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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Grace Evans of Nail Huns chats with Scratch about seasonal nail art trends and her goals to grow her salon space… “I decided that I wanted to do nails and nail art after seeing so many funky sets online,” Grace recalls. “I decided to do a gel nail course where…
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Elly Aalish Wright of Elly Aalish Nails chats with Scratch about her favourite nail designs and her time working on photoshoots… “I love that nails can give off different bits of personality,” Elly Aalish smiles. “Whether it’s a bold colour choice or a particular style of art, everyone’s are slightly…
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Scratch chats with Abby Brown of Painted and Pierced about her future goals of session tekking and the importance of practising as a nail tech… “I love that I get to create mini art every single day,” Abby enthuses. “I feel so lucky that I get to do it daily.…
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Vicky Gillaspy chats with Scratch about balancing life as a nail tech and a mother, and her plans for her future in the industry… “I have a very full-on life, balancing running my own business and having two small children, who to put it politely, run me ragged,” Vicky laughs.…
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Beca Carrillo of Gemininails sits down with Scratch to chat about the wealth of opportunities for nail techs and where she sees her future within the industry… “I love to express myself with colours,” Beca smiles. “I have always had a love for painting and drawing. “When I started doing…
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Session stylist, Nikki Boulton of Nikki Boulton Nail Technician, chats to Scratch about session tekking and her business she runs on the side… “I’ve been in the industry since around 2008,” Nikki shares. “I love how no matter how long you’ve been in the industry, you can never stop learning.…
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