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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Meet Melanie Lewendon, Scratch Stars Mixed Media Artist of the Year 2023, who shares her career story, awards process & tips to success… Melanie started her nail journey at the age of 33 and after completing her training, she quickly decided she wanted to open her own salon. Since then,…
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Having had a lifelong fascination for long nails and a passion for art and design, Sylvia Terelak of Bad Polish Gurl reflects on her journey from nail enthusiast to accomplished professional nail artist… “Ever since I was a young child, I was always extremely drawn to long nails, to the…
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Just over a year ago, Nina was faced with some personal challenges in regards to her mother’s health, but despite this, her mum continued to be her biggest supporter and encouraged Nina to venture into the world of aesthetics despite her fear of needles. After being in the beauty industry…
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Get to know Italian-born Alice Nali, Scratch Stars Nail Stylist of the Year 2023, who shares her nail story, journey to success & future goals… Alice Nali first visited a nail salon around the age of 10, and fondly remembers the range of colours and glitters displayed on the shelves.…
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Following Townhouse, Knightsbridge’s second consecutive Nail Salon of the Year win at the Scratch Stars Awards 2023, founder & creative director, Juanita Huber-Millet, shares what the win means to the team and what to expect from the salon brand in future… Townhouse has become a familiar face at the Scratch…
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After working in the beauty industry since 2004 and training with Kirsty Meakin, Emily Ferguson and other prestigious nail techs, Tara Stephenson opened her dream salon in 2020 but sadly it was closed due to the pandemic. Now, she has transformed her spare room into her own nail sanctuary with…
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