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: The Nail Den, Hedon, East Yorkshire

By Callie Iley | 2 March 2022

Vicki Horner has worked in the industry for 8 years, gaining her diploma in Nail Technology in 2014. “I specialise mainly in extensions and anything nail art, I offer anything nails from builder gel manicures to sculpted nails.” “I am currently setting up a spa pedicure station ready for the…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Mali Raj Beauty Room, Little Eaton, Derbyshire

By Callie Iley | 23 February 2022

Ashleigh Hutchings opened her salon in her garden outbuilding in 2015. “The opportunity arose as I had recently gone from full-time to part-time in another job. I worked every hour god gave me, which helped me build up a strong client base quite quickly.” “I’ve relocated three times, ending up…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Gel Nails By Becca, Isle Of Wight

By Callie Iley | 16 February 2022

Part-time dental nurse, Rebecca Louise Evans, wanted to utilise her passion for beauty and her creativity, so opted to train as a nail tech. “I took a course with The GelBottle in February 2020 just before the first lockdown, kicking off my nail journey.” “It was always my dream to…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Belle Voir, Huddersfield

By Callie Iley | 9 February 2022

Paris Evans established Belle Voir in 2019 and is situated in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. “Keeping in line with French names, mine being Paris, Belle Voir translates into beautiful view which felt fitting for my clients in my first salon and future journey.” “In 2021, Belle Voir commenced on a journey…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Platinum Beauty, Cheshire

By Callie Iley | 2 February 2022

After working in the commercial sector for the majority of her career, Sarah Heath realised her passions lay elsewhere. “I fell out of love with recruitment, and had no happiness or passion in my career. Working with my husband was a strain on our marriage at times. It just didn’t…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail Shed, Manchester

By Callie Iley | 26 January 2022

In 2007, Sarra Birrell set up her salon in Cheshire, establishing a thriving nail and beauty business. However, lockdown had a negative impact on her business. “I took the very difficult decision to close after 14 years. As sad as it was, there was a silver lining – I had…

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