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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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’…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Scratch chats to Natasha Jasmine Payne, of NailsBloodyNails, about her love for her job as a nail tech and the endless creativity in the industry… What is it about nails that has you hooked? I absolutely love that no set will be the exact same as the last, and…
Read More
Creating Realistic Flowers with Anna Sikora Clients can’t seem to get enough of flower designs. So, with this in mind, the latest course to join the Beauty2Trs nail menu is with Anna Sikora. Anna’s course showcases the creation of a bouquet of floristic decorations that are currently proving popular among…
Read More
Lily Snape, of Beauty Bungalow, shares her passion for one-to-one teaching with Scratch, as well as elaborating on her love for free-hand nail art… I have been in the industry for a total of seven years. I started at college where I qualified in Level 2 & 3 Nail Technology.…
Read More
Scratch catches up with Georgina Ironside of Ginalicious Nails about her life as a nail tech and the importance of personal growth… What is your all-time favourite nail product? My all-time favourite nail product would be Candy Coat – Bubblegum Clean, Prep + Wipe, not only because it smells…
Read More
Discover who’s behind the handiwork at the Dream Nails chain of salons with an insight into its staff members… Roseline – Dream Nails Loughton How did you get into nails? By accident. My aunt opened her nail salon in Roman road and I started as a Saturday girl. How long…
Read More
Ellie Rama, of Nails With Ellie, chats to Scratch about her love for the nail industry and her passion for creativity… I’ve been interested in doing nails ever since my teens. I started out by doing nail art on my friends and family, decorating their nails with funky designs. When…
Read More