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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NAIL TECH TALK: Jasmin Sutor of Nails by Jasmin

By Callie Iley | 19 February 2022

Scratch chats to Jasmin Sutor of Nails by Jasmin about her favourite nail products and the importance of keeping up with the latest industry trends… I trained as an apprentice in the salon I still work in, and have also completed separate training courses over the years. Since I started…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Ashleigh Clews of Ashleigh’s Nails & Lashes

By Callie Iley | 12 February 2022

Scratch chats to Ashleigh Clews of Ashleigh’s Nails & Lashes about her journey into the nail industry and where she finds inspiration for her work… I have always painted my own nails and loved the art of makeup, however, having two young children at home meant that it was so…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Georgina Duffy of When Beauty Calls By Georgina

By Rebecca Hitchon | 2 February 2022

Scratch chats to Georgina Duffy of When Beauty Calls By Georgina about her love for nails and her top nail art and industry tips… What inspired you to enter the nail world? I have always enjoyed getting creative and having my nails done, but I thought that hairdressing was my…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Kelsey March of KelseyMarchNails

By Callie Iley | 29 January 2022

Scratch chats to Kelsey March of KelseyMarchNails about finding inspiration for nail designs and the progress she has made since starting in the industry… It’s the endless possibilities and creativity that has me hooked on nails, I love that there’s always something new to do. I would say my signature…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Kerrie Louise of Nzuri Nails & Training Academy

By Callie Iley | 22 January 2022

Scratch chats to Kerrie Louise of Nzuri Nails & Training Academy about the importance of investing in training and finding your inspiration… I love being a part of a client’s nail transformation journey. Going from a simple starting point to achieving their ultimate nail goals. I love helping them to…

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NAIL TECH TALK: Lucy Greenman of Nails by Lucy Greenman

By Callie Iley | 15 January 2022

Scratch chats to Lucy Greenman of Nails by Lucy Greenman about the importance of hard work and her future career goals… Everything about nails has me hooked! I think my favourite thing about nails is how much personality these tiny designs can hold. There’s nothing better than a client telling…

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