TECHS & SALONS

Lilly Web Newsfeature Lead 1200x800px 79

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…

Read More
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
Jan25 Low Res Cover For Web

Read the latest issue

Social Media Icons Internet App Application

Key apps & organisational tools for mobile nail techs

By Metta Francis | 19 July 2018

Award-winning mobile nailist, Metta Francis, shares some handy apps and tools to ease manicuring on the move… There are a number of tried, tested and mainly free apps and tools that I find helpful as a mobile nail technician, from organisational to marketing and accounting tools. ORGANISATIONAL TOOLS Google Calendar, Contacts…

Read More
The Powder Room Beauty Parlour11

Salon in the Spotlight: The Powder Room Beauty Parlour, Hull

By Kat Hill | 18 July 2018

With a tight budget but a clear dream, Claire Edwards knew she wanted to achieve – the upmost luxury in a boutique setting. “The Powder Room Beauty Parlour was established in November 2011,” explains Claire. “I already had a small business renting a room within a hair salon, but I just…

Read More
Hannah Leahy Nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Hannah Leahy, Too Glam To Give A Damn

By Sophie Nutt | 17 July 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Hannah Leahy, of Too Glam To Give A Damn, reveals that this design featuring soft and elegant hues, glitter and freehand nail art has been popular with her clients recently. “I think this design is so popular because of…

Read More
Chaun Legend Mani Monday

MANI MONDAY: Jazzy jelly nails

By Sophie Nutt | 16 July 2018

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! A cute trend that has recently caught our eye here at Scratch HQ is ‘jelly nails’ – the latest Instagram worthy trend that serves up both a cute and chic look. Reminiscent of vibrant jelly sweets and sandals, the popular…

Read More
Jemma Ball

Jemma Ball reveals her love of CND Shellac™, Kirsty Meakin and the nail community

By Kat Hill | 14 July 2018

Tell us about your training… I trained in beauty therapy up to level 3 eight years ago. I bagged my first salon job and loved watching the other team members create enhancements so I knew I had to train in liquid & powder. I saved all my wages up and…

Read More
Professional Amateur

What is a nail technician? Discuss…

By Scratch Staff | 11 July 2018

Bob Giblett, co-owner of Swedish nail product & education provider, Iryna Giblett AB, dissects the role of the nail technician and discusses differing standards across the globe… What is a nail technician? Who you ask and where you ask will produce very different answers! In most countries, nail tekking is…

Read More