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: The Nail Studio, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire

By Kat Hill | 26 September 2018

After a house move prompted the build of Catriona Leith’s ideal nail studio, the business has gone from strength to strength. “Being a mum of two young children, the set-up this gave me perfect way to balance work and family life,” explains Catriona, 2017’s winner of The Great Scratch Shoot…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Enchanted Jems, South Ockendon, Essex

By Kat Hill | 19 September 2018

Being new to the industry hasn’t stopped Jemma Gregory from pursing her dreams. “I started Enchanted Jems last year after completing my training with CND™ education ambassador, Justine Crick. I always had a passion for nails and being a full time mum I wanted a job I could fit around…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail and Beauty Specialist, Wiltshire

By Kat Hill | 12 September 2018

“I started my journey in the corner of my kitchen at my little fold away table in 2016, just doing gel polish manicures,” smiles Amber-Jane McLeod. “From there, I have gone on to become a Level 3 Beauty Therapist and Level 3 Nail Technician, as well as pro stylist with…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Bello Amor Beauty & Academy, Liverpool

By Kat Hill | 5 September 2018

Having established her business and client base as a mobile technician and being home-based, Natalia Moore knew it was time to expand and find a bigger base for her business. “After six years, I expanded in 2016 and moved to a larger premises as the business was growing from strength…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Sarah Vernon Nails and Beauty, Doncaster

By Kat Hill | 29 August 2018

Having worked from home previously, Sarah Vernon Cowell knew it was time for a new working space when she started to outgrow her set-up. “I started up the business seven years ago,” Sarah reveals. “I worked from a log cabin from home. Over the years, I worked hard to build…

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Salon in the Spotlight: GirlHub Nail, Beauty & Tanning Salon, Bury

By Kat Hill | 22 August 2018

After her personal life change forever, Emma Singleton decided it was time for a change and time to chase her dream. “I’ve been doing nails for 13 years alongside being a HR consultant,” explains Emma. “In September 2016, I had my first child and in December that year decided it…

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