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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The Studio Aberdeen

Salon in the Spotlight: The Studio, Aberdeen

By Kat Hill | 24 March 2021

Having been in the industry for over 20 years, Sammy MacDonald has grown her beauty business from the ground up. “My salon business opened on the 1 December 2016 with the Victoria Street branch,” reveals Sammy. “I took on half of the building as at the time I could not afford the…

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Salon Style – interior ideas for spa & salon spaces

By Alex Fox | 10 March 2021

Expert, Haz Dean speaks salon & spa styling Being passionate about doing what I love is my drive to achieving more! I’m an interior designer who is in love with colours, functional design, playing with patterns, textures and creating a human space that can be at the service of human…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Hannah Taylor Beauty and Make Up, Kidderminster

By Kat Hill | 10 March 2021

“The salon now couldn’t be more different to its previous life as a derelict pub,” smiles owner, Hannah Taylor. “I use to pass the premises and daydream about its potential. “At the time the lease far surpassed my budget. Months passed and during this time the building had been split…

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Nail Beauty Business Loyalty Scheme

Why you should have a client loyalty scheme

By Kat Hill | 9 March 2021

Do you have a loyalty programme in place? Alice Kirby, director at Lockhart Meyer Salon Marketing, shares her top tips… Why should nail & beauty businesses introduce a loyalty schemes? An effective loyalty scheme can help increase both your retention rates and how long your clients ultimately stay with you.…

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Townhouse London Nail Salon

Salon in the Spotlight: Townhouse, London

By Kat Hill | 3 March 2021

With two locations in the heart of London, Townhouse Nail Salon has become a go-to destination for nail appointments thanks to its chic setup. Awarded with a Scratch Stars Awards 2020/21 finalist status in the Nail Salon of the Year category for its flagship Great Portland Street location, the salon…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Plaster, Crystal Palace, London

By Kat Hill | 24 February 2021

Found in the urban hotspot of Crystal Palace, Plaster is an inclusive salon offering natural nail treatments and nail art appointment. “Opening in 2019, Plaster was borne from the want to offer our clients – irrespective of gender, identity, background or profession – a space to be whoever they want…

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