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 what you’re wearing on your nails! Natasha Woods, of The Nailbed, wears a stunning lilac and blue nail look for her sister’s wedding. “I created these nails with the new 015 Chameleon Glitters from Glitterarty Nails and a mix of sculpts and tips. The acrylic used…
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We chatted Scratch Stars Awards 2019 L&P Tech of the Year, Fereida Lydiate… How did you career in nails come about? I originally trained as a beauty therapist as there weren’t courses available just for nails and completed my beauty training in 1996. From there I worked in a salon as a…
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She’s tended to the talons of numerous celebrities, is a regular manicurist on photo shoots and has scooped a Scratch Star – and now Stephanie Staunton has a shiny new venture; her own nail setup. Stephanie and I are from the same area just outside London; a busy suburb with…
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We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Arlene Fraser, of Nails By Arlene, reveals rainbow marble has been popular with her clients recently. “Marble is so versatile, there are a number of different marble techniques using gel polish, acrylic marble ink and other materials but the…
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This is so sad! This is my final blog as the Erica Turley Academy is now open! All in all, I ran out of savings so I had to buy stock and add finishing touches on a week by week basis and started upcycling. As funds were pretty much gone,…
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Begin the week the right way with some nail inspirations this mani Monday! Not all summer nail looks have to be bold or vibrant, as Sarah R (aka @therealmrsgrey) proves with this delicate and on-trend milk bath design. Owner of Nail Stamping Queen UK, Sarah created these soft nails with…
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