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 an eye-catching, alternative Valentine’s Day inspired nail design and the talented tech behind it… Karolina Nowak of Magnifique Nails Lab creates nail designs alongside working as a photographer and blogger. After passing her first nail exam in 2017, she has slowly increased her work as a…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Kathleen Ryan, of KMR Nails, wears a super chic pearl nail look on almond nails. “I created this set using Magpie Beauty Builder Gel in Build Me Up Buff, which is a lovely sheer pink tone. I then chromed Shelly…
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Hello! I’m Britney Tokyo, I began my career as a manicurist in a nail salon, which was around the same time as I started my Instagram account on which I posted photos of the nail art I was creating every day. At that time, nail art definitely wasn’t as popular as it…
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Nail workshops are continuing to boom in popularity – but what are they and how can they benefit you? Nail workshops allow techs or educators to pass on their skills and techniques to fellow professionals in the form of demonstrations and practical ‘play time’. While workshops and guest artist residencies…
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Scratch catches up with nail tech, Tracey Hazeldon, to learn more about her industry journey… Tracey Hazeldon from Ashford in Kent has been qualified as a nail tech since 2010, when she swapped a retail career to embrace her artistic flair. “I wanted to combine a love of art with…
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We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Dominique Sharpe, of Beau’tique Beauty, has revealed rich grape hues with added sparkle have been popular with her clients recently. “I feel this design has been so popular because many of my clients chose full-on festive nail art over…
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