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 Beauty & Aesthetics Parlour

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Beauty & Aesthetics Parlour, Colchester

By Kat Hill | 26 July 2017

Striking with its statement wall of mirrors, The Beauty & Aesthetics Parlour, in Colchester, is a home salon that is much more than a pretty face. Owned by Holly Whatling, the new salon is still in its first year. “I knew I always wanted to work for myself,” Holly explains. “I…

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The Beauty Lounge, Bulford

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Beauty Lounge, Bulford

By Kat Hill | 19 July 2017

Having previously honed her craft, in a home salon in Germany catering for UK Forces, their wives and dependants, Gemma Riste’s return to the UK saw her continue her career. Starting off by renting a space at a hairdressers, Gemma quickly outgrew the location as her client base grew. A new…

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Neverland, Glasgow

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Neverland, Glasgow

By Kat Hill | 5 July 2017

Having honed her artistic eye as a tattoo artist, Frenchie Fabulous wanted a career change, inspired by her own love of receiving nail treatments. “After working in a salon for a few months, I realised I wanted more control over my brand and image,” Frenchie explains. “A small studio space opened up…

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Sherrie's Nails

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sherrie’s Nails, Cranbrook, Kent

By Kat Hill | 28 June 2017

Sherrie Farris recently decided to fly the nest and spread her wings. Having moved her nail business from her parent’s house to a new premises, the CND™ technician is reaping the rewards. “It took a long time to find my own premises,” Sherrie reveals. “I needed somewhere suitable and within…

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Artisan, Evesham

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Artisan, Evesham

By Kat Hill | 21 June 2017

Nail are close to home for Sue Smith! Living above her new salon means she’s never too far from her passion. Recently re-ignited, Sue dove back into the world of nails, retraining and setting out to craft her perfect salon. “I already owned a shop on the high street in Evesham,  with…

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Rsz Charlotte Pilgrim

SALON IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Charlotte’s Nails & Beauty, Sheffield

By Kat Hill | 14 June 2017

Down at the bottom of Charlotte Pilgrim’s garden you’ll find a little hideaway – full of nail magic. “This is my first venture out on my own,” Charlotte reveals. “I’ve worked in salons previously, but most recently, I was renting a room within a hair salon. From that I’ve built a large client base which…

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