Hard As Nails: Get the Man in Your Life Involved This November 💅

I’m getting involved in a national campaign called Hard As Nails, and I’d love you to help me spread the word to the men in your life.

So what is Hard As Nails?

It’s a social experiment, with a university behind it, that asks men to do something small but surprisingly brave: get their nails painted and wear them for a week in November. Then they go about their normal week. Work, the gym, the pub, the football, the in-laws. Wherever their nails go, conversations follow.

The idea is to challenge the unwritten “rules” that keep so many good men quiet. Most men don’t actually believe in those rules, but they assume every other bloke does. A bit of polish is a gentle, slightly daft way of breaking one in public, on purpose.

It’s not about having a go at men. It’s about giving them permission to speak up, open up and show up for the people they care about.

And it’s not just a nice idea. The research from last year’s study of 422 men found that:

• 95% had a very positive experience and would do it again

• 85% had conversations they would never normally have

• their fear of judgement halved

• their willingness to stand up for others doubled

Hard As Nails is overseen by Professor Brendan Gough at Leeds Beckett University, and it’s supported by organisations including CALM, Movember and Stonewall. It’s run by a registered Community Interest Company, with surplus funds going to CALM.

Why I’m in

As a mum of two boys, this one is close to my heart. I want my boys to grow up in a world where they can talk about how they feel, ask for help and be kind without worrying what the other blokes will think. Anything that gets men chatting honestly is worth a few coats of polish in my book.

With so much talk around what masculinity is, the trouble with the manosphere and all the other conversations around the patriarchy, I think this is something pretty valuable to be involved in. And we, as women, know how relaxing and therapeutic the experience of a manicure is, this could be a valuable eye opening session for our men getting involved.

Here’s where you come in

You know the man who’d roll his eyes and then secretly love it. The husband, partner, brother, dad, son or best mate who is brave enough and daft enough. This is your chance to nominate him.

If you have an appointment with me in November (or you’re about to book one), you can add a Hard As Nails appointment for him, and his is on me. Just add promo code HAN26

That’s it. Same visit, same kitchen table, and he gets his nails done for free. Pour a glass of something and make an afternoon or evening of it. If the kids want in, we can sort that too.

The Hard As Nails appointment is available to book now and consists of a simple file, tidy and paint with a choice of polish (not gel, meaning it can come off quite easily after a week!). I have a great selection of colours, including a new specially curated male friendly colour palette with a matte top coat as an option. If they want the relaxing massage, they can have that included, however they have the choice to decline that, if that just makes them feel weird!

Prefer to come on his own?

No problem. If your man (or any man who’s up for it) would rather book separately, he can do that via my online booking link, and choose the Hard As Nails MANicure or he can get in touch with me directly on WhatsApp on 07976 373206 or by email at clare@thenailclub.uk. There will be a basic call out charge for this but they can pay what they feel they want to.

I cover Sunbury on Thames and the surrounding area, including Hampton, Teddington, Twickenham, Esher, Thames Ditton, Hinchley Wood, Shepperton, Chertsey, Walton, Weybridge and Kingston.

One small thing for the men

To take part in the research, men sign up at hard-as-nails.com. It takes about five minutes and includes one short survey before and one after. All of the data is anonymous.

Ready to nominate him?

Have a look at hard-as-nails.com for more on the campaign. Then send him a message, book him in with me, and let’s get him some fabulous nails. 💙

Spaces in November are limited, so please get in touch soon to secure yours.

Clare x
The Nail Club

WINNER!! MOBILE NAILIST OF THE YEAR + HALL OF FAME 2025

© Jon Bradley Photography for Scratch magazine

On Sunday 6th July 2025 it was the annual Scratch Stars Awards Party. Scratch is THE nail industry magazine and these awards are quite literally like the Oscars of the Nail Industry.

With many categories spanning technical and business and thousands of entries, only 5 finalists are picked to be judged and scrutinised by professionals in the industry to take home the coveted awards. I was a finalist for the Mobile Nailist of the Year category; an award I have won previously in 2022 and 2023. Winning the same award for a third time means you enter the Hall of Fame and get awarded the prestigious title of ‘Ultimate…’ in your category.

And as you can tell from the title of this post, I was crowned the winner of Mobile Nailist of the Year 2025 and so I enter the Hall of Fame, get awarded my Ultimate Mobile Nailist Award at next year’s awards party AND get to judge that category next year. Part of the judging process requires finalists in the business categories to get scored by a mystery shopper. I’m so chuffed that I received 100% from this mystery shop which then goes towards more scores given by 4-5 professional judges who look over this report, your initial submission and scrutinise avery element of your business and offering.

I am over the moon to receive this. When asked by Scratch Magazine how I felt to win this, this is what I said…

“This win is just the best! It's the cherry on top of the icing on the cake. To get the award for Mobile Nailist of the Year for a third time and entering the Hall of Fame is everything! After not being on my A game last year, not winning it in 2024 really knocked me, but I realised I was already knocked from a tough first start to the year, I picked myself back up and decided I'd go for it again this year, just one last time. This year has not been without its challenges but my head and heart has been in a better place and so I've been able to tackle every challenge with more confidence that all will be as it is supposed to be. 

To know that there are some very highly esteemed judges looking at your work, your business, your entry submission and to get that seal of approval from those amazing individuals means so much to me. It makes it all make sense! And to know that I'm doing right by my clients, with getting 100% scoring from my mystery shopper also means so much. I am truly on Cloud 9 right now and can't wait to sit on the judging panel next year and use my new title of 'Ultimate Mobile Nailist'! Thank you once again Scratch for this opportunity to shine!”

To read more about the awards and see all the official photos from the party, you can head over to SCRATCH HERE

You are safe with me!

As many of you know, as well as running The Nail Club, I am also on the Board of Directors for The Federation of Nail Professionals alongside the esteemed Marian Newman (the queen of nails!) who has been assisting the BBC's Niki Cardwell with information about the alarming rate of nail allergies caused by home gel kits.  

The story has broken today and is all across the BBC on Breakfast on BBC1 this morning, and can be seen on BBC News on iPlayer with an interview with Marian Newman at 09:50.

You are also no doubt aware of these issues as I often talk about them to my clients and can explain how and why these allergies can occur.

But I wanted to reassure you all once again that I am a qualified, professional nail technician and have chosen to work solely with Bio Sculpture for my gel services because they are one of the best brands on the market.  

Bio Sculpture invented nail gel and for the last 34 years has been creating innovative, high performance gel products. They have accrued a renowned reputation for their commitment to education and professionalism and all their products are made in their own factory in South Africa.  A factory which any nail tech can visit if we wish.

Bio Sculpture gels contain a percentage of acrylates that is way below the legal limit and is within the recommended amount which has been tested by scientists and dermatologists.

It is really important to remember to go to a qualified nail technician who understands this about the products they are using.  As a consumer buying home nail kits, you don't get this information about the levels of known allergens.  If you know people that are still using home kits, please let them know. Gel kits including HEMA are now illegal to sell direct to consumers.

As always, I am happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have on these issues.  

I am also here to continue to give you beautiful and safe nails.

Have a lovely day.

Clare xx

Yay! some eggcellent Easter news!

Yay! So proud to be in the finals for this years Scratch Stars Awards ⭐️

Now I just have to try and retain my title of Mobile Nailist of the Year! It was such an honour to win this last year and it feels more pressure to up my game, better myself, improve on what I can do for my clients and try and take home the award again this year. 🤞🏻⭐️

Congratulations to everyone that has made it through to the finals. I’m in great company 💛