Nail NATION

McConnell Labs rebrands & appoints nail authority as CEO

Beauty manufacturer, McConnell Labs: the company behind Light Elegance Nail Products, has rebranded to Modern Chemistry Labs (MCL), following its acquisition by Impact Equity Partners.

The company has also announced the appointment of nail industry authority & finance expert, Elizabeth (Liz) Morris, as chief executive officer.

Read about the changes from page 32.

Art concept: Chris Agius-Burke, CGI artist: Justin Metz

Report reveals the beauty industry’s emotional & economic impact

The British Beauty Council has unveiled The Impact of Beauty – a report by Oxford Economics that explores the sector’s social, cultural and economic value. It draws on data including a national survey.

Key takeaways include that consumers place greater importance on beauty and personal care products and services than gym and fitness memberships, streaming subscriptions and eating out. This is partly down to the feelings they create: three-quarters of those regularly using beauty products and services said they have a positive impact on how they feel. The report states that these products and treatments help consumers to feel more resilient when facing everyday challenges, and more confident during social occasions. Beauty services also provide impactful interactions, with 44% of those surveyed saying they had a meaningful conversation with a service provider in the past six months. Almost one fifth (18%) of respondents noted that in some weeks, a beauty appointment is one of the only times they interact with others.

The Impact of Beauty report reveals how personal care businesses create footfall and subsequently support high streets. For 55% of those surveyed, their most recent beauty appointments took place on a high street or in a town centre, and in 86% of these cases, the appointment was the main reason for their visit. Half of these visits were then accompanied by additional spending at local businesses. Interestingly, the report details that in smaller high streets, hair and beauty salons account for around a fifth of leisure amenities – the same as pubs, bars and cafés combined. www.britishbeautycouncil.com

John Gillespie & George Hammer

Urban Retreat Suites open to support London’s independent beauty pros

Founded in the late 1990s, Urban Retreat is a luxury hair, beauty and wellness brand that boasted prestigious UK salon locations, including a 16-year stint on the fifth floor of Harrods. Now, it’s back – but not as it was once known. Relaunching as Urban Retreat Suites, the company ‘returns with suites to give ambitious professionals the platform, heritage and community to grow businesses of their own’.

Bringing together Urban Retreat founder, George Hammer; international development director, Reena Hammer, and hair industry leader & educator, John Gillespie, the venture ‘responds to a fundamental change in the professional beauty landscape’.

The collection of private suites – the first of which is located at One Smithfield, London, aims ‘to create a destination for the wider professional community: a place where education happens, brands launch, industry bodies meet, creatives connect and ideas are shared’.

“Urban Retreat Suites is about giving talented professionals the backing, environment and credibility to become business owners, with the standards and support that has traditionally only come from an established salon,” the company said.

“Independence should feel exciting, not isolating,” adds CEO, John Gillespie. “We want to create an environment where talented people can make their own decisions and build their own brands, but still feel part of something with energy, ambition and industry connection.”

The first Urban Retreat Suites location opens this month.

www.urbanretreat.co.uk

SCRATCH TO HOST ONE-DAY NAIL INDUSTRY EVENT

The team at Scratch has launched The Nail Event: a one-day experience to support growth, encourage industry connections and help enthusiasts and pros develop skills. The Nail Event will be held on 12 September 2027 at Epsom Downs Racecourse and provide inspiration, practical knowledge and resources to help shape futures in the nail industry. It will feature brands, guest speakers and exciting activations.

To register your interest in attending, visit www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/thenailevent

Tequila Thirst’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK premiere nails.

L-R: Anthony Lloyd, Emma Sarda & Tequila Thirst.

NAIL BRAND HELPS BRING RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK STAR’S SHOWSTOPPING LOOKS TO LIFE

Bold make-up, hair and costumes are prominent in drag styling, and the team at EL Nail Systems is working with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, Tequila Thirst, to elevate looks with colourful nail enhancements.

