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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We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Chelsea Tipper, of Beauty by Chelsea at Aspire, revealed the combination of animal print and pastel shades has been popular with her clients recently. “A lot of my clients have a love for having different colours and animal print,…
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Scratch puts the spotlight on an eye-catching floral nail design and the talented tech behind it… Elizabeth Jones, from Rugby, Warwickshire, has been a qualified nail technician for over three years. “I have always been a bit of an art geek. Before nails, I studied Theatre Production Design, so you…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Natasha Woods, of The Nail Bed, wears a peachy nail look for an exciting awards evening. “I created this nail look using NSI Natural Tech Tips and Glam and Glitz acrylic coloured powder in Sunset Paradise and High Voltage. The…
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1. Tell us about your training… I initially trained at The Northern College of Beauty back in 2012. I enjoyed it so much I wanted more, so went on to do the NVQ Level 3 in Nail Technology at The City of Liverpool College in 2015. Since then, I have…
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Hear from the team at Honestly Ombré – a Swindon salon championing kindness with wellness initiatives in its community during the COVID-19 outbreak… “We care about the wellness and wellbeing of our community and want to help and support wherever we can,” states owner, Jessica Wallbridge. “We have developed three…
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Scratch catches up with nail tech, Chloe Crook, to learn more about her industry journey… Chloe Crook from Ashford, Kent entered the nail industry in 2018. “The reason why was because I suffer with bad anxiety and doing nails for me is so soothing and relaxing,” she explains. “What’s more,…
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