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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Jan25 Low Res Cover For Web

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Sweet Lace, Show Me The Honey (with The Cool Gel)

Get the Look: Bridal couture

By Kat Hill | 4 May 2018

Seeking inspo for the upcoming wedding season? Nailist, Sarah Richardson, created this chic bridal look with Light Elegance UK products. Combining baby pink, lace effect and peachy pink hues, the design sees Sarah use the shades Sweet Lace and Show Me The Honey to create a pretty pastel look. Adding a chic metallic edge,…

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Polished Sheffield3

Salon in the Spotlight: Polished Sheffield

By Kat Hill | 2 May 2018

Bright pops of yellow contrast against the clean, contemporary lines of Polished Sheffield. Located in Chapeltown, the salon relocated to new premises last year. “We chose to move to be more accessible to clients and offer better parking facilities, too,” reveals Maria. In its new home, the salon’s team are…

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Sarah Painter Nails

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Sarah Painter, Glamour Beauty Salon

By Sophie Nutt | 1 May 2018

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Sarah Painter, of Glamour Beauty Salon, revealed that soft pink nails featuring French ombre, rose quartz, netted imprints and jewels have been popular with her clients recently. “This nail look has been so popular recently as it goes with…

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Rachael Bubble Flower

MANI MONDAY: Creative candy ball

By Sophie Nutt | 30 April 2018

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! A new trend has caught our attention here at Scratch HQ and that is the ‘candy ball’ (also know as ‘bubble flower’) technique – seeing what appears to be a 3D flower encapsulated in a glass ball. Elegant and…

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Hannah Leahy Nails

WHAT I’M WEARING: Hannah Leahy, Too Glam To Give A Damn

By Sophie Nutt | 29 April 2018

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Hannah Leahy, of Too Glam To Give A Damn, was inspired by a ceramicist on Instagram when creating her current nail look. “To create this design, I used the Magpie Beauty gel colour system. The original design was actually cream…

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5 minutes with Kayley Cairns

By Kat Hill | 28 April 2018

Tell us about your training… I qualified in Nov. 2009 with CND™ in L&P and have undertaken at least up to four classes every year since, including the the CND™ L&P Masters twice! I’ve trained with Ferieda Lydiatte – and looking forward to more 1-2-1 with her in August –…

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