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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Part-time dental nurse, Rebecca Louise Evans, wanted to utilise her passion for beauty and her creativity, so opted to train as a nail tech. “I took a course with The GelBottle in February 2020 just before the first lockdown, kicking off my nail journey.” “It was always my dream to…
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Scratch chats to Ashleigh Clews of Ashleigh’s Nails & Lashes about her journey into the nail industry and where she finds inspiration for her work… I have always painted my own nails and loved the art of makeup, however, having two young children at home meant that it was so…
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Paris Evans established Belle Voir in 2019 and is situated in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. “Keeping in line with French names, mine being Paris, Belle Voir translates into beautiful view which felt fitting for my clients in my first salon and future journey.” “In 2021, Belle Voir commenced on a journey…
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Scratch chats to Georgina Duffy of When Beauty Calls By Georgina about her love for nails and her top nail art and industry tips… What inspired you to enter the nail world? I have always enjoyed getting creative and having my nails done, but I thought that hairdressing was my…
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After working in the commercial sector for the majority of her career, Sarah Heath realised her passions lay elsewhere. “I fell out of love with recruitment, and had no happiness or passion in my career. Working with my husband was a strain on our marriage at times. It just didn’t…
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Scratch chats to Kelsey March of KelseyMarchNails about finding inspiration for nail designs and the progress she has made since starting in the industry… It’s the endless possibilities and creativity that has me hooked on nails, I love that there’s always something new to do. I would say my signature…
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