TECH TALK
Get to know the Scottish nail stylist who led nail looks for Victoria Beckham
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
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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I’m a Scottish nail artist working in London. Here’s what I miss most…
“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
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
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
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
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
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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Kim Alexis, crystal healer, psychic spiritual medium, hypnotherapist & past life regressionist, reveals why she uses crystals in her hand & foot treatments… When a therapist massages the feet or hands, it feels so good because the physical sensation stimulated by touch sends messages from the skin’s nerve cells to the…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Sinead Bulley, of The Nail Shack, wears leopard print-filled stars against a navy hue for an on-trend winter glam look. “I sculpted my nail extensions with Akzentz hard builder gel. Then, using Magpie Beauty Gel Colour in Midnight Sky, I…
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Angel Crystals, a UK distributor of Swarovski nail crystals, invited a select group of techs to a fun-filled workshop at which they jazzed up their nails with Swarovski embellishments. Scratch‘s editor-in-chief, Alex, joined me for the trip to Swarovski’s London HQ, at which we were met by Antony Arnold of…
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We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Jodie Walley, Nail Artist & Educator, reveals metallics have been popular with her clients recently. “I think the metallic look is so popular as it’s on trend and looks so effective! January is a dull month and my clients…
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Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! If you’ve ever watched the programme Bob’s Burgers then you will be just as obsessed as we are with this inspired design. The American sitcom follows Bob Belcher and his family as they run a burger restaurant – aptly named…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Katie Ru, of Katie Ru Nail Design, wears a red tip fade design with hand painted patterns to create a chic look on an almond nail. “I created this gorgeous design using The Gel Bottle Inc BIAB in Baby as…
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