“Our relationship with Tequila came about naturally over a year ago, and quickly developed into a lovely working partnership,” shares Emma Sarda, founder & owner of EL Nail Systems. Tequila Thirst joined RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season eight – which first aired in September, and the EL Nail Systems team created nail designs to complement the drag queen’s extravagant styling. Brand ambassadors, Anthony Lloyd and Joanne Churchman, fashioned press-on nails for the TV show, while Emma Sarda was behind Tequila’s L&P acrylic enhancements for the programme’s season premiere.

“Our job was to produce many sets of nails, to match certain briefs and looks,” shares Anthony. “Each style had its own identity – for example, we created a design that looked like bark, detailed rhinestone nails, ombré looks and French manicures.”

“With drag, nails are part of the story in the same way as hair, make-up and costumes,” Emma adds. “You can play with exaggerated nail lengths, shapes, colour, embellishments and finishes. There are very few occasions when someone says, ‘make it bigger, brighter and more fabulous’ – and that’s an amazing brief to receive!”

www.elnailsystems.com

Image courtesy of Linkedin.com

Manucurist receives support from private equity firm

European private equity firm, Inflexion, has agreed an investment in French nailcare brand, Manucurist. Known for its plant-based and vegan formulations, the brand is sold in over 40 countries and is experiencing particular success in the US, UK and across Europe. Inflexion will invest in Manucurist’s ‘continued growth in digital and marketplace channels’, as well as ‘the team, systems and new product development to build Manucurist into a global leader across all nail categories’.

Tom Pemberton

Tom Pemberton, partner & head of consumer and the Enterprise Fund at Inflexion, comments: “Manucurist is exactly the kind of business we like to back: a founder-led brand that has disrupted the market through product innovation and outstanding brand execution. We are extremely excited to support the team to accelerate its international growth story, particularly in the US, and to help build it into a global leader in clean nailcare.”

Gaëlle Lebrat Personnaz

Gaëlle Lebrat Personnaz, co-CEO & founder of Manucurist, adds: “From the start, my conviction has been that beauty and nail integrity should never be a compromise. In Inflexion, we have found a partner who shares that vision and has a proven record of helping founder-led brands grow internationally.”

uk.manucurist.com

CTPA event strengthens understanding of cosmetic science & safety

Last month, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) held its first Scientific Conference at Central Hall Westminster, London. The event focalised the importance of understanding ‘how scientific evidence, regulatory decision-making and public understanding interact’, under the theme, ‘Aligning Science, Policy and Consumer Perception’.

The CTPA member-only event brought together speakers from UK Government, international and European personal care associations, cosmetic companies, alongside academics, journalists and communications consultants. Speakers dissected scientific and regulatory topics through presentations, interactive workshops and panel discussions, such as ‘how consumers understand and respond to information about chemicals’, ‘building confidence in animal-free safety assessment’ and ‘science behind UV filters’.

Caroline Rainsford

Caroline Rainsford, director of science at the CTPA, comments: “The event demonstrated the value of collaboration between scientists, regulators, policymakers and communications professionals in addressing important issues such as public understanding of science, trust in evidence and the role of robust scientific data in informed decision-making.”

www.ctpa.org.uk

NAIL & BEAUTY BITES

Scrummi – a UK company that develops disposable and compostable consumables for the hair and beauty industry – has launched loyalty programme, Scrummi Rewards Club. Customers progress through three tiers: Fresh, Familiar and Frequent, unlocking additional benefits with regular orders.

www.scrummi.com

During the week of 2 November, the Hair & Beauty Charity is running fundraiser, Wear Purple Day, to raise money to support hair and beauty professionals and their families through illness, bereavement, financial hardship and crisis. Take part by wearing purple and donating via www.hairandbeautycharity.org

DATES FOR THE DIARY

16 November

Battle of the Nail Techs entry closes

www.battleofthenailtechs.com

28-30 November

Nailympia Sicily

www.nailympia.com/sicily