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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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’…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Maddie Webster, wears a vibrant fuchsia hue with cuff detailing on almond nails. “I created these nails using The Gel Bottle Inc. Rose Gold from its new autumn collection and layered fuchsia over the top. “I am off…
Read More
Tell us about your training… My training has been really varied. I started life out as a beauty therapist 12 years ago. I came 2nd in the World Skills National Final that year for beauty and second in Sebta UK competition. It wasn’t until I stumbled on gel polish I…
Read More
It’s World Mental Health Day, and while our industry boasts confidence, communication and creative flair, many nail technicians deal with anxiety on their own everyday, effecting their work and personal lives. Although mental health is being spoken about more openly in recent years thanks to charities and activists, there is…
Read More
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a nail structure girl through and through. Give me a pink & white challenge and I am in my element and what I would consider my weakness, is art. I can paint a face well, but the steps to achieve it don’t…
Read More
We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Oksana Smirnova, of Oksana Salon, says geometric nails incorporating autumnal hues have been popular with her clients recently. “I have more and more clients asking for geometric designs, I think it’s a fashion now in all sectors; from the…
Read More
We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Terri Eaton, wears a matte dusky mauve and a bespoke glitter mix for an autumnal look that still sparkles in the crisp sunshine. “I fancied some autumnal, but not too dark, nails, and I also wanted to use…
Read More