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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Kara Kotsonis, owner of the award-winning NailSquad salon in Deal, Kent, shares her experiences of a business mentor… You may have heard the word ‘mentor’ banded around, but never really thought or looked into whether a mentor could be helpful for you or your business. If so, here’s the professional…
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Vietnamese nail artist, Quinada has shared her latest photo shoot where recycled materials took centre stage for the nail art designs in the Asian Recall Collection. “In this new collection, the main materials I used were recycled. I used the peel of dried onion for the lotus flower art (the…
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Tina Bell, head of education for Pure Nails & owner of Totally Polished Academy, shares the ways she’s been keeping busy before her nail business and academy can resume in-person service… I have officially worked more from my dining room table in the past year then I have my salon – who would…
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Scratch chats to Charlotte Clements of Nails and Beauty by Charlotte about her future goals and how she created this striking aurora nail design. I have worked in the beauty industry since 2006. During my time in the industry, I have worked as a beauty therapist on a cruise ship,…
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Scratch chats to Pamela Lipska of Nail Addiction Trd about the Norwegian nail industry and her love for detailed nail art. The thing that got me hooked about nails in the beginning was the idea of creating my own company. I wanted to make things that were a little bit…
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Scratch chats to Lindsey Cunningham of Lindsey’s Beauty Lounge about her journey into the nail industry and how she created this gorgeous gold leaf nail design… After working in an office when I finished university, I soon realised it wasn’t for me. I trained in beauty therapy part-time while working…
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