TECH TALK

Sammy Macdonald Victoria Beckham Nails

Get to know the Scottish nail stylist who led nail looks for Victoria Beckham

By Helena Biggs | 8 January 2025

In Sammy Mac’s two decades in the nail industry, she’s won numerous awards, opened a thriving nail salon chain and led multiple teams backstage at Fashion Week events. So what’s left on the career tick list for this Scottish nail pro? “Leading the nail team for the 2024 Victoria Beckham…

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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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Becki Menzies Burns Night Nail Tech

I’m a Scottish nail artist working in London. Here’s what I miss most…

By Guest Writer | 3 January 2025

“If anyone from outside Scotland asks me, I say I’m from Glasgow, but as Scottish folk will read this, I’m actually from Livingston,” smiles Becki Menzies. The nail pro lived in Scotland for 28 years before moving to East London in 2023, where she works within tattoo space, Soteria Studios.…

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Why nail technicians should enter the Scratch Stars Awards: tips from a nail competition maestro

By Lilly Delmage | 3 January 2025

Bespoke nail artist, Jiak Hing, who has won the Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year accolade for three consecutive years, shares insight into the competition, what to expect on the day and the benefits of entering.   Why did you decide to enter the Scratch Stars Awards? To…

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Introverted nail techs: how to grow your skills & clientele comfortably

By Lilly Delmage | 22 December 2024

Do you love the creative aspect of being a nail professional: perfecting enhancements and getting arty, but find it challenging to converse with clients and colleagues? You’re not alone. A need to recharge after client interactions or feeling most comfortable in quiet environments are signs of introversion. The word ‘introvert’…

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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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#TRENDINGTUESDAY Steff Georgiou, The Nail Designer

By Sophie Nutt | 12 February 2019

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Steff Georgiou, of The Nail Designer, reveals shimmery pearl finishes topped with embellishments have been popular with her clients recently. “I think they’ve been so popular because the various tones in the Swarovski Crystals really stand out and catch…

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Learnah Starbuck

MANI MONDAY: Pretty petals

By Sophie Nutt | 11 February 2019

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! Many salons will see romantic nail requests this week in the lead up to Valentine’s Day, but this doesn’t mean that your creative flair is bound to red shades only. Delicate and certainly romantic, this floral design…

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Hayley Winder Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Hayley Winder, Hair, Nails, Beauty & TGB Educator

By Sophie Nutt | 10 February 2019

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Hayley Winder, of Hayley Winder Hair, Nails, Beauty & TGB Educator, wears a mani bursting with stunning blue hues and a sprinkling of glitter. “I created theis design with the glitter nail in The Gel Bottle Inc’s #goals as inspiration…

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Jenny Harris

How to strike a balance between work & home life

By Scratch Staff | 6 February 2019

Make it easy to manage the separation between work and home life with advice from nail artist and educator, JENNY HARRIS… I entered the nail industry shortly after my daughter was born, as I sought work that would be flexible so I could look after her. I completed a diploma…

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Lisa Blair Nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Lisa Blair, Luma Nails

By Sophie Nutt | 5 February 2019

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Lisa Blair, of Luma Nails, says abstract nails have been very popular with her clients recently. “I think abstract nails are getting very popular with clients at the moment. It gives the clients a chance to be creative and…

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Nailco Nail Bar

MANI MONDAY: Timeless classic

By Sophie Nutt | 4 February 2019

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! A perfectly executed French ombré design never goes a miss and is a look that will never go out of style. Clare at Nailco Nail Bar, based in Glasgow and Aberdeen, created exactly that using Naio Nails…

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