ABOUT CATRIONA LEITH
Cambridgeshire-based Cat Leith boasts 19 years’ experience in the nail sector. She juggles salon and education roles, crafting artistic creations for the loyal clients of her business, The Nail Studio, while delivering high-quality training to pros as co-head of education for Hazel Dixon Nail Artist Academy.
Cat has scooped a multitude of awards, including the Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year and One Stroke Artist of the Year accolades in 2022, 2023 and 2024. As a result, she entered the awards’ Hall Of Fame for both categories.
www.thenailstudiocambridge.co.uk /thenailstudiocb @thenailstudiocb
HOW TO SAY NO TO NO-SHOWS
N o-shows and last-minute cancellations can have serious financial and operational impacts on salon businesses and self-employed nail techs.
One of the biggest repercussions of no-shows is financial loss. A missed appointment means 100% loss of income within that time slot, with no compensation for the outgoings that come with running a business.
When a client doesn’t show up to their appointment, you still need to cover rent of a property or desk, utilities, nail supplies, software costs and any staff wages. If your average nail treatment price is £40, two no-shows per week amounts to a massive loss of £4,150 per year. That could be the difference between profit and loss for a small business.
No-shows not only have financial implications, but scheduling and operations are also impacted. Having unplanned gaps within your diary can disrupt the flow of your day. It is also difficult to fill short-notice openings, especially if you don’t work in a public setting like a high street and offer walk-in appointments.
It can be particularly frustrating if you have a waiting list of clients who seek appointments, yet a slot sits empty due to a no-show.
Additionally, no-shows can affect the time you have available for breaks and appointment preparation, which can create a stressful environment and impact your mental health. Financial uncertainty can cause anxiety, and repeated no-shows can lead to techs feeling undervalued, disrespected and discouraged – as well as appearing unsuccessful. This could result in burnout or even talented nail pros leaving the industry.
‘‘ Financial uncertainty can cause anxiety, and repeated no-shows can lead to techs feeling undervalued, disrespected and discouraged. ‘‘
‘‘ Having policies in place is not about punishment: it’s about protecting your livelihood and time. ‘‘
Fortunately, there are measures you can take to prevent no-shows and last-minute cancellations. Here are my top tips:
• Implement strong policies: Sending clear, set terms and conditions to clients prior to their appointments helps them understand the consequences of a no-show.
• Take non-refundable deposits: Requesting this at the time of booking stops 100% of an appointment price being lost in the event of a no-show.
• Have a 24–48-hour cancellation policy: A cancellation policy ensures clients know they must cancel with plenty of notice, or incur a fee.
• Charge no-show fees or appointment prepayment: Many booking systems can automatically do this, helping to avoid the financial impact of no-shows and the awkwardness of asking clients for money.
• Send automated booking reminders: Automatic reminders via text or email help clients remember their upcoming appointments, and prompt them to cancel in plenty of time if they can no longer make it.
Having policies in place is not about punishment: it’s about protecting your livelihood and time. Ensuring that your schedule and costs are respected helps build a successful business.
Cat x
Scratch Stars Awards
2026 entry closes on 15 March. Submit a form or nominate a pro or business via scratchmagazine.co.uk/scratchstars
`STEP-BY-STEP: Cat eye swirls
You will need:
• Black gel polish.
• Cat eye gel polishes in various shades.
• Liner brush.
• Cat eye magnet.
• Glossy gel polish top coat.
Step 1 Prep the nail, then apply a black gel polish and cure.
Step 2 Using different coloured cat eye gel polishes and a liner brush, paint swirls across the nail, ensuring there is a gap between each one. Cure after each swirl, once the desired shimmer effect has been created with the magnet.
Step 3 Continue creating cat eye swirls as in step 2, until you have achieved the pattern desired. Once satisfied with the look, apply glossy gel polish top coat and cure.
Step 4 Buff the top coat to ensure the nail surface is as smooth as possible.
Step 5 Reapply the glossy top coat and cure to finish.