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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Salon in the Spotlight: Beauty By Danielle, Cheshire

By Callie Iley | 14 April 2022

Danielle Pulford opened her salon after the second lockdown, after her local salon she was employed at shut down. “I wasn’t in a position, nor did I feel ready, to open my own salon with other staff, so I thought converting my garage was the way forward, especially with the…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Emily Yafai Nail Artist, Doncaster

By Callie Iley | 6 April 2022

Emily Yafai opened her salon in 2021, after taking a break from her career to focus on her family. “It felt like the perfect time to find my feet again doing what I love. I found my base, and didn’t want to miss this opportunity to grow. I have wanted…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Fabu Lou’s Beauty, North Lanarkshire, Scotland

By Callie Iley | 30 March 2022

After working alone renting rooms in salons since 2010, Louise Bradshaw decided to take the leap and open her own salon in September 2020. “I was offered a deal for the salon that I couldn’t refuse, so I jumped at the chance. It was a horrible, damp, dark and dusty…

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Salon in the Spotlight: One Nail To Rule Them All, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

By Callie Iley | 23 March 2022

Alice Morrey took the plunge to set up her own home-based salon in 2021, opening when lockdown eased. “I’ve been doing nails since 2011, mainly on myself, family and friends. Everyone who knows me has been pushing me to set up my own salon for ages, and I finally decided…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail Goddess, Northamptonshire

By Callie Iley | 16 March 2022

After losing her mum to cancer following the Coronavirus lockdown, Michelle Edwards decided to convert her garage into her new nail studio. “It just felt like the right time. Previously, my salon was in the conservatory, which was nightmare temperature-wise and doubled as a spare bedroom.” “I have been working…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Roses Nails, Newtown, Mid Wales

By Callie Iley | 9 March 2022

Katy Rose worked in the construction industry for six years, however when lockdown began, she took time to reconsider her career. “I have always been creative and never had a chance to express it. It sounds crazy, but I quit my job during a pandemic. I wanted to use this…

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