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 puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful women in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… A nail technician from Leeds has entered a national competition to support her passion; to open a nail salon, training academy and centre and create a number of opportunities for aspiring techs…
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Scratch catches up with nail tech, Kelly Kemp, to learn more about her industry journey… Kelly Kemp from Newquay, Cornwall, entered the nail industry in May 2018. “I suffer from anxiety and depression and was in a bad place, so I was looking for something to help me pick myself up,”…
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Scratch puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful women in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… Claire-Shea Simonds has been a competitive swimmer and runner since the age of eight, however from 11 years old she began to complete swimming and running with other sports to become…
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We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Amy Watts, of Mimi & Co Nail Artistry, has been busy creating nails inspired by Australia’s Mardi Gras celebrations that took place over the weekend. “To create this look, I started with the colour blocked accent nail by creating…
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Scratch puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful businesswomen in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… Meet Laura Jane Berry – an inspiring educator offering an enriched experience owing to her rural nail academy, LJB Nail Academy. Brimming with nail know-how and educating experience, Laura Jane Berry realised…
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Scratch puts the spotlight on a brightly coloured patterned nail design and the talented tech behind it… Claire McQueen of CMNailsx started a nail tech course at college in 2011 after giving birth to twin boys. “I’ve had a passion for nails since I was a little girl,” she says.…
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