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…
Read MoreUnique 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…
Read MoreI’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.…
Read MoreWhy 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…
Read MoreIntroverted 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’…
Read MoreFrom 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…
Read MoreSouth 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…
Read MoreAmy Pierce, founder of The Beauty Loft in Rochdale, is to appear on ITV’s Tonight show to reveal the impact of coronavirus on her business. Airing at 7.30pm on 9 April, the programme explores the emotional and financial implications that COVID-19 is having – and may continue to have –…
Read MoreStarting out as a mobile technician, Lizzy Wade built up a loyal clientele and was soon seeking a more permanent base for her beauty business. “I decided to set up a salon space at home,” Lizzy explains. “This meant I could fit more clients into my busy schedule and arrange…
Read MoreScratch shines the spotlight on Amber-Jane McLeod, a talented tech who has crafted a 4D creation to promote positivity during the coronavirus outbreak Amber-Jane McLeod of The Little Beauty House, Salisbury, began her journey into the nail industry eight years ago, when she trained in Gelish application courtesy of the…
Read MoreWe want to see the nail designs that are proving popular on your social media pages! Diana Pajeva, of Diana’s Nail Art, says that this tropical nail look has been popular with her followers. “This wild tropical look has been very trendy for quite a while now. We see it…
Read MoreWe want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Jade Robinson, of JADE: Professional Beauty, wears Mulan-inspired nails in anticipation of the upcoming movie. “I created my Mulan nails first by infilling my nails with The Gel Bottle Inc BIAB in Teddy. I always like to paint my character nails first…
Read MoreScratch learns more about the career story of talented nailist, Shelley Richards of Elite Nails… Shelley began her career journey in 2015 following encouragement from her sister, Lee-ann Moore. “Lee-Ann is a nail tech and she signed me up to a government funded course for Level 3 Nail Services,” Shelley…
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