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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Launched in 2014 by Katiie Norman, the Goddess Emporium brand began its beauty journey with a portfolio of Goddess Pro Lash Products. After meeting nail tech, Rachel Lloyd, after Rachel visited Katiie for lash services, the duo struck up a friendship and decided to expand the Goddess Emporium range to…
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Scratch chats to Stacey Nicholls about her Online Nail School launch, being the founder of SLN Nail Training Academy and her journey in the nail industry… With nearly 100 training courses under her belt, Stacey started her self-employed career 8 years ago. She quickly completed her teacher training, mentored students,…
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In 2018, Ashley Wilson purchased a neglected convenience store to renovate into her own salon, taking on a big job to extend the property and adding walls to create separate rooms. “I was pregnant with my first baby at the time of purchase, however this didn’t stop me getting involved…
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Kirkaldy-based nail stylist, Sarah Kay Abbott, scooped the Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year title at the Scratch Stars Party 20/21 owing to her passion for the craft, incredible artistic skills and keen focus on client care. “I wasn’t initially going to apply, but I saw it…
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Halo VIP Lucy Woodward works from a cabin in her home, valuing the privacy the space affords her and her clients. “I work alone in my space which I love, I manage my own appointments and have no one to rely on,” she explains. “My clients know anything they say…
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Scratch chats to Jessica Smith of The Nail Club about growing up in a family of nail technicians and leaving an office job to pursue nails full time… Coming from a family of nail technicians, I have grown up watching my mum and auntie create such beautiful sets of nails.…
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