SCRATCH SOCIAL

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

Rebecca Hitchon Editor

Jess Watts Multiplatform writer

Jess Wilkie Art editor

A big Birmingham bake

Birmingham beckoned Helena, who was invited by the team at Katie Barnes Tool Range to take part in a bake off. The fun event brought together the brand’s affiliates, and began with a talk from founder, Katie Clark (née Barnes), followed by insight from a TikTok expert, who revealed how to enhance sales and reach on the platform. Attendees then split into teams of two or three to create and decorate a four-storey cake featuring the Katie Barnes Tool Range logo. Goody bags were gifted to all, which included the Katie Barnes Tool Range Ultra Sonic Cleaner and a copy of Scratch. Additional prizes were presented to the ‘Star Bakers’ of the day – Belinda and Jessica Price of Nailspa, Huddersfield.

Lights, camera, cover shoot!

Jess Watts headed to Wella World Studio in London, where members of the OPI UK&I team hosted a spring-themed photo shoot for Scratch’s April front cover, using shades from the OPIcons collection. Alongside capturing behind-the-scenes content, Jess interviewed OPI field educator,

Tracy Dudziak, who created the cover nail style. Turn to page 16 to read about the concept.

What we’re wearing...

Helena swung into spring with a floral-themed manicure courtesy of Rebecca Ellis of @beckthenailteck, Dartford. Inspired by a design posted on Instagram by Carrie Williams (@truebeautybycarrie), Helena chose lilac and pink shades for the flowers, which were enhanced with gold chrome stems.

An OPIconic anniversary event

Helena and Rebecca were invited to celebrate OPI’s 45th anniversary with members of its UK&I community at The Grove Hotel and Spa, Hertfordshire. The brand team introduced the OPIcons collection for spring 2026 and presented the OPI UK&I brand story, with its pioneers, Lena White, and daughter, Lisa Bennett, in attendance. Artist, Chanda Patel, led a painting workshop, before attendees got creative on OPI Nail Lacquer bottles. The day closed with the OPIcons Awards, in which Scratch was delighted to scoop the title of Iconic Nail Magazine!

Lena White & Lisa Bennett.

Rebecca and Helena’s painted Nail Lacquer bottles.

The beauty sector in a ballroom

Rebecca attended Respect Live 2026 – The State of Our Sector: a powerful event organised by the National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) as part of its Respect Our Sector campaign. Industry professionals, campaigners and media gathered in London’s Bloomsbury Ballroom, where the NHBF team revealed the findings of its latest State of the Sector survey. Check out its conclusions on page 10. Panel talks were also hosted, which explored the industry’s future, and insight was shared into the NHBF Manifesto 2026.