TECH TALK

Sammy Macdonald Victoria Beckham Nails

Get to know the Scottish nail stylist who led nail looks for Victoria Beckham

By Helena Biggs | 8 January 2025

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

By Lilly Delmage | 6 January 2025

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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Becki Menzies Burns Night Nail Tech

I’m a Scottish nail artist working in London. Here’s what I miss most…

By Guest Writer | 3 January 2025

“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

By Lilly Delmage | 3 January 2025

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

By Lilly Delmage | 22 December 2024

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

By Lilly Delmage | 9 December 2024

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

By Lilly Delmage | 2 December 2024

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

By Lilly Delmage | 29 November 2024

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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Emma Stanton Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Emma Stanton, Nails 2 Inspire

By Sophie Nutt | 25 August 2019

We want to see what you’re wearing in the office! Emma Stanton wears a palette of pastels on her nails adorned with crystals to create a seaside-inspired design. “I created this design using a mixture of several colours all available from Team Gorgeous. On my thumb I used Skinny Dip,…

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Debbie Marangos

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Debbie Marangos, Lioness Paws

By Sophie Nutt | 20 August 2019

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Debbie Marangos, of Lioness Paws, reveals dramatic, darker nail looks have been popular with her clients recently. “This design was a welcome change to all of the recent bright sets that been so popular. We wanted to do something…

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Betina

MANI MONDAY: Delicate jewels

By Sophie Nutt | 19 August 2019

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! As the weather makes its mind up and we’re constantly caught in what feels like the transition between summer and autumn, it can be tricky over the next couple of weeks for clients to decide whether they…

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Jade Robinson Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Jade Robinson, JADE: Professional Beauty

By Sophie Nutt | 18 August 2019

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Jade Robinson, of JADE: Professional Beauty, has been wearing Coco-themed nails. “I created these nails by first coming up with the idea of theming them around Coco. I have done many themed and Disney sets of nails and Coco is…

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Jenny Nagorski

Jenny Nagorski shares her thoughts on the industry

By Sophie Nutt | 15 August 2019

Meet Jenny Nagorski, an inspirational tech & Lecenté brand ambassador renowned for her love of sparkle… How did your career in nails begin? A long time ago, my parents bought me a nail kit as a birthday present. Initially I thought, ‘why would you get me that?‘ but it turns…

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Karen Brown

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Karen Brown, Sanctuary In The City

By Sophie Nutt | 13 August 2019

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Karen Brown, of Sanctuary In The City, reveals tie dye nail looks have been popular with her clients recently! “This nail design has been so popular because its so bright and fun for the festival season, and definitely a…

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