Nail NATION: news & views
business
GREAT BRITAIN’S TPO BAN: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR NAIL PRODUCTS, SUPPLIERS & TECHS?
Caroline Rainsford
Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a photoinitiator that helps gel nail products cure quickly under UV light and maintain colour stability, will be banned from cosmetic products placed on the market in Great Britain from 15 August 2026. This follows the ban of the ingredient within the EU cosmetics market that was enforced on 1 September 2025.
“In January, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published a Statutory Instrument (SI) amending the Annexes to the UK Cosmetics Regulations, which includes a ban on TPO,” details Caroline Rainsford, director of science at The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA). “For product manufacturers, the ‘placing on the market’ deadline is 15 August 2026, and the ‘making available on the market’ (off-shelf) deadline is 14 February 2027. “This means that professionals will not be able to purchase products containing TPO after 14 February 2027. However, professionals operating in Great Britain can still use products they have already purchased after this date.”
The differing dates of the enforcement between the UK and EU are due to ‘parallel, but separate, regulatory systems for chemicals and cosmetics’. The EU Cosmetics Regulation applies in Northern Ireland, so products containing TPO have not been legal to purchase in the region since 1 September 2025. The 2026/2027 dates apply to England, Scotland and Wales. “The ban on the ingredient in the EU and GB is based on extreme caution and doesn’t mean that current cosmetic products containing TPO are unsafe,” Caroline continues. “This is further supported by independent expert scientific panel, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), which conducted a detailed safety review of TPO in 2014 and concluded that the way it is used in cosmetics is safe.”
Dates to note:
• Manufacturers must not place any products containing TPO on the market in Great Britain from 15 August 2026.
• Distributors will not be able to make any products containing TPO available for professionals to purchase after 14 February 2027.
• Practicing nail technicians in Great Britain will not be able to purchase products containing TPO after 14 February 2027. However, professionals operating in Great Britain can still use any products they have already purchased after this date.
CTPA’s website: www.thefactsabout.co.uk provides facts and key advice on cosmetics and personal care products.
Sam Silver
ONE IN FIVE UK HAIR & BEAUTY BUSINESSES OPERATING AT A LOSS, SURVEY FINDS
The National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) has unveiled the findings of its latest State of the Sector survey, revealing a ‘busy but not profitable’ hair and beauty industry.
The results, sourced from 423 professionals, show growing pressure on UK hair and beauty businesses, with rising employment and operating costs meaning that nearly three quarters are running on thin margins. Most are making only a small profit or breaking even, and 20% are operating at a loss. The majority of survey respondents shared that they believe their businesses will survive the next six months, but over 30% are unsure about their short-term futures. When asked which cost areas are having the largest impact, hair and beauty businesses cited increases to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, increases to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and energy prices. Almost three-quarters of respondents said that they expect to increase prices in the next three months, and 388 stated that they are unlikely or definitely not planning to take on apprentices in that timeframe.
Sam Silver, head of policy & public affairs at the NHBF, comments: “These results show a sector that is working incredibly hard but operating with very little headroom. Many businesses are busy with clients, yet struggling to generate profit once rising employment costs, energy prices and other overheads are taken into account. The evidence also shows how these pressures are directly affecting decisions on recruitment, apprenticeships and investment. “NHBF is using this evidence to continue pushing the UK government for a fairer operating environment for our sector, while making sure businesses know that practical support and guidance is available to them.”
www.nhbf.co.uk
Vodex expands premises to include demonstration and marketing hubs
Industrial fume and dust extraction specialist, Vodex, has announced a HQ expansion, and is taking over a neighbouring unit to increase its storage capabilities and support continued business growth.
The move marks a new chapter for the company, and the team comments: “The expansion is the direct result of the collective effort, commitment and consistency shown across every department. It reflects the hard work that has driven the business forward and puts us in a strong position for the years ahead.” In addition to increased storage, the expanded premises will introduce two dedicated areas designed to enhance both customer experience and internal operations. A demonstration space will give prospective customers a more ‘hands-on and informative’ introduction to Vodex’s products, while the marketing team will benefit from a purpose-built content creation area.
Vodex reports that its team is excited to be entering a new era, with the move representing ‘a major step forward’ for the company.
www.vodex.co.uk
Alison Bladh
Beauty pro launches accredited menopause massage method
Award-winning nutritionist, author & CIDESCO-qualified aesthetician, Alison Bladh, has created a massage treatment to help women navigate menopause, and is sharing her expertise with salons worldwide. The Meno Massage Method™ draws on Alison’s 30 years of clinical experience in women’s skin health, blending ‘specialised massage movements, nervous system support, breathwork, reflex-inspired touch, nutrition and lifestyle medicine to address the specific needs of women aged 40 and over’. The treatment is built on three key pillars:
1. Mind and Body Reset – through specialised massage treatments.
2. Nutritional Support – offering expert guidance on menopause-specific nutrition.
3. Lifestyle Medicine – strategies designed to relieve menopausal symptoms and support overall wellbeing. Alison explains: “What sets this training apart is its comprehensive approach. Beauty therapists not only learn massage techniques, but gain a deep understanding of hormonal changes and how shifts in oestrogen, progesterone and cortisol affect energy, skin, mood and overall wellbeing.”
