Robbie Tomkins reflects on 2019

By Sophie Nutt | 29 December 2019 | Feature, Tech Talk

Robbie Session Work

December marks the end of the year and my last column for Scratch before I hand over the reins to the columnists for 2020.

I have had such a great time writing for you and being a part of the Scratch family. If you’d told me I would be a columnist for the leading and most respected nail magazine in Europe when I began my nail career, I wouldn’t have believed you – so to say it’s been an honour would be a huge understatement. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone at the magazine for their support, for asking me to do this in the first place and for putting up with my endless requests for an extension on my deadline!

I’ve always tried to support others in my own carer, share best practice and herald those that I think have not only done a great job – but are paving the way for the rest of us. One of the many things I especially love about working in the nail industry is the amazing creativity and innovation I see, so I thought I would take this last golden opportunity to spread some bearded love and say thank you.

Thank you to everyone I’ve had the pleasure of working with: I feel very lucky and grateful to have worked with so many amazing people. Finally, a big ‘thank you’ to you, the reader for your support and kindness. It’s been an amazing year and I can’t wait to see what next year has in store for all of us.

My guardian angels
You might have heard me say (a few times!) that I’m a big fan of techs supporting one another. I want to give a special shout out to Michelle Humphrey (@nailsbymh) and Michelle Class (@michelleclassnails), who have saved my bacon on more than one occasion over the last year or so. In a rare move, they have shared their experience, skills and best practice with me in a part of the industry that I have found to be notoriously and rather fiercely guarded. They have been on the end of the phone whenever I’ve had an anxious moment, needed Ouse advice on how to paint 47 sets of press-on nails for London Fashion Week in 12 hours and for a friendly chat.

Team Tomkins
It’s been said that a manicurist is only as good as his or her team. My team has rocked my world and each member is a superstar. I look forward to hopefully working alongside them again soon while watching them smash it in 2020, but in the meantime, follow them on Instagram:

Fab follows
There is so much talent in this industry that its impossible to mention every tech I admire, but I think these artists deserve a special mention:

  • @bhambnails – set the standard for flame nails and so much more. She’ll hate it but I’d go as far as to say Pria is already a bona fide nail legend!
  • @emilysmakeupandnails – detail to make you wince, just beautiful.
  • @jessyoung_ – giving the finger to toxic masculinity by founding the @boysinpolish movement.
  • @amaquashie – top session babe who launched her own gorgeous salon in my neck of the words, Brixton, at the end of last year… currently fully booked!
  • @beautyworksbyamy – dreamy nail art to marvel at.
  • @nailsbymets – if you’ve met her you know – lovely inside and out. She is an amazing mobile tech (with multiple awards to prove it).
  • @nailcandyplymouth – fab girls and cracking nails (and brows and lashes!).
  • @ronilou_ – lovely lady, lovely work.

Read more of Robbie’s 2019 highlights in the December issue of Scratch!

Follow his nail journey on social media here!

www.robbietomkins.com