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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Versum

Manage your salon with ease with Versum software

By Helena Biggs | 5 April 2018

“My wife came back from a hair salon one day rather upset as somebody had booked two clients for the same appointment time and she didn’t get serviced,” reveals co-founder, Sebastian.”I realised that there was a need for salon owners to manage their business better and make it easier for…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Beautiques, Crawley

By Kat Hill | 4 April 2018

Monochrome and oh-so chic, Beautiques is a luxurious home salon that spoils clients with Jackie Wilkins’ undivided attention.  “I trained and qualified under City & Guilds and IHBC 24 years ago after studying hairdressing and beauty therapy,” explains Jackie.“I set up my own salon after having my youngest son four years…

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Creative Claws, Holyhead, Wales

Salon in the Spotlight: Creative Claws, Holyhead, Wales

By Kat Hill | 28 March 2018

With its fresh and floral décor, it’s eternally spring at Creative Claws. Located Holyhead, Wales, Sophie Pritchard’s business relocated to a new premise at the beginning of the year; seeing a fresh start for the salon. “Creative Claws was founded around three years ago,” reveals Sophie. “I was renting a…

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Spa reveals on-site environmental initiatives

By Kat Hill | 21 March 2018

Titanic Spa is aiming to help tackling the crisis of single-use plastic by launching an environmental initiative to cut the use of plastic bottles, straws and cups. The Huddersfield spa has teamed up with members of Natural Kirklees’ Environmental Alliance and volunteers from Huddersfield pharmaceutical company, Thornton & Ross, to clear Lowestwood Pond. After finding…

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Effy Nail

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Effy Nails, Berlin, Germany

By Kat Hill | 1 February 2018

Tucked away in an artist’s studio loft in trendy Berlin, Rachel Foreman, of Effy Nails, has found the perfect space for her nail business. “When I moved to Berlin, I started with home visits for nails as well as pop-up nail bars, editorials, experimental photo shoots and film” Rachel reveals.…

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SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Bothy, York

By Kat Hill | 24 January 2018

Charming with its earthy tones and rustic feel, York-based salon, The Bothy, is a relaxing escape for clientele. “We took our name from the stone shelters built on mountain sides for protection from the storm; we want The Bothy to be our client’s refuge from the storm,” reveals founders, Amanda…

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