Of The Meno Massage Method™ , clients have reported ‘improved sleep, reduced tension, better mood balance and a welcome sense of being understood and supported during a challenging life transition’.
www.alisonbladh.com/menomassage
Caroline Larissey
UK GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES TAX EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES
The UK Government has launched a campaign to help people build the tax knowledge they need ‘to feel informed, capable and in control’. The scheme, Tax Confident, is aimed at small businesses, but can be used by others. Clear, simple and engaging resources are provided to help SMEs take control of their taxes with confidence.
The UK Government website states: “You don’t need to become a tax expert – you just need to get your head around the basics. These pages help you understand more about tax, give you confidence and fill any gaps in your knowledge.” The campaign educates on matters such as common types of small business tax, startup tax necessities, ongoing business management, different ways tax is collected and tax for specific industries.
Caroline Larissey, NHBF chief executive, comments: “For too long, many hair and beauty businesses have had to navigate complex rules with limited time and support. Making guidance clearer and more accessible helps people get things right first time, reduces unnecessary anxiety and supports a level playing field for responsible businesses.”
taxconfident.campaign.gov.uk
Lesley Blair MBE
BABTAC highlights cosmetic procedure safety concerns
A report published by the Women and Equalities Committee spotlights safety concerns regarding surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. It draws attention to ‘high-harm treatments’ such as liquid BBLs (Brazilian Butt Lifts), the lack of regulation in non-surgical procedures and the risks associated with cosmetic tourism. The report states: “The absence of a legislative framework for training and qualifications in the non-surgical cosmetic sector has resulted in significant variability in standards, with justified concerns about short courses, online training and the ease of entry into practice.”
The report urges the UK Government to ‘bring forward consistent, enforceable standards for the non-surgical cosmetic sector that prioritise patient safety and competency, while ensuring training routes remain accessible and affordable for a predominantly female-led workforce’. BABTAC (British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology) played a direct role in informing the Committee’s findings, and Lesley Blair MBE, BABTAC CEO & chair, comments: “With treatments becoming more accessible due to lower costs, decisions that should involve careful research are sometimes made more impulsively. Without enforceable standards, self-regulation leaves consumers exposed to harm and undermines the professionalism of the sector. [BABTAC] supports initiatives that educate the public, especially young people, about potential harms and encourage responsible use of social media to promote realistic body image.”
www.babtac.com
pleasure
REVEALED: THE 10 MOST SEARCHED NAIL TRENDS FOR SPRING 2026
Beauty booking platform, Fresha, has revealed the top 10 nail trends for spring, based on search data comparing figures from 2025 and 2026. The results point to a season defined by playful patterns, soft shades and a renewed love of nail art.
Taking the top spot are polka dot nails, with a staggering 2,100% increase in searches. Customisable, speedy and timeless, the pattern re-entered the trendsphere on the back of celebrity endorsement, with the likes of Hailey Bieber and Dua Lipa sporting spotty nail styles.
In second place – with a 467% increase in searches since 2025, is the butter yellow nail trend. Warm, joyful and fresh, the shade lends itself to block colour looks, chrome finishes and playful accents, making it an easy seasonal sell for clients seeking to brighten their looks.
Minimalism takes third place on the podium, inspired by the clean girl aesthetic that prompted a rise in barely-there beauty. Nude nails, micro art and subtle shades are popular, with searches for ‘minimal manicure’ increasing by 250%. Rounding out the top 10 trends are cat eye swirls, earth-toned talons, plaid designs, confetti claws, milky white manis, floral styles and orange-red nails.
Find out more about each trend via bit.ly/freshaspring2026
Rosie Lynall
Birmingham nail designer collaborates with museum to create manicure masterpiece
Rosie Lynall, a nail artist & designer working from Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, has collaborated with Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to create a miniature work of art.
“The team at Fitzwilliam Museum contacted me in late 2025 and asked if I’d create a nail design inspired by pieces from their collections,” shares Rosie, who works under the business name, Nails Bab. “The concept was to explore how contemporary artists from different genres reinterpret historical artwork. I have a background in art and my style focuses on intricate, hand-painted designs, so the idea of translating museum pieces onto such a small canvas was a natural fit.” The museum houses works of art and material culture, primarily from Europe, North Africa and Asia. It collaborates with partners worldwide to explore how collections can be better understood, cared for and shared.
Rosie visited the space in November to glean ideas for the nail design, and reveals: “It was hard to choose what to focus on because there were so many pieces I loved. I decided on a porcelain floral nail base inspired by items in the ceramics galleries. However, after seeing many still life paintings, I knew I wanted to weave their influence into the final design, so I incorporated some tiny 3D fruits.” The finished look took a few days to complete, with Rosie working on small areas at a time. “By translating museum pieces into nail designs, people can engage with historical artwork in a new way,” she comments. “It was really exciting to bring nail art into a museum context and show how it can exist as a legitimate form of artistic expression, as nails are miniature canvasses.”
