SALON & SPAS

Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 65

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…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 53

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…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 48

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…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 46

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…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 28

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…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 21

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…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 16

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,…

Read More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 14

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…

Read More
Nails Bab, Birmingham Lead

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails Bab, Birmingham

By Kat Hill | 17 June 2020

“My studio is my second home,” laughs owner, Rosie Lynall. “I feel so lucky to do something I’m so passionate about and help people feel good about themselves in the process.” Based in the Custard Factory, Digbeth, Rosie’s studio is a reflection of her artistic streak. “I come from a…

Read More
Little Blank Spaces

Salon in the Spotlight: Little Blank Spaces, Inverness

By Kat Hill | 10 June 2020

With its twinkling feature wall of fairy lights, Little Blank Spaces in Inverness offers clients the chance to unwind will receiving a pampering courtesy of owner & Magpie Beauty educator, Ruth Munro. “Although I am a total tomboy, Little Blank Spaces is a princess paradise,” smiles Ruth. “I love it! “I…

Read More
Lizzy Wade Lead

Salon in the Spotlight: Lizzy’s Nails, Norfolk

By Kat Hill | 8 April 2020

Starting out as a mobile technician, Lizzy Wade built up a loyal clientele and was soon seeking a more permanent base for her beauty business. “I decided to set up a salon space at home,” Lizzy explains. “This meant I could fit more clients into my busy schedule and arrange…

Read More
The Beauty Den By Cherrelle Lead

Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Den by Cherrelle, Blackburn

By Kat Hill | 1 April 2020

Seeing bold wallpaper and sassy neon lights, The Beauty Den by Cherrelle was created by Cherrelle Wright to offer a nail haven for clients. “I worked full time from a salon self employed until I had my third son,” Cherrelle explains. “I realised it wasn’t going to be as easy…

Read More
Nails & Beauty By Jamie Lead

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails & Beauty By Jamie, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire

By Kat Hill | 25 March 2020

A recent house presented Jamie Didlock the chance to create a private nail studio. “I’ve always wanted my own home salon, but wasn’t able to as we didn’t have the space,” Jamie smiles. “When we moved to our new house, we turned the double garage into a studio. “I’ve been…

Read More
Jemma Elizabeth Beauty Lead

Salon in the Spotlight: Jemma Elizabeth Beauty, Stoke-on-Trent

By Kat Hill | 18 March 2020

Having forged a successful solo career, Jemma Ball knew the time was right to settle with a permanent base for her beauty business. Jemma Elizabeth Beauty boasts far more than a pretty face with its inky blue and blush pink scheme, as, with a combination of Jemma’s savvy business skills…

Read More