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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Sheffield-based tech, Hannah Miles of Nails By Han, sits down with Scratch to share her nail journey and her 2023 career goals. Hannah’s interest in nails was sparked at around 13 or 14 years old, doing her own nails after school. She rekindled her love for nails during lockdown. “Like…
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Scratch chats to Danny Manchip of Beau’s Beauty Box about his Scratch Star Award win, career journey & goals for the industry… What sparked your interest in nails? I had been working in retail for 12 years and as I was approaching my 30th birthday, I concluded that I didn’t…
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Builder gel manicurist, Georgia Rose of Georgia Rose Nails, chats to Scratch about her love for the nail community and her advice for aspiring techs. After nearly five years of offering gel, builder gel and acrylic services, Georgia Rose opted to fully emerge herself in builder gel in 2022, specialising…
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Cardiff-based tech, Abbie-Lea Elliott, completed her training in March of 2021, dedicating her time throughout lockdown to practise. “I trained on the first course that opened up after Covid, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made,” Abbie smiles. “I love anything weird and wonderful when it comes to…
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Alana of Trick Or Treat Nails chats with Scratch about her unique, horror-inspired nail style, and reveals her aspirations for 2023… Southampton-based tech, Alana of Trick Or Treat Nails, completed her training from home throughout the lockdowns via zoom. “Training online was so much harder to do, as there’s no…
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County Donegal nail technician shares benefits of PHAB Service Star accolade Rina du Plessis of Signature Nails by Rina in Letterdenny, Co. Donegal, has been recognised for her exemplary nail treatments and customer care with a PHAB Service Star. The PHAB Service Stars initiative was launched by Nergish Wadia-Austin, esteemed…
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