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 Stephanie Yianni of SY Nails about her love for creativity and passion for nail art…. Coming from a creative background, I have adjusted to my new career in the nail industry pretty well. I was previously in roles related to fashion and art, so luckily, nail styling…
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Scratch chats to Katie Baulk of Katie’s Beauty Room about the next steps in her career and her advice for aspiring techs… What is your all-time favourite nail product? This would have to be CND Shellac. I have used it religiously since 2011 and have never fallen out of love…
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The story & nail path of the UK’s nail artist Loi van Nguyen in 2020…as told to Alex Fox A prolific, passionate and highly talented nail artist from Vietnam, meet Loi van Nguyen. Living now for 14 years in Sheffield, Loi prides himself on his relationship with nail craft and design.…
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Scratch chats with Beth Gaunt of Elegance Beauty Boutique about her love for sparkle and freehand nail art… I work from my home salon in Swadlincote, Derbyshire and I qualified as a nail technician in 2016. I studied Art and Business Studies at school, and have always had a love…
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Scratch chats with Alice Sanderson of One Nail To Rule Them All, award winning nail art blogger and nail tech, about her love for all things nails. Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your nail career so far? Hi! I’m Alice, and I’m from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. I…
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Scratch catches up with Cat Upjohn of Blossom Nails Bristol about what motivates her to do well as a nail tech and her future goals… My name is Cat Upjohn and I work as a nail technician on a part-time basis at Blossoms Nails Bristol. The name Blossom is an…
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