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 with Sharnleigh White of Nails by Sharnleigh about her love of nail art and hopes for the future. After years of working in all different types of jobs and always doing nails without being properly taught, I finally made the decision to enrol in college when I…
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Nail artist, educator and competition judge, Paulina Mucha, chats to Scratch about her career story, passion for teaching and goals for the future… My journey into the nail industry In 2015, I decided to move to London in the U.K. to become a nanny and study psychology. Soon, I learned about the popularity of…
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Amelia Pullano of Buffed Nails & Beauty chats to Scratch about creating this stunning starburst galaxy design and her life and career as a nail tech. Please tell us about your background in nails… I have been in the nail industry for 16 years, starting in a salon straight from…
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Scratch chats with Phoebe of Pheebs Nails, a talented tech with a love for natural nails, about her experiences and time in the industry. “As far as my industry inspirations go, it’s hard to choose, because there’s way too many talented techs to choose from,” Phoebe beams. “A couple of…
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Kara Kotsonis, founder of the award-winning NailSquad Nail Bar in Deal, Kent, reveals why you should step out of your comfort zone in order to reap greater rewards… Habits can play a role in determining our future and achievements. So why do we often cling onto the ones that proffer…
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Ashleigh Brace of May May Beauty chats with Scratch about creating this dreamy nail design and her life as a nail tech. “My time in the industry began when I studied beauty therapy in college when I was 17. I enjoyed it, however at the time, it wasn’t something I…
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