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: Lauren’s Nail Co., Broughton, Northamptonshire

By Callie Iley | 8 December 2021

Lauren Jackson took evening courses for a year at college, qualifying as a nail technician in 2012. “I began my career on a mobile basis, at first offering spray tans and nail appointments, before renting a room above a hairdressers in my village,” she recalls. “I finally decided to go…

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Salon in the Spotlight: GLOSS, Isle of Man

By Callie Iley | 1 December 2021

Jemma King and Rebekah Lockett are two sisters who decided to open up their own nail salon. “We opened our salon in our town centre of Douglas. We both nail technicians who have always dreamed of one day having our very own salon and finally, our dreams have come true,…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Tara Nails & Beauty, Brantham, Suffolk

By Callie Iley | 24 November 2021

Tara Smith decided to embark on her journey into the nail industry following the birth of her third child. “When I qualified and started out within the industry, it wasn’t easy. I was faced with a lot of negativity and wasn’t sure of where to look for help and support.…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Wildflower Hair & Beauty Studio, Cheadle, Staffordshire

By Callie Iley | 17 November 2021

Holly Duckers opened Wildflower Hair and Beauty Studio in a renovated convenience shop in September 2019. “At the time of opening we were a team of four, two hairdressers, one nail technician and one lash and brow technician. Within a month of opening, I had taken on the first salon…

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My visit to the Milton Keynes branch of award-winning nail salon, Townhouse

By Rebecca Hitchon | 11 November 2021

Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year 20/21, Townhouse, has opened a branch in the heart of Milton Keynes. Admired by beauty pros and celebrities alike, the luxury nailcare business is renowned for mastering classic, minimalist manicures and elegant, stylish nail art looks. The flagship branch in Fitzrovia was launched…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Cutie Patootie Nails, Fife, Scotland

By Callie Iley | 10 November 2021

Claire Watters began her nail journey in 2017, after training in Glasgow. “I finally plucked up the courage to leave my job at Asda and started to take on clients at their home. After doing it mobile for a short time I decided to set up a room at home,…

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