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: BeeBee Beauty Salon, Oakham

By Kat Hill | 16 October 2019

Stepping inside Mali Palmer’s salon, BeeBee Beauty Salon, is a warm and welcoming experience. “The salon is very cosy,” smiles Mali. “It is designed to make you feel like you are at home enjoying the comforts of home but with the added bonus of having wonderful treatments. “The treatments we offer…

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Salon in the Spotlight: LM Beauty, Oundle

By Kat Hill | 9 October 2019

When Lacey Louise Marshall’s appointment book was set to burst, she knew it was time to create a purpose-built place for her beauty business. “I was originally specialised solely in nail and I was using my conservatory as my workspace,” Lacey explains.  “When the time came to expand the business,…

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Allure Nails & Beauty

Salon in the Spotlight: Allure Nails & Beauty, North Tyneside

By Kat Hill | 11 September 2019

“I started out as a mobile nail technician in my local area alongside studying accountancy at college,” explains Melissa Wright. “I didn’t enjoy college, so my plan was pursue a nail career full time. It was a struggle at first but then it took off and my client base became…

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Beautifix

Salon in the Spotlight: Beautifix, Ringmer

By Kat Hill | 4 September 2019

Having worked solo in a home salon, Penny Smith took the next step by opening her first salon in her home village of Ringmer. “We opened our the Beautifix salon this January,” smiles Penny. “I am hoping to build the business up further and eventually I would love a second salon.”…

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Cappellas Nails & Beauty

Salon in the Spotlight: Cappellas Nails & Beauty, Bognor Regis

By Kat Hill | 28 August 2019

After always wanting a career in beauty, Giorgia Cappella decided to take a leap from her business career to beatification. “I always loved beauty, but never really thought I would be any good at it,” explains Giorgia. “So, I started my career in business, working full time as an assistant manager…

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Buff Bar Bristol

Salon in the Spotlight: Buff Bar Bristol

By Kat Hill | 21 August 2019

“Buff Bar has grown from my own experiences with beauty, adornment and queerness,” explains Nathan Taylor, owner of Buff Bar Bristol. “I would often colour my nails as a kid, but because I was worried about being teased, I would use a marker pen so I could quickly remove the…

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