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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Bringing a creative flair to her West Midlands home salon, Anni Watson shares how she’s incorporated her artistic background and love for upcycling into Nail Angel Studley… “While starting a family over 20 years ago, I decided to qualify in nails. I always wanted to use my artistic talents, as…
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After her nail technician changed careers, Samantha Gripton was left missing her monthly treat of a gel polish manicure and was inspired to create her summerhouse studio, Samantha Laura Nails. “I used all of my savings to renovate the summerhouse in my back garden,” Samantha tells Scratch. “I invested in…
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Transforming a plain grey office space into a moody maximalist nail studio carefully curated with curiosities, oddities and antiques, April Kitson wanted to reflect a dark academia aesthetic through her salon décor. “My personal style is heavily influenced by Stevie Nicks and Morticia Addams, so I’ve used vintage and thrifted…
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Hand-painted nail artist, Bethany Mann of Beth’s Beauty, Cambridge, shares her love for creating detailed designs and reveals where she finds inspiration for her bright and bold artistry… Having had a passion for nails from a young age, Bethany loved art and studied the subject in school, which inspired her…
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Following her success in winning two Scratch Snap competitions, Carla Brannan of Gelled Pretty shares her nail art journey and goals for 2024… Carla recalls a lifelong passion for beauty, having always known that her career would be in the industry. “I loved anything to do with hair, make-up and…
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Explore Eleven Kings salon as Jess Dickerson discusses its pink and green colour scheme and reveals her future plans in the beauty industry… Despite not enjoying doing her own nails, Jess loved the idea of styling others’ nails. In October 2021, she enrolled in training with Next Step Beauty via…
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