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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Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! June is the host of Pride Month – a monthlong LGBT+ celebration, protest and act of political activism. Nearly every US city has some sort of big event – usually a large parade with plenty of rainbow…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Chantelle Crerand, of Chantelle’s Pretties, created mermaid-inspired nails for a family holiday to the seaside. “I created these nails on my hard gel nails infill – they were for a family holiday away to the seaside town of Scarborough/Whitby! I…
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What is your all-time favourite nail product? It’s hard to pick just one favourite product, but I’m obsessed with glitter and coloured acrylics. What designs do you love to create? I love working with acrylic: I much prefer it over hard gel. Creating designs with coloured acrylics, sequins and glitter…
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Meet Karen Louise, a super-cool session stylist and Salon System and Gellux techspert who juggles photo shoots with exciting nail gigs and celebrity clients. Known for het chic geometric and negative space designs, tailoring looks to celebrity clients and getting creative on set, Scratch catches up with Karen Louise… What has you…
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We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Nail artist, Bethany Stockell, reveals that icy blue hues have been popular with her clients recently, despite the shift into the summer season. “I can only assume that my clients are going against the grain! During the festive season,…
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Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! Nail art has reached a peak in popularity, with the trend often filtering into popular culture and high fashion. Also continuing to rise in popularity is the specific desire for minimalistic nail art: and it is this…
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