Get to know the Scottish nail stylist who led nail looks for Victoria Beckham
By Helena Biggs | 08 January 2025 | Feature, Tech Talk
In Sammy Mac’s two decades in the nail industry, she’s won numerous awards, opened a thriving nail salon chain and led multiple teams backstage at Fashion Week events. So what’s left on the career tick list for this Scottish nail pro?
“Leading the nail team for the 2024 Victoria Beckham show at Paris Fashion Week on behalf of OPI was a ‘pinch me’ moment in my career,” she shares. “I flew to France a few days before the show with first assistant and OPI educator, Charlotte Lowe, and we went to the VB fashion house for the day to prepare the nails, which was an amazing experience. On the day of the show, eight members of the OPI UK&I Artistic Team flew out to complete the looks on the models.”
Nails for Victoria Beckham: Paris Fashion Week 2024
The nail stylist has also been a judge for nail competitions and is director at the Aberdeen Academy of Beauty Therapy, sharing her knowledge with nail and beauty enthusiasts to help them fulfil their potential in the dynamic industry.
Sammy’s love for nails was cemented after completing a CND™ master qualification. Her natural ability shone and a few years later, she was headhunted by a nationally recognised nail brand. In this role, she supported training and recruitment, and supervised the opening of over 20 stores throughout the UK within Debenhams branches.
Scottish themed nails by Sammy
The Aberdeen-based pro went on to complete educator training with OPI, but the regular travel became too challenging after she fell pregnant. It was then that Sammy chose to embark on a self-employed journey: renting a space in a hair salon before developing her own brand and business. She now runs Heritage Salons and works with OPI once again as a freelance educator, as well as a session and celebrity stylist.
Heritage Salons reception
Salon success
The flagship Heritage Salon opened in 2016 in the heart of Aberdeen city: close to all transport links with a private client car park. “The second branch opened three years later in Bridge of Don, and has a cosy, friendly vibe,” Sammy reveals. “Shortly after this opening, the Heritage brand was asked to offer treatments within the Trump International golf resort to VIP clients, and demand was so great that we were asked to move into the five-star venue on a permanent basis. This has been a huge honour.” Last year, Sammy opened Heritage Inverurie, a salon in a bustling town centre with cool country vibes.
Sammy hopes to use her success to support fellow salon owners, while continuing to work closely with the OPI team and embrace session work.
Follow her journey on Instagram: @s.a.m.m.y.m.a.c and @nailsbysammymac