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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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Terri Eaton, swapped in her dark manicure for a fresher, more radiant nail look to glisten in the – eagerly awaited – sunshine. “I was wearing a gorgeous dark navy glitter, but the sunshine came out and I…
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Scratch chats to Scratch Stars Awards winner, educator and founder of Nail Gaga, Erin Adeyemo… What do you love most about being an educator? I would have to say seeing a student I’ve taught grow into a successful, professional nail technician is the most rewarding aspect of my role. I enjoy passing…
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We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Oksana Smirnova, of Oksana Salon, says that this summery look featuring an ombre design and hand-painted flowers has been very popular with her clients. “This design has been so popular because of the colours used, the ombre technique and…
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Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! So that’s it – Coachella is over for another year. As always, the weekend saw an abundance of celebrity drama such as Justin Bieber allegedly punching a man in the face and that unforgettable, record-breaking Beyoncé performance. However, the…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Jemma Ball, of Jemma Bailey Beauty, wears a fresh nail look using sugary sweet shade Candied from the new CND Chic Shock collection. “I created the nails by extending them with CND Liquid and Powder before using CND Shellac in…
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Metta Francis, winner of Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year 2015 & 2017, reveals her top tips for fellow techs working on-the-move… It’s so important to be organised as a mobile nail technician, as there is not the luxury of being able to pop to the nail cupboard to…
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