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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Scratch puts the spotlight on a striking, floral inspired nail design and the talented tech behind it… Mila Davidkova of Mila Davidkova Nails was a singer and nail tech in her native Bulgaria before moving to London to continue her career. She then switched to nails full time after undertaking…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Katie Foster, of Nomad Beauty, created a witch-inspired nail art look. “I was inspired to create these nails because I wanted something simple with no glitter for a change. I love anything witchy/occult and I have several stamping plates by…
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With feeds of striking nail art designs and handy tutorials, last year saw social media success for Fie Pedersen. “I started 2019 with 3,500 followers on Instagram,” Fie states. “Now, I have over 55,000. It has been an amazing experience and has brought with it many exciting opportunities.” Starting out…
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London Grace believes ‘catching up with friends, a glass of wine and a good-looking set of nails’ are amongst the best things in life, which is why it has created a space where all three can be enjoyed in equal measure. London Grace questions what it means to be a…
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Scratch catches up with nail tech, Carla May Wainwright, to learn more about her industry journey… Carla May Wainwright from Doncaster entered the nail industry five years ago when she left school. “My mum is also a nail technician, so I was brought up around nails and always modelled for her…
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After years working mobile and across her dining room table, Kirstan Hart’s recent house move saw space for her very own nail studio. “I’ve always been obsessed with interior design and having my very own studio to decorate how I like (without having to confer with the husband) was the…
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