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: You Beauty, Leeds

By Callie Iley | 23 June 2021

After working in the industry since 2013, Rachel Dobson jumped at the chance to open her salon, when space became available in November 2020. “Since opening in December, I have already expanded when Danielle joined in April,” Rachel explains. “I plan to expand further by adding another two therapists to…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Blush + Blow, Fulham, London

By Callie Iley | 15 June 2021

Business-savvy Bridget O’Keeffe launched a blow dry bar and beauty salon in 2015, yet has since expanded her services to diversify her clientele. “I wanted to include much more specialised treatments,” Bridget explains. “We now offer an aesthetics clinic with two doctors, a skin clinic led by Abbi Ingram, and…

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Nail Techniques, Northampton

Salon in the Spotlight: Nail Techniques, Northampton

By Kat Hill | 9 June 2021

The multiple lockdowns hit Corey Jade Stockwell’s salon business hard, meaning relocation was necessary to survive. “The future of the business looked grim,” Corey explains. “The most important thing was to keep a roof over my family’s head; as a single mum, it was down to me. “Luckily, I had…

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5 ways to style up your nail salon with interior designer, Haz Dean for a modern & chic beauty space

By Alex Fox | 8 June 2021

Today, this blog will focus on furnishing the nails arena. Whether it’s a small nail bar, or a luxurious spa, if nail services are part of your business offerings then you definitely understand the effort needed to make sure the space is practical and safe. TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY…

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@fayelouisedennis, Chigwell, Essex

By Kat Hill | 2 June 2021

Found at the bottom of the family home’s garden, Faye Louise Dennis’ studio proffers a chic, city-style décor in the comforts of a home setup. Specialising solely in hand and foot services, the recently renovated private studio provides the ideal workspace for Faye. “I have had an incredible pedicure station…

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Beauty Academy On The Move

Salon in the Spotlight: Beauty Academy on the Move, Glusburn, West Yorkshire

By Kat Hill | 26 May 2021

Keen to share her passion for the beauty industry, Corinne McDermott established Beauty Academy on the Move in 2017 to deliver accredited training. “Following a career of working in salons, onboard a cruise ship and in spa’s, I was inspired to pass on my knowledge, skills and experience,” Corinne states.…

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