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 Caitlin Duffy of Polished By Caitlin about why she loves the nail industry and how she created this pretty pastel nail design… My nail journey began in the summer of 2019, when I decided to enrol into a training course hosted by Sally Beauty. This course gave…
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Dani Bailey of Nails by Dani qualified as a nail technician in July 2019 after always being obsessed with nails and learning how to do her own at the age of 14 by her mum. “Since moving to the UK, I was a personal trainer. When I had to give…
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Scratch chats to Kelly Hamby of Diamond Nail Design about mental health and how to spread positivity… I trained in Level 2 and 3 Beauty Therapy at York College and it was there that I found my passion for nails. Since then, I’ve trained at various venues over the years,…
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Scratch chats to Emma Kilani, finalist in the 20/21 Scratch Stars L&P Tech of the Year category (sponsored by INK London) about her 25 years in the industry and what the Scratch Stars competition means to her… When and where did you train and how has your career progressed? I…
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Get to know Tihana Besevic, Scratch Stars One Stroke Artist of the Year finalist 20/21 (sponsored by HD Pro Nails), about her signature nail style and passion for one stroke artistry… Tihana took her first Crystal Nails course in 2012 and went on to become a Crystal Nails Educator in…
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Scratch chats to Jaz Tuck of Jazzy Nails about her career progression and how she created this retro-inspired daisy nail design… Growing up, I knew I wanted to work within the beauty industry. I used to read Scratch Magazine when I was young while my mum was at the salon…
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