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 what you’re wearing on your nails! Stacie Richardson has taken her love of lace and transformed it into a nail design, which has resulted in this striking set of sculpted nails. These were created by using her favourite pink acrylic base, in birthday suit by CJP.…
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We want to see the designs that are trending at your nail desks! Lisa Johnson has found her clients have been requesting super-sized crystals to amp up their nail service. “I think the large crystals have become so popular with my clients as they come in a variety of beautiful colours…
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The first Nailympia USA has revealed its prestigious judging panel for the 2017 event. Featuring industry personnel from Russia, Australia and the USA, the 15-strong panel is headed up by head booth judge, Elaine Watson. Organised by Scratch editor-in-chief, Alex Fox, and Athena Elliot, Nailympia USA invites techs to perform in up to nine…
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A real labor of love, the newly decorated Harvey’s Nails has been the result of years of hard work and perseverance from owner, Samantha Harvey. Starting out in the nail industry 12 years ago, Samantha’s career has seen many ups and downs including illness and salon relocations. Despite that, Samantha…
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We want to see what designs are trending at your nail desks! Alicia Clough, of Lunula Nails and Beauty, has found requests for cosmic nails have skyrocketed. “One of my regular clients, who always likes to set me a challenge, asked for cosmic nails,” Alicia explains, “Now, it has sparked off a…
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Manchester’s city centre spa, The Spa at The Midland, has partnered with Wellness for Cancer, a non-profit educational foundation that provides cancer therapy training to spas and wellness facilities. Wellness for Cancer has specifically trained and certified The Spa at The Midland to provide services for guests who have experienced or…
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