crème, Coral Camellia, and baby blue Clear Skies, the nail team, led by Sophia Stylianou of @sophiastylianou_, created styles to complement the designer’s collection. Jess attended the 1960s-inspired show, before heading backstage to chat to the nail team about how it highlighted Paul Costelloe’s playful vision through its artistry.

Brand watching & competitor spotting at Professional Beauty Autumn & Nailympia London

Helena, Rebecca and Jess Watts headed to Professional Beauty Autumn 2025. The two-day event at the ExCel centre, London, featured brand showcases and education opportunities, and hosted the 21st Nailympia London – powered by Scratch. The competition was the final iteration in this year’s Nailympia cycle, with hundreds of nail professionals descending onto the arena floor to compete. The Scratch team was involved in the behind-the-scenes buzz, chatting to familiar faces, capturing content and assisting with admin.