SALON & SPAS
Unique salon décor: The Birmingham nail salon featuring a piano as its reception desk
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year 2022, Townhouse, has expanded its franchise with its first stand-alone salon outside of London. Bringing its luxury manicures and pedicures, modern interiors and seasonal nail styles to Surrey, Townhouse Guildford is located in the heart of town in the Tunsgate Quarter, situated among the…
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Lilly Rose Spelman has always had close ties with the beauty industry, having spent six years working for top beauty brands including Chanel, Estée Lauder, Urban Decay and GHD, but her end goal was always to own her own business. “I took some time out of the beauty industry to…
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When Amanda Wesley-Smith was applying for work as a dental receptionist in early 2020, she could never have imagined that by the end of the year, she would be a fully-qualified nail technician about to enter yet another national lockdown. “At the beginning of 2020, I accepted a job as…
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Working as a cabin crew member was Jennifer Brown’s lifelong dream, until she enrolled on a manicure and pedicure course. While working with Excel Airways, Jennifer qualified and set up her beauty business, offering treatments alongside flying. Jennifer named her business Pinks Beauty Therapy in honour of her family, as…
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Maesteg-based nail tech, Emmie Williams, showcases her Y2k-inspired salon space, Angelic Nails by Emmie. Emmie Williams initially undertook her nail training in Ireland with Crystal Nails, qualifying in 2014, then taking a refresher course in 2021 with Plymouth-based nail educator, Kirsty Parker. She set up her own salon space for…
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Scratch shines the spotlight on nail, hair and beauty salon and training academy, North, based in Hartlepool. Caroline Dean began her nail training in 2000 at her local college, qualifying in 2001. She has continued to pursue education throughout her time in the industry since, seeking both treatments and educator…
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