Follow Rosie & the Fitzwilliam Museum on
Instagram
: @nails.bab & @fitzmuseum_uk
NAIL & BEAUTY BITES
Professional health, beauty, corporate & hospitality workwear supplier, Buttercups Uniforms, has launched the B051 Contemporary Style. The sleek, sculpting tunic features breathable bi-stretch fabric and flattering waist details. It is available in black and sizes 6 to 20.
www.buttercupsuniforms.com
Disposable towel brand, Enki, has introduced mascot: Erni Enki. The lovable character sports the brand’s signature green colour and was brought to life with the help of the Enki community – with customers and salon professionals voting on the name.
www.enkitowels.com
Nail product & education brand, Nail & Beauty Excellence, has released HardBuild Gel. Available in eight shades, the self-levelling, HEMA and TPO-free builder gel can be used to create durable overlays, extensions and sculpted enhancements.
www.nailandbeautyexcellence.com
Beauty tool brand, Tweezerman, has partnered with Nottingham Forest Netball to empower the next generation of women in sport. By investing in programmes including Forest Netball Confidence Clinics, it hopes to create ‘supportive spaces where young players can develop their skills, build mental toughness and grow in confidence, both on and off the court’.
www.tweezerman.com
Nail and beauty expert & brand founder, Leighton Denny MBE, has added Hazy Lilac to his Leighton Denny Nail Illuminator range. The 2-in-1 treatment-polish hybrid is a semi-sheer lilac hue formulated to brighten, hydrate and protect nails.
www.leightondenny.com
Last month, luxury nail salon brand, Townhouse, joined forces with prebiotic drink company, Living Things Soda. A pop-up nail bar appeared in Waitrose, Canary Wharf, offering themed manicures with Living Things nail art stickers.
www.townhouse.co.uk
Modi Liu
AI-powered beauty brand collaborates with Disney
To celebrate Lunar New Year, Disney’s Shanghai store offered themed nail art to customers via Umia Beauty’s AI-powered manicure studio. The nail art machine directly applies intricate patterns to nails, and serves to automate time-consuming nail tasks, while compensating nail artists for their work.
Throughout February, Umia Beauty‘s automated nail art experience allowed customers to choose from Disney-themed nail looks specially created for the event. These included Mickey and Minnie Mouse designs, and styles featuring Zootopia characters, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.
“Over recent months, we’ve worked with brands from L’Occitane to Kering and WGSN,” says Modi Liu, Umia Beauty co-founder. “The common feedback we have received is that they love the accuracy and consistency delivered by the Umia machine, the efficiency at which art is created and the immersive experience. “The partnership with Disney feels both surreal and deeply affirming,” Modi continues. “By collaborating with a brand as iconic as Disney, it feels like we’re one step closer to what we set out to do from the beginning: making nail art a more widely accessible experience.
“When an organisation that understands storytelling, joy and emotional connection on a global scale recognises the value of nail art, it validates our belief that this is more than beauty – it’s a form of everyday delight.”
www.umia.beauty
Isabelle Cross
SUFFOLK SALON OWNER COMPLETES 24-HOUR CHARITY BEAUTY-A-THON
Isabelle Cross, beauty pro & owner of Ixworth salon, Studio.19, completed 24 hours of back-to-back beauty appointments to raise money for Breast Cancer Now – a charity dedicated to life-changing research and care. Alongside the beauty services, Isabelle ran a raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses.
“The response was incredible, with £2,334 raised – well exceeding my original £500 target,” Isabelle shares. Over the 24 hours, Isabelle completed nail services including gel and builder gel manicures, as well as beauty treatments such as lash lifts. She describes seeing the final total as an ‘emotional moment’, and the endeavour itself as something she’ll ‘never forget’. “Throughout the event, I received messages from people cheering me on,” Isabelle continues. “Knowing that so many people were behind me kept me going through the toughest moments. The event has shown the power of the beauty industry and the strength of local communities coming together for a cause.”
www.instagram.com/studio.19___
DATES FOR THE DIARY
6 April
Scratch Stars Awards
finalists announced
Finalists in the 19 Scratch Stars Awards categories for 2026 will be unveiled across Scratch’s social media platforms and on its website, highlighting exceptional nail techs, salons, educators and teams in the UK and Ireland. Each finalist will go through a judging stage – which may involve a mystery shop or live task, and the overall winner in each category will be unveiled at The Scratch Stars Party in London on 5 July.
www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/scratchstars
19 April
Niche Nail Network
Shopping, networking and learning experience, Niche Nail Network, will take place at Cranmore Park, Solihull. This will be the fourth iteration of the event, which was created by three industry professionals to connect nail artists and product houses, while serving up seminars to enhance skills. Niche Nail Network 2026 features over 20 exhibiting brands, six expert demonstrations, goody bags for attendees and a networking hub.
www.nichenailnetwork.co.uk
20-22 May
Nailympia China
The second iteration of Nailympia in China invites nail professionals from all over the world to compete in Shanghai across three days. On-site categories include Salon Nails, Stiletto Nails and Gel Polish Manicure. There are also two poster and four hand-in categories that can be submitted remotely.
www.nailympia.com/china