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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After her Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year win in 2022, Surrey-based Clare Woodcock was determined to scoop the title for 2023, to prove to herself, her clients and Scratch that her first win was worthy. “I wanted to show that I didn’t get lucky the first time, and…
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“While holding clients’ hands – quite literally for hours at a time, they can open up, allowing you to celebrate the ups in their lives, but also the downs,” says Emily Harris, owner of North Devon business, Vanity Nails & Tanning. The passionate pro is a qualified mental health first…
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A lover of abstract styles, mix-and-match designs, and monochrome aesthetics, Millie Copsey discovered her passion for nail art during the lockdown, using her creative skills from her background in graphic design to carve out a career in nails. Having been a creative individual for as long as she can remember,…
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Situated within the Victoria Gate shopping centre a short walk from Leeds train station, Townhouse has announced the launch of its Leeds location. With a treatment menu including Townhouse’s signature or luxury manicures and pedicures with polish, gel polish, builder gel in a bottle and hard gel extensions, manicures can…
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When Marie Holgate finished her GCSEs at 16 years old, unsure what to do, Marie followed her passion and decided to train as a beauty therapist at White Rose School of Beauty in Huddersfield. “I loved the training, especially the holistic side and I will be forever grateful for my…
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Having achieved recognition in the Marie Claire Sustainability Awards 2023 for three years in a row, Titanic Spa has been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best Sustainable Spa category. Based in West Yorkshire, eco-spa Titanic Spa scooped the award in 2021 and achieved ‘Highly Commended’ in 2022, before securing its…
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