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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Dolled Up was established in 2013 by salon owner, Emma Hayes, who took the plunge into the beauty world after being encouraged by her friends. She’d been painting their nails in her spare time, around looking after her two young children, and they recognised her natural skill. “My assistant, Kate…
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Scratch chats to Kimberley Sargent of Nail’d By Kimberley about her journey into the nail industry and the importance of always improving your skills… During the first lockdown, I became obsessed with watching nail art tutorials on YouTube and TikTok, whilst always keeping up with the latest trends. I set…
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A former graphic designer and illustrator, Lucy Allen based in the Kelham Island district of Sheffield, has moved her creative focus onto nails as the owner of Supernatural Nails, having trained as a nail tech three years ago. Opening her nail salon to address concerns she was having on issues…
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After working at Pinks Nail & Beauty Salon since 2015, Kate Szabo was given the opportunity to purchase the salon from its previous owner in 2019. “At Pinks, we focus on delivering the highest standard of service, focusing on customising treatments for our customers needs,” Kate explains. “Our whole team…
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Scratch chats to Jenny Boylan of Jenny Boylan Nail Artist about working abroad and opening her own salon… I trained in a beauty academy in Drogheda County Louth. I trained in acrylic and gel enhancements, gel polish and fibreglass. After college, I continued to do add on courses. I did…
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Maci Parry began her nail journey in April 2020, and the 18-year-old opened her salon in July of the same year. “It has been tough journey to say the least. I felt that every time I was building up a clientele and getting into the groove of things I was…
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