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: Nails By Arlene, Chapelhall, Airdrie

By Kat Hill | 15 August 2018

After being made redundant from an insurance service, Arlene Fraser decided to dream big and follow her passion. “During the six month leading up to my redundancy, I sought education to learn how to do my own nails,” explains Arlene. “My usual technician had to reduce her hours and appointments became…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Chi Anmo Beauty Rooms, Aberdeenshire

By Kat Hill | 8 August 2018

Starting out as a home salon, Melanie Simpson found her beauty business go from strength to strength. “In April 2018, Chi Anmo relocated to a stunning new salon in Westhill to ensure we could accommodate the rapidly increasing number of clients looking for a local, reliable and meticulous service,” enthuses…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Body Beautiful, Lincoln

By Kat Hill | 1 August 2018

Bright and bold, Lincoln salon, Body Beautiful, has settled into its new, larger premises. Offering a wide range of treatments, the team and its services are as colourful as the salon’s surroundings. “We originally decorated the salon grey and silver but quickly decided that it wasn’t right for us,” explains…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Luma Nails, South Lanarkshire

By Kat Hill | 25 July 2018

After juggling her duties at the local council, her family life as the mum of two young boys and a client list bursting from her part-time work as a mobile nailista, Lisa Blair knew it was time to seek a space of her own. “I started doing nails in July 2016…

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Salon in the Spotlight: The Powder Room Beauty Parlour, Hull

By Kat Hill | 18 July 2018

With a tight budget but a clear dream, Claire Edwards knew she wanted to achieve – the upmost luxury in a boutique setting. “The Powder Room Beauty Parlour was established in November 2011,” explains Claire. “I already had a small business renting a room within a hair salon, but I just…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Skye Beauty Salon, Highland, Scotland

By Kat Hill | 11 July 2018

Lynn Riley opened Skye Beauty Salon in July 2017 with great ambitions for the business. “I had a huge client base already built up in my area which made the transition to the new salon easy and its gone from strength to strength,” Lynn states. “It’s been the best decision…

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