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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Jodie Walley Nails

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jodie Walley Nails, Staffordshire

By Kat Hill | 4 October 2017

They say home is where the heart is and the heart of the home is the kitchen. Especially for Jodie Walley, as her home salon is actually located in her kitchen! Having previous worked from a rented nail desk, Jodie has now had her home salon for two and half years.…

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Karen Heron Nails And Beauty

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Karen Heron Nails and Beauty, Great Harwood

By Kat Hill | 27 September 2017

After honing her nail skills and building a loyal client base, Karen Heron is celebrating the recent opening of her new salon. Commemorating in style, the opening saw a party for clients and those closest to Karen, as well as the chance for the nail tech to showcase her salon’s…

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Well Gell Nails

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Well Gel Nails, Essex

By Kat Hill | 20 September 2017

When sister duo, Ellenor Smith and Elizabeth Harold’s, beauty business outgrew its original location, the pair sought to create a new and exciting hub for their salon. “We started off working from home in a spare bedroom,” explains  Ellenor, co-owner of Well Gel Nails. “We recently moved into a summer…

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Leeann's Beauty Hut

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Leeann’s Beauty Hut

By Kat Hill | 30 August 2017

Specially built to house her growing business, Leeann Doherty’s aptly named home salon is currently situated in a cosy cabin. “My business, Leeann’s Beauty Hut, was started in my kitchen,” laughs Leeann Doherty. “I have been working for my self since I first trained in nails in 2012. I love nail art and anything…

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SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Penny Smith, Beautifix

By Kat Hill | 16 August 2017

Recently redecorated, Penny Smith at Beautifix has never felt more at home in her home salon. “I set up by myself two years ago after struggling within other salons, I started seeing client in my sister’s old bedroom. There was even a bed in there to start with! Two years…

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SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Venus Beauty & Hair, Tavistock, Devon

By Kat Hill | 2 August 2017

Tranquil and professional with its green and purple colour scheme, Venus Beauty & Hair was ten years in the making for owner, Kirsty Douglas. “I started Venus back in 2007,“ Kirsty reveals. “At the time, I was home based and working part time. As my business grew I rented spaces…

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