Two nail techs from a small town in Sheffield were used to being compared by clients, but bolstered their confusion when they swapped surnames.

One of the Birley-based techs, Rachel Harrison, explains the beginnings of her relationship with fellow town tech, Jessica Allen. Jessica started working in her mum’s home salon as a girl: the same salon where she met Rachel, who worked there at the time.

Rachel Allen (Harrison)

Rachel says: “As Jess freely admits, her career started with her buying just what ever she could get her hands on. However, she began to focus on application and the longevity of the nails she was creating, and went on to college to refine her skills. She eventually bought the salon I had worked in with her mum. In contrast, I started my nail journey at the age of 17, learning in an office above a sandwich shop in London, working in salons, on a mobile basis and from home over many years.”

Jessica Harrison (Allen)

Rachel continues: “We continued to learn and grow our skills, both becoming quite well-known in our area. Jessica has a flare for long and elaborate L&P acrylic design work, which is very different to my style. Mine is more classic with a focus on nails that fit everyday living, but with a bit of sparkle, giving us both a unique selling point.”

Rachel working in her salon

While their specialities differed, so did their salon aesthetics. Rachel reveals: “Jess’ salon, Beautique, inhabited a large shop on the main road. Its large windows revealed a pink paradise, with rooms for beauty and hair treatments, beautifully decorated with a modern but friendly appeal.”

Jess’ salon ‘Beautique’

She continues: “In contrast, my salon, Utopia Nails and Beauty, has a rustic and cosy feel. While still being in a large window fronted space, the building is much older, and the outside resembles Cotswold stone-built buildings. The largest wall is decorated with a red brick style paper with a rustic wooden reception, while the beauty room boasts velvet curtains as its entrance, with a hand-made pedi station built from pallets.”

Rachel’s salon, Utopia Nails and Beauty

“Our two salons couldn’t be more different in style, but both give a welcoming feel.”

With salons just a few doors apart, the pros grew a strong relationship; they often recommended each other’s salons when either couldn’t accommodate a client, or if the other’s style fitted that clients’ needs better. The movie moment came after Rachel Harrison married her husband, becoming Rachel Allen; with multiple clients asking if she was related to fellow town tech, Jessica Allen – now both sharing the same surname. However, when Jessica Allen later wed, she took her husband’s surname, Harrison, becoming Jessica Harrison.

“We both believe in kindness, compassion and championing others over competing with them, agreeing that striving to equal your fellow techs is the best way to build and advance your skills. It’s friendly competition, with emphasis on ‘friendly’.”

Jess working in her salon

Both salon owners have also created their own brands, with Rachel collaborating with her husband on Emoki Nails, offering a series of cuticle oils and hand creams.

“Emoki Nails has taken off well, and luckily has weathered a few storms, including the pressures of the pandemic and a very severe health scare that required me to be hospitalised for quite a while, and a much longer time to recover from it,” shares Rachel. “This emphasised the value of friendships and being involved in the nail community.

She continues: “I have now managed to get back to my salon as well as to the podcast I host, Nailtopia – Inside with the Insiders, which gives me the excuse and great privilege to talk to my nail idols and friends, and to share their origin stories, including Jess.”

Jess started JA Nail Supplies, boasting her own line of salon tools. Though, after COVID lockdowns and becoming a mum, she decided to wind her company down, focusing on being a full-time tech and mother.

Described by Rachel as their ‘little surname switcheroo’, it’s a story fit for the silver screen!

Follow both salons on Instagram: @utopia_sheffield and @beautiquesheffield.