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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Behind the Brand: Meet the best friend duo behind Lovelle Salon Wear

By Callie Iley | 12 June 2023

Fashion-forward beauty therapist best friends, Nikki Hutchings & Sonia Ghag, designed a range of salon wear to suit the modern beauty pro without compromising on style or comfort. Beauty therapist duo, Nikki Hutchings and Sonia Ghag, met when their children started at school together. With both having an interest in…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Kaitlyn Jay Studio, Newport, Wales 

By Callie Iley | 8 June 2023

Wanting her Newport-based salon decor to reflect her own personal style, natural nail tech, Kaitlyn Jay, opted for an on-trend, neutral colour scheme. “I love the minimal vibe,” Kaitlyn beams. “It’s not necessarily outwardly unique, but it’s a total reflection of me, and I love it.” “The theme in my…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Polish It Up MCR, Manchester

By Callie Iley | 1 June 2023

Prioritising a personalised, one-to-one client experience, Manchester-based tech, Jess Walford notes how working alone allows her to cater her treatment offerings to each individual client. “I’m very lucky to say a lot of my clients have been coming to me for a few years and have become lovely friends, which…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Studio, Wiltshire

By Carter Rogers | 25 May 2023

Driven by her passion and dedication to the industry, nail technician and beauty educator, Claire Elaine Thomson, shares her love for learning and reveals the message behind her hummingbird branding. With 23 years of experience, Claire started her nail journey in 1998 when she decided it was time to do…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Imagine Nails & Beauty, Wirral

By Carter Rogers | 18 May 2023

Lockdown encouraged long-time beauty lover, Charlotte Holden, to take the steps to finally pursue her dream job in the nail and beauty industry. Noting her love for nails and making others feel good about themselves, tekking is the perfect fit for Charlotte, who began polishing and painting nails as a…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Bambu, Stoke-On-Trent

By Callie Iley | 11 May 2023

At the age of 14, Andrea Martin undertook work experience at a salon and fell in love with the beauty industry. Eager to get her foot in the door of the industry, she committed to a Saturday job as soon as she was able, commenting: “I had no idea that…

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