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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Kelly Bradford, owner of Kels Gels has had a varied career before becoming a nail technician four years ago. From being a service engineer, to cabin crew for British Airways, Kelly shares her story… I started working at Somerfield as a checkout supervisor at 16, followed by NatWest bank as…
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After working in the industry since 2013, Rachel Dobson jumped at the chance to open her salon, when space became available in November 2020. “Since opening in December, I have already expanded when Danielle joined in April,” Rachel explains. “I plan to expand further by adding another two therapists to…
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Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year finalist 20/21, Oksana Smirnova, shares how she discovered her passion for nails, how it felt to be announced as a finalist and her next career steps… Tell us about your nail industry journey… I started my career as a nail technician in 2009,…
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Scratch puts the spotlight on famous nail industry dads & finds out more about them from their offspring… SAMUEL SWEET, co-founder/CEO, Sweet Squared, & his son, Dexter Samuel Sweet has always been creative and, showing a talent for artistry, he was invited to work at his great aunt’s salon and…
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Scratch chats to Kat Crammon of Katz Klawz Luxury Nail Bar about her transition from teaching assistant to nail tech and how she has grown her business since 2020… Before branching into nails, I was a teaching assistant. I competed the training when my son was young and it was…
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Business-savvy Bridget O’Keeffe launched a blow dry bar and beauty salon in 2015, yet has since expanded her services to diversify her clientele. “I wanted to include much more specialised treatments,” Bridget explains. “We now offer an aesthetics clinic with two doctors, a skin clinic led by Abbi Ingram, and…
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