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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The Boutik Salon

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Boutik Salon, Plymouth

By Kat Hill | 29 November 2017

Recently refurbished, The Boutik Salon has evolved over the years to hone its client experience.“Originally started in 2009 as a nail salon in Plympton, Plymouth, The Boutik Salon has grown and expanded its range of services and treatments covering all aspects of hair, beauty, nails and lash,” reveals owner Abigail…

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D's Nail Parlour

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: D’s Nail Parlour, Leek, Stoke-on-Trent

By Kat Hill | 22 November 2017

Located in historic Leek, Stoke-on-Trent, D’s Nail Parlour is a charming addition to bustling market town. Drawing inspiration from its surrounding, the salon’s décor is harmony with its building’s heritage. “The building was built in 1515 and retains many original features,” reveals owner, Donna Billings. Cosy with its warming wood…

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Claire's Cabin Nails & Beauty, Dorset

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Claire’s Cabin Nails & Beauty, Dorset

By Kat Hill | 15 November 2017

Calm and cosy, the aim of Claire Parrett’s salon is to create an inviting space for her clients to indulge in. Based from a cabin in her back garden, the salon is the result of Claire’s hard work and ambition for a career in the beauty industry. “My cabin has…

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Enhanced By Hannah

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Enhanced by Hannah, Tipton

By Kat Hill | 8 November 2017

“Life is for living,” Hannah Bell states, “Grasp what makes you happy.” Living by those wise words, Hannah is living out her ambition with the recent opening of her salon. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago, Hannah had to overcome some personal challenges. “This a new…

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Finney Foo

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Finny-Foo-Fars Beauty Box, Loughborough

By Kat Hill | 18 October 2017

Striking out as a mobile technician, as Finlay Dawkins’ client base and list of services grew, she soon grew out of her portable kit. “As my range of treatments started to grow so did my kit!” Finlay laughs. “It was getting a little tricky to carry around.” Seeking a solution,…

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The Beauty Lounge Topsham

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Beauty Lounge Topsham

By Kat Hill | 11 October 2017

First-time salon owner, Samantha Lelliott, opened the doors to her new venture February this year. The Beauty Lounge Topsham now serves the local area some much need tranqulity. “Everything we do in the salon is to give people the most relaxed, chilled out and indulgent experience no matter what they…

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