TECHS & SALONS
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 on your social media pages! Chelsea Tipper, of Beauty by Chelsea, says that this white botanical design has been popular with clients across her social media platforms. “This white botanical design has been popular, I think, as we are now having warmer weather,…
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Shropshire based nail tech, Rosemarie Jones, has been utilising lockdown to exercise her creativity and raise funds for the Women’s Equality Party & NHS Charities. The keen artist, who has been working as a tech for six years and has experience in graphic design, has been creating illustrations of friends,…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Kayley Cairns, wears extreme nails seeing a patterned green design adorned with Swarovski Crystals. “I sculpted these nails using HD Pro Nails Acrylic on extra long forms from Krista Paulitti. I then decorated with an airbrushed design and…
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We want to see the designs trending on your social media pages! Talented tech, Karen Brown, reveals pastel rainbow designs have been popular with clients on her social media platforms. “I think this set has been popular because they are summery and girly. We are lucky to have had so…
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Hazel McLachlan, nail artist at RubyBlu Salon Stirling has been creating press-on nails for her clients during lockdown, so they can keep their nails looking tip-top before returning to the salon. This particular pastel set has attracted a lot of attention and demand. “My clients love the rainbow theme, as…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Hayley McCabe, wears a sparkling golden glitter French. “I have had short nails for a while and so sculpted enhancements using the Lecenté Create Builder Gel. I added one coat of CND Shellac in Negligee and encapsulated Lecenté…
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