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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Scratch chats to Chantelle Louise Baldwin of Chantelle Louise Beauty about her love for nails and where she sees her future in the industry… “I have launched knowledge and skill building courses aimed at those that have qualified, but have lost their confidence, or just want to keep up to…
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Scratch chats to Charisse Cassie of Chariasnails about balancing her life as a mother and nail tech, and how social media opened her eyes to the vastness of the industry… My signature style of nails are sculpted, hand-painted nails. I sculpt on each and everyone of my clients, as it’s…
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Scratch chats to Abigail Simons of Beautiful Nails by Abi Simons about her training and the advice that she’s picked up along the way… I trained at the London College of Beauty Therapy, then furthered my training under CND, Louella Belle, Gemma Lambert, Katie Barnes and Virag Timar. I do…
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Scratch chats to Paris Evans of Belle Voir about what International Women’s Day means to her… Being in the nail industry is great, it’s like having your very own cheerleaders! I get a lot of support and love online from people who I have never even met but are also…
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Scratch chats to Kayleigh Bateman of The Gel Bar about building her nail cabin and charging your worth as a nail tech… I first trained as a nail tech in 2019. I have completed a few different nail courses during my time as a tech, and have taken part in…
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Scratch chats to Sophie Corlett of Prodigy Ltd about her life as a nail tech living on the Isle of Man… I live and work in Ramsey, Isle of Man, surrounded by sea and landscapes that take your breath away! I have a quaint little salon in my home that…
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