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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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.…
Read More
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…
Read More
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’…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
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…
Read More
Wanting to create a salon space to reflect the professional and friendly services she prides herself on offering, Gemma Brown styled her salon using a grey, white and silver colour scheme, creating an elegant and contemporary feel. Leaving school in 2001, Gemma completed her Beauty Therapy NVQs at Levels 2…
Read More
Scarlett Senter of Scarlett Senter Nail Artist & Academy shares how she’s boosted her bottom line through the sale of press-on nails. Scarlett Senter, of Scarlett Senter Nail Artist & Academy, Norfolk, entered the nail industry in 2013, seeking a career that would work around her son. After spending time…
Read More
Karen Bolland shares her Parisian-themed salon setup with Scratch, revealing the inspiration behind her decor choices. After graduating from university with a History degree, Karen Bolland began her beauty training alongside her full-time job in 2003. Studying at evening classes at Phoenix School of Health & Beauty in Chelmsford, Essex,…
Read More
Lover of minimalist nail designs, builder gel manicurist Yina Hurtado of Ginahbeauty shares her passion for the nail and beauty industry with Scratch. Yina’s passion for nails started at a young age, doing the nails of family members as a hobby as a teenager. It wasn’t until lockdown that she…
Read More
Nail art specialist, Hazel Martin of Nail Creations by Hazel, shares her home salon set-up, revealing how she’s styled the space to suit her home. “I always knew I wanted to go into this industry, so went straight on to college after I finished my GCSEs,” Hazel remembers. “I originally…
Read More
Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year 2022, Townhouse, has expanded its franchise with its first stand-alone salon outside of London. Bringing its luxury manicures and pedicures, modern interiors and seasonal nail styles to Surrey, Townhouse Guildford is located in the heart of town in the Tunsgate Quarter, situated among the…
Read More