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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Sarah Longworth Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Sarah Longworth, Nails By Sarah Louise

By Sophie Nutt | 25 February 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Sarah Longworth created these nails after she spotted a similar design on the internet and wanted an excuse to use her most recent batch of nail mail. “I saw a similar design to this a while ago on Pinterest and…

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Hazel Mclachlan Nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Hazel McLachlan, Sanctuary In The City

By Sophie Nutt | 20 February 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Hazel McLachlan, of Sanctuary In The City salon, reveals that pretty pink designs are popular with her clients recently. “I think pink is such a popular go-to colour at the moment as clients are moving away from winter colours…

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Kerrie Labrum Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Kerrie Labrum

By Sophie Nutt | 18 February 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Kerrie Labrum decided to sport a romantic nail design for Valentine’s Day with these red stiletto nails featuring a dashing of glitter. “I created these nails with pre-pinched tips, using a red coloured acrylic powder and encapsulating the glitter. To give the…

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Gemma Lambert Valentines Day

VALENTINE’S DAY DESIGNS: Gemma Lambert, The Nail Team

By Kat Hill | 14 February 2018

Love is in the air and we’re counting down to Valentine’s Day with some super sweet nail styling! Today’s the day! We’re sharing the love with this beautiful design by Gemma Lambert, owner of The Nail Team. Gemma offers a literal nod to Valentines Day with wording on the ring…

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Dana Squibb Nails Crop

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Dana Squibb, Dana Squibb – Nail Artist

By Sophie Nutt | 13 February 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Dana Squibb, nail artist, revealed that grey designs have been popular with her clients recently. “I think grey has been popular because it’s a neutral colour that provides a great background for nail art. It goes with absolutely everything…

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Terri Eaton Nails Valentines Day

VALENTINE’S DAY DESIGNS: Terri Eaton

By Kat Hill | 12 February 2018

Love is in the air and we’re counting down to Valentine’s Day with some super sweet nail styling! Terri Eaton created pretty purple design featuring sweetheart tip feature nails. Using Gelish hue Picture Perfect as her base, Terri then added sparkle to her design with Magpie Beauty nail glitter in…

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