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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Dragonfly Nails And Beauty

Salon in the Spotlight: Dragonfly Nails and Beauty, Blairgowrie

By Kat Hill | 19 August 2020

Found in Blairgowrie, Scotland, Dragonfly Nails and Beauty is owned by Pamela Fraser-Brawn. Having opened the salon five years ago, Pamela has grown the business, and soon hopes to offer training from the premise, too. “There are two of us in the salon,” explains Pamela. “There’s myself and Cheryl Ramsay, who…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Trieu Nails London, Bethnal Green

By Kat Hill | 12 August 2020

With its industrial exposed brickwork and bar to serve clients sophisticated drinks, this salon sets itself apart with its trendy and relaxed vibe. Founded by Lynn Trieu and Habibur Rahman, the salon was established in 2012 but rebranded to Trieu Nails London in 2016. “The warm finish of the salon…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Buffed Beauty Bar, West Yorkshire

By Kat Hill | 5 August 2020

Starting as a cosy salon, Buffed Beauty Bar in Keighley, West Yorkshire, has grown with Bethany Savage’s career. After moving to a bigger premises in November, the salon has now become a Glitterbels training academy and shop. “We have an amazing team at Buffed,” smiles Bethany. “We offer everything from manicures…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Alice White, Portsmouth, Hampshire

By Kat Hill | 29 July 2020

After becoming a new mother last year, Alice Whitehouse decided to pursue her dream of a career in nails. Working from a newly converted home studio, Alice opened in time for the 2019 Christmas rush and business has soared since. “We had a small lean-to room off the kitchen which…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Tranquility Beauty & Holistics, Oxfordshire

By Kat Hill | 22 July 2020

Having recently trained in holistic therapies, Natascha De-Bank needed more room for her additional services. Offering a combination of nail and beauty services alongside facials, aromatherapy and massages, a larger workspace was soon needed. “As a mum of four, I needed to be closer to home,” Natascha explains. “I decided to build…

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Salon in the Spotlight: GLOSS Studio, Sheffield

By Kat Hill | 15 July 2020

Located in Kelham Island, Sheffield, GLOSS Studio was created by Billie Deakin, who was seeking a creative career. “I worked for six years as a civil servant at the Home Office when I finished studying at university, but I was desperate to do something more creative,” explains owner, Billie Deakin. “I completed an evening…

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