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: BLINX Beauty Studio, Leyland, Lancashire

By Kat Hill | 20 February 2019

Decorated in pretty pink and copper tones, BLINX Beauty Studio is celebrating over a year in its new location. “To start with, I was renting a room for lash extension services,” explains owner, Natasha Gorner. “It didn’t take long for it to turn into my full-time job. After two years…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Blush, Warrington 

By Kat Hill | 6 February 2019

After her client list grew and the demand for more hours came, Sarah Hill knew it was time to seek a solution to meet her nail needs. “I started Blush in 2012,” reveals Sarah. “At first, I worked it part time, mainly in evenings and alongside my full time job work…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Shop, Southend-on-Sea

By Kat Hill | 30 January 2019

Created to promote a sense of self-care, The Beauty Shop was opened by Courtney Smith four years ago. “We are planet conscious, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free salon,” Courtney states. “Our strap line is ‘more than just a pretty face’, reflecting the fact that beauty isn’t about vanity but so much more. We…

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SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Tammy Hobson at Fingerlicious

By Kat Hill | 16 January 2019

Starting out in 2011, Tammy Hobson  orginally turned to nails while she was on maternity leave. “While I was preganant with my second child, a sought out nail courses to keep busy and found that I really enjoyed them,” Tammy explains. “I started off just practicing on myself, family and friends…

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Salon in the Spotlight: JD Beauty Studio, Norfolk

By Kat Hill | 9 January 2019

The new year has brought new prospect for Jessica Davis. Opening November last year, JD Beauty Studio saw Jessica Davis convert her garage into a sleek, new home studio. “Previously, I was primary mobile and teaching from rented rooms or at Sally’s Salon Services,” explains Jessica. “I wanted to have…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail Designer, Somerset

By Kat Hill | 12 December 2018

“I have always loved painting and playing around with nails,” reveals Steff Georgiou. “I spent most of my time at university giving manicures as it massively helps my anxiety but I never thought I’d be able to make a career out of it. I found myself really unhappy and unfulfilled…

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