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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Experiment with earthy nail tones for quirky design results

By Scratch Staff | 7 August 2018

With the autumn/winter season nearing, dabble with new design ideas and get your hands on new collections to create fashion-forward nail results. Rachel Horrocks, nail tech and content marketing manager for Sweet Squared, has embraced autumn by getting creative with brush strokes, colours and trends, Here, she reveals how to…

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Tricia Rennie Nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Tricia Rennie, Tricia Rennie Nail Artist

By Sophie Nutt | 7 August 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Tricia Rennie, of Tricia Rennie Nail Artist, reveals that peach enhancements seeing encapsulated chunky glitter and mermaid nail art have been popular with her clients recently. “These colours have been so popular for summer! I used CJP coloured acrylic…

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Park Eunkyung

MANI MONDAY: Diamonds are forever

By Sophie Nutt | 6 August 2018

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! Are your clients seeking nail designs that will glisten in this burning hot sunshine? This minimalistic but sparkling nail design by talented tech, Park Eunkyung (who goes by the handle @nail_unistella), sees clear enhancements doused in crystals,…

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Terri Eaton Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Terri Eaton

By Sophie Nutt | 5 August 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Terri Eaton, opted for five bold and beautiful Gelish shades in an array of pink and purple hues. “I fancied some nice bright neon nails and I couldn’t quite decide between pink or purple, so went for five…

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Tina Li talks about her arty client requests, entering competitions and learning new skills

By Kat Hill | 4 August 2018

Tell us about your training… I started out with beauty therapy at college. Nail technology was a part of the course and it really intrigued me. I decided to peruse this as a career and have gone on  to train with many companies and highly talented techs. To name a…

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Celina Fun Cover Image (1)

August cover nail stylist chats muses, manicures & magical designs

By Helena Biggs | 1 August 2018

Magical, ethereal and with a touch of hippie chic, this month’s cover nail stylist has sprinkled her own style and personality into an concept that ignites interest and captures plenty of attention. Swedish nail technician and Light Elegance ambassador, Celina Rydén, created the image for August’s Scratch cover after discussing the idea with…

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