TECHS & SALONS

Sammy Macdonald Victoria Beckham Nails

Get to know the Scottish nail stylist who led nail looks for Victoria Beckham

By Helena Biggs | 8 January 2025

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 More
Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 65

Unique salon décor: The Birmingham nail salon featuring a piano as its reception desk

By Lilly Delmage | 6 January 2025

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 More
Becki Menzies Burns Night Nail Tech

I’m a Scottish nail artist working in London. Here’s what I miss most…

By Guest Writer | 3 January 2025

“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 More
Claire Denton

Claire Denton on her career, nail ethos & Dipt

By Kat Hill | 13 April 2019

Hear from Claire Denton on her role as a beauty therapist, nail technician, educator and City and Guilds Assessor… Tell us about your career so far… I began my working career already in the beauty industry when I joined my mother in 1993. She had been a therapist and salon…

Read More
The Gel Bottle Work Life Balance Blog

TGB Insider: How to strike a balance between work & parenthood

By Scratch Staff | 10 April 2019

The Gel Bottle Inc team offer advice for nail techs in the first in their blog series for Scratch… A work/life/family balance is something most of us pursue in our lives, but never seem to quiet nail down completely. In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded by social media telling us…

Read More
Nina Subasic Salon Services

Get set for summer with a playful lilac manicure

By Scratch Staff | 9 April 2019

Nina Subasic, in partnership with Salon Services, reveals how to create a fun and playful lilac manicure – with an eye-catching finish for spring/summer.  “Summer is the season of rosé, beach days, shorts, and colourful nail polish,” she comments. “Thankfully for us, pastels are always on trend, which makes this…

Read More
Jemma Ball Nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Jemma Ball, Jemma Bailey Beauty

By Sophie Nutt | 9 April 2019

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Jemma Ball, of Jemma Bailey Beauty, says ombré designs remain a popular request from her clients. “This design, especially the ombré nails, has been really popular. The ombré trend is still going strong and everyone loves the pastel shades…

Read More
Naild It

My trip to Nail’d It! for a Voesh treatment

By Kat Hill | 8 April 2019

Last week, I was transported to a girlie wonderland thanks to the Marylebone branch of Nail’d It. The successful London salon chain sees set-ups in Oxford Street, Belgravia, Battersea, Marylebone and Clapham Junction, all offering a variety of hand and foot treatments in an ultra Instagrammable set-up. The salons pride…

Read More
Alyssa Nails

MANI MONDAY: Abstract paint

By Sophie Nutt | 8 April 2019

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! Marking the start of a new week, Mondays are often the perfect day to consider how you can shake up your nail art and start thinking about new designs to offer clients for the days ahead. This…

Read More