TECHS & SALONS
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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I was visited by a Scratch Stars Award-winning mobile nailist. Here’s my experience
Here’s what happened when Stella Angelova, Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year 2024, paid Scratch’s deputy editor, Rebecca Hitchon, a visit… Stella of Stella A. – Nail Artist is based in Swanley, Kent, and travelled six miles to my home in Orpington. It was a gloomy and wet day,…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Lauren Turnbull, Lauren’s Little Luxuries, has been experimenting with Swarovski to create beautiful bridal nail looks. “I have both one of my sister’s and a good friend’s wedding this year,” Lauren explains. “I’ve been looking for some bridal nail inspiration and as soon as…
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With its romantic name and matching interior, Blush opened its doors in August last year. “It’s been one of the best decisions I ever made,” owner Kelly Pestell enthuses. “I qualified in 2002 at NVQ Level 3. After a short period in a high street salon, I went into financial…
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We want to see the designs trending at your nails desks! Lisa Johnson, owner of Ultimate Goddess in Doncaster has found her clients have been asking for grey tones to complement and contrast. “I think grey has become a classic colour for nails,” Lisa enthuses. “It is neutral and therefore…
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We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Jade Robinson, of JADE: Professional Beauty has been wearing this magical look inspired by Harry Potter! “For this look, I started by enhancing my nails to my preferred length with CND BRISA™ gel,” Jade explains. “Next, I painted my nails…
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After taking a career break that saw her travel through Thailand and Vietnam, Fleur Burley found inspiration to strike out on her own and open her home-based salon. After spending the end of last year decorating and prepping the salon, Fleur opened the door to clients this month. Offering a…
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We want to see what designs are trending at your nail desks! Jo Duncan, of Beauty by Joanna Louise has found her clients have be asking for an alternative design. Named ‘Evil and Angel’ nails, the design involves one hand in a light shade and the other in a darker…
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