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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Award-winning tech shares nail design inspired by grandparents for Dementia Action Week

By Scratch Staff | 15 May 2023

To mark Dementia Action Week, an annual awareness week run by the Alzheimer’s Society, Jade Barber has created a nail design to honour her grandparents and raise awareness of dementia. Here, she shares the powerful meaning behind the style. Jade is founder of Nail & Beauty Excellence, winner of L&P…

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Elle Fishburn Base Coat Studio

Nail Tech Talk: Elle Fishburn of Base Coat Studio

By Callie Iley | 13 May 2023

Base Coat Studio’s Instagram feed oozes clean girl aesthetic, with Elle Fishburn proudly displaying her minimalist nail styles and classic French designs. Elle thrives alongside the socialisation that working as a nail tech affords her. “I love getting to see so many people a day, and it’s even better when…

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Wsna Featured Image Marija Deniz

Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: MARIJA DENIZ, Denmark

By Carter Rogers | 11 May 2023

Marija Deniz is a nail artist from Sjaelland, Denmark, and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her, below… What’s your background in nails? I have  had a passion for creativity and design since childhood, and the nail industry allows me to express…

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Wsna Featured Image Tan Adams

Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: TAN ADAMS, UK

By Carter Rogers | 10 May 2023

Tan Adams is an nail pro based in Pontypool, Wales and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her, below… What’s your background in nails? When and why did you enter the nail industry? I was an artist before I was…

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Wsna Featured Image Monika Kupień

Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: MONIKA KUPIEŃ, UK

By Carter Rogers | 10 May 2023

Monika Kupień is a talented nail pro based in York, UK, and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her, below… What’s your background in nails? When and why did you enter the nail industry? My nail journey started 23 years ago…

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Wsna Featured Image Sarah Kay Abbott

Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: SARAH KAY ABBOTT, UK

By Carter Rogers | 10 May 2023

Sarah Kay Abbott is a nail stylist from Fife, Scotland, and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her, below… What’s your background in nails? When and why did you enter the nail industry? Originally, I was a doing beauty therapy. I…

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