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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York-based nail artist, Alex Hilton of By Alex details what she loves most about the nail industry and shares her plans for the future of By Alex… “I’ve always had an interest in the beauty industry,” Alex remembers. “From the young age of about 11 years old, I would ask…
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With dreams of one day owning her own luxury nail salon, Cherie Whitlock of Ma Cherie shares her next steps in her career & reveals what she loves most about being a nail tech… Cherie’s creative streak instantly attracted her to the industry, led by a lifetime of talent and…
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Achieving award-winning success after only a year in the nail industry, Jasmine Wilson of Jazzy AF Nails shares her love for channelling mindful creativity through her bright & bold, psychedelic nail styles. Jazz was hired as an apprentice in a local salon in Paisley in June 2022, taking her first…
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As a long-time beauty lover, Joanna Paylor of The Beauty Garage was instantly drawn to pursuing a career in the industry. “I never really enjoyed school much and couldn’t wait to get to college and do something practical and creative on my own terms,” Jo explains. “I love being able…
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Having always enjoyed art and beauty, character nail artist, Hannah Smith of Hannah Smith Essex Nail Artist was quickly drawn to the nail industry, wanting to use her two passions to create a career for herself. “The nail industry not only allows me to be creative every day, but it…
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Transforming her lifelong love for nails into a blossoming career, Megan Freeman, shares her earliest memories of visits to the salon and her hopes for the future of Corner 21… Accompanying her mother to salons as a child, Megan remembers sitting and watching in awe, and can still recall the first…
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