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 the designs trending at your nail desk! Tricia Rennie, of Tricia Rennie Nail Artist, reveals that this ombre design with hints of decadent gold has been popular with her clients recently. “This design and colour is popular as it matches absolutely everything and is amazing for…
Read More
Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! Featuring a delicate mixture of cerulean blue, dusky nude and white hues, this kitsch nail design perfectly portrays May flowers, marking one month to go until summer officially starts on 21 June. The dreamy design was created…
Read More
We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Leanne Furley, of Leanne Furley Makeup Artist, wears glitzy pink nails with an encapsulated feature nail using a pretty Cuccio hue from the recent Ballerina collection. “Firstly, I prepped my nails and applied The Edge Nails white French tip to…
Read More
Tell us about your training… I trained & qualified as a beauty therapist and make up artist IHBC at Thanet Technical college in 1990. I worked in a salon for five years until I returned to college to study marketing and business and became an event manager for IT companies.…
Read More
We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Vickie Elliott, of V Nails UK, reveals that nails with marble feature nails are popular with clients at the moment. “I think this is such a popular design because of the versatility of the colours that can be used.…
Read More
We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Andrea Chapman, of The Little Nail House, created a tropical nail look featuring pretty florals after taking inspiration from fellow tech, Nina Park. “I created this set using The Gel Bottle Inc. Builder In A Bottle as an overlay on…
Read More