SALON & SPAS

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Unique salon décor: The Birmingham nail salon featuring a piano as its reception desk

By Lilly Delmage | 6 January 2025

Founder of Birmingham-based nail studio, Icey’s Beauty Lounge, Aysana Druga, shares the story behind the salon’s impressive entrance… In 2015, Aysana and her husband spotted a piano in the window of a charity shop. She recalls: “We had no idea where it was going to go at the time, so…

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From DIY nails to owning a home salon: how one tech turned her passion into a business

By Lilly Delmage | 9 December 2024

Bedfordshire-based nail tech, Jodie Day of @talonsbyjodie, started her nail journey simply wanting to learn how to do her own nails, however she enjoyed the training so much that she decided to turn it into her career. Jodie began her training in 2021 while pregnant, seeking a creative outlet. She…

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Award-winning home salon owner: the 5 essential tips for success

By Lilly Delmage | 2 December 2024

Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 winner, Kirsty Brown of @paintbrushnails, shares her top tips for building a successful home salon… Having won the prestigious Scratch Stars accolade for her Stirling-based home salon, we asked Kirsty to share her top tips to inform and inspire nail techs…

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South Devon tech: At 30 I decided to train as a nail technician – and I’ve never looked back

By Lilly Delmage | 29 November 2024

Having undergone a career swap at the age of 30, Devon-based nail tech Bonni Higson, the owner of Bonni File’n’Style in Dawlish, shares her story… After having children, Bonni decided to train as a nail technician. She says: “I enrolled at South Devon College and qualified at NVQ level 2…

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The Suffolk nail tech who transformed her lockdown hobby into a thriving salon business

By Lilly Delmage | 7 November 2024

Jemma Cornell, behind JC Nails, started her nail journey during lockdown in 2020 and four years later, has transformed her hobby into a full-time career. The Suffolk-based tech felt she needed something to ‘keep her busy’ during the challenging Covid-19 period, and decided training in nails was the answer. She…

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How a part-time job at a nail brand inspired an employee to become a nail tech

By Lilly Delmage | 30 October 2024

Ellie Toms’ part-time job at nail brand, Lecenté, inspired her career change to become a nail technician. Here’s her story… The now tech ‘fell in love’ with the brand’s products, so much so that it inspired her to become a nail tech so she was able to use them. The…

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10 Halloween-ready salons to give you inspiration

By Scratch Staff | 27 October 2024

Halloween offers a perfect opportunity to have some fun in the nail space, so take inspiration from salons that have got clients in the spooky spirit with themed décor… 1. Beauty by Joan, Wisconsin, USA 2. Hope HQ, Manchester, UK 3. Hush Salon, Leeds, UK 4. Revel Salon, New York,…

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I visited TGB Spa in Brighton for a luxury pedicure – & here’s how it went

By Lilly Delmage | 24 October 2024

Nail brand, The GelBottle Inc, has opened its much-anticipated TGB Spa: a sanctuary for beauty treatments in the bustling city of Brighton. I was invited to explore the space and indulge in a Luxury TGB Gel Pedicure – and it didn’t disappoint. I arrived at Brighton train station and I tapped…

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Devon nail tech & mental health first aider on how to prioritise wellness in the salon

By Rebecca Hitchon | 10 October 2023

“While holding clients’ hands – quite literally for hours at a time, they can open up, allowing you to celebrate the ups in their lives, but also the downs,” says Emily Harris, owner of North Devon business, Vanity Nails & Tanning. The passionate pro is a qualified mental health first…

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Townhouse Leeds Salon

Townhouse opens Leeds location at Victoria Gate

By Callie Iley | 7 October 2023

Situated within the Victoria Gate shopping centre a short walk from Leeds train station, Townhouse has announced the launch of its Leeds location. With a treatment menu including Townhouse’s signature or luxury manicures and pedicures with polish, gel polish, builder gel in a bottle and hard gel extensions, manicures can…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Therapy, Almondbury, Huddersfield

By Carter Rogers | 5 October 2023

When Marie Holgate finished her GCSEs at 16 years old, unsure what to do, Marie followed her passion and decided to train as a beauty therapist at White Rose School of Beauty in Huddersfield. “I loved the training, especially the holistic side and I will be forever grateful for my…

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Titanic Spa recognised for sustainability efforts by Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2023

By Callie Iley | 5 October 2023

Having achieved recognition in the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2023 for three years in a row, Titanic Spa has been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best Sustainable Spa category. Based in West Yorkshire, eco-spa Titanic Spa scooped the award in 2021 and achieved ‘Highly Commended’ in 2022, before securing its…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Nina Aesthetics & Beauty, Liverpool

By Carter Rogers | 28 September 2023

Just over a year ago, Nina was faced with some personal challenges in regards to her mother’s health, but despite this, her mum continued to be her biggest supporter and encouraged Nina to venture into the world of aesthetics despite her fear of needles.  After being in the beauty industry…

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Townhouse Knightsbridge

Salon in the Spotlight: Townhouse, Knightsbridge, Scratch Stars Awards winner

By Rebecca Hitchon | 23 September 2023

Following Townhouse, Knightsbridge’s second consecutive Nail Salon of the Year win at the Scratch Stars Awards 2023, founder & creative director, Juanita Huber-Millet, shares what the win means to the team and what to expect from the salon brand in future… Townhouse has become a familiar face at the Scratch…

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