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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Claire Blincoe, of Magic Manicures & Magic Manicures Training, shares her career journey so far and why she loves her role as a mobile nail technician and educator with the Georgie Smedley Group… Tell us about your career so far… I started working in training almost 30 years ago as a NVQ…
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Scratch chats with Kim Colclough of Studio K Waxing & Beauty about her entry into the nail industry & the inspiration behind this psychedelic design… I’ve had an interest in nails since the age of 14 years old, when I dabbled with corner flick nail art. I went to college…
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Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2019, Rachel Lunn launched training centre during lockdown called The Nailroom- Rachel Lunn Nails and Training. Here, she shares her experience of launching during a difficult time and the inspiration behind going independently… I think like many nail technicians and salon owners, lockdown gave…
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Scratch chats with Isadora Borges Sá of Caliente Nails, based in Porto District, Portugal, about her passion for her nail business and her inspiration sources when creating gorgeous nail art creations. What is it about nails that has you hooked? I really can’t believe how much nails have changed my life.…
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Scratch chats to Millie Donovan, brand ambassador for SNA Professional & owner of MBeauty, about how the full coverage Quick Tips system has helped her business bloom. How have quick tips changed my business? I have been a nail tech for just under two years now and I first qualified…
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Scratch chats with Shannon Rae Smyth of Shannon Rae Nail Artist about her love for nails, as she explains how she created this striking snakeskin nail design… I started doing nails as a hobby; having always had both an interest in, and a passion for nail design. I spent…
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