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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We want to see the designs trending at your nails desk! Tracy McGoogan of Notorious Nails has found her client have been requesting pastel hues. “Pastel colours have been super popular in recent weeks for our client,” Tracy explains. “I think it’s mostly because of the change in weather! Spring flowers are…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Nicola Cooper fancied a pop of purple for her upcoming Easter break. “I’m currently wearing an overlay on my natural nails using a gel in a opaque pink shade,” Nicola explains. “I buffed and smoothed my nails, before applying two coats of…
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With only four weeks to prepare the salon for its opening before Christmas, owner Kayleigh Marley had a lot of work to do, but the results of Little Luxury stun. With its purple and grey theme, the salon is a tranquil and welcoming space. After the salon’s many guises over…
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“You just do nails” No, just “doing nails” doesn’t come close. Erica Turley (nee Horton), founder of The Nail Barn, Staffordshire, reveals her journey into the nail industry… I spent years working as a nurse and health visitor. I had worked in healthcare from the age of 16 and knew…
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Following a lengthy, exciting and challenging process, Nails magazine has announced the winner of its Next Top Nail Artist competition for 2017. Netherlands nail artist, Tracey Lee, scooped the title in the online nail art competition, which is open to professionals worldwide. Jonny Diep Pham and Liina Leino took the runners up prizes…
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After honing her craft in a busy salon and a rented room in a hairdressers, Sinead Bulley grew her client base sufficiently to go it alone. Sinead’s career took a new turn when she converted her garden room into a stylish home nail salon. “The salon offers a wide range of…
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