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
We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Hannah Leahy, of Too Glam To Give A Damn, wears a sheer nude nail look with gold accents. “I created this design using Magpie Beauty products. I just love a simple design on myself and wanted to use my favourite…
Read More
Jayne Masters, nail technician and founder of Cosmedicure, reveals how training in medical nail reconstruction can benefit your business… “As a trained nail technician, I have always had a great client base for pedicure services, however I soon wanted to learn more and take my business that step further. Having…
Read More
We want to see the nail designs that are popular with your clients on social media! Lois Broderick, of Lois Rose Beauty, reveals sunflower-inspired nail looks are popular with her clients at the moment. “Sunflowers symbolise adoration and longevity, they are known for being happy flowers and I believe this…
Read More
Melanie Lewendon, Scratch Stars Mixed Media Artist of the Year finalist 2020, has been keeping her creative streak alive through an A-Z nail art challenge. The talented tech has been creating one mixed media nail design a day for every day of lockdown, each themed around a different letter of…
Read More
We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Kelly Wells, of Beauticle Nails, wears black tips and a glitter fade over nude nails. “After having barely nails for nearly two weeks and having no motivation to do them, I came across a picture on Pinterest that encouraged me…
Read More
We want to see the nail designs proving popular on your social media! Hayley Winder, of Hayley Winder Hair, Nails, Beauty & Educator, reveals a fun and vibrant spring time nail look featuring glitter swirls has been popular. “I think these have been popular because they are happy positive colours…
Read More