TECHS & SALONS

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Scratch Stars Award-winning nail salon owner: competition benefits & advice

By Lilly Delmage | 22 January 2025

Natasha Barker, owner of Scratch Stars Nail Salon of Year 2024, Niche Nails & Beauty, reveals advice for succeeding in the competition. The 2024 awards were not the salon’s first entry into the competition. Natasha explains: “I had entered the awards previously on behalf of the salon, and we had…

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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…

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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…

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Maddie Webster Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Maddie Webster

By Sophie Nutt | 14 October 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Maddie Webster, wears a vibrant fuchsia hue with cuff detailing on almond nails. “I created these nails using The Gel Bottle Inc. Rose Gold from its new autumn collection and layered fuchsia over the top. “I am off…

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Melanie Lewendon Nails

Melanie Lewendon shares her thoughts on nail art, competing and our industry

By Kat Hill | 13 October 2018

Tell us about your training… My training has been really varied. I started life out as a beauty therapist 12 years ago. I came 2nd in the World Skills National Final that year for beauty and second in Sebta UK competition. It wasn’t until I stumbled on gel polish I…

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Tita Turner opens up about working with anxiety

By Sophie Nutt | 10 October 2018

It’s World Mental Health Day, and while our industry boasts confidence, communication and creative flair, many nail technicians deal with anxiety on their own everyday, effecting their work and personal lives. Although mental health is being spoken about more openly in recent years thanks to charities and activists, there is…

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Katie Barnes Nailympia

Why nail techs should push themselves out of their comfort zone

By Katie Barnes | 9 October 2018

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a nail structure girl through and through. Give me a pink & white challenge and I am in my element and what I would consider my weakness, is art. I can paint a face well, but the steps to achieve it don’t…

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Oksana Smirnova

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Oksana Smirnova, Oksana Salon

By Sophie Nutt | 9 October 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Oksana Smirnova, of Oksana Salon, says geometric nails incorporating autumnal hues have been popular with her clients recently. “I have more and more clients asking for geometric designs, I think it’s a fashion now in all sectors; from the…

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Terri Eaton Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Terri Eaton

By Sophie Nutt | 7 October 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Talented tech, Terri Eaton, wears a matte dusky mauve and a bespoke glitter mix for an autumnal look that still sparkles in the crisp sunshine. “I fancied some autumnal, but not too dark, nails, and I also wanted to use…

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