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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Found at the bottom of the family home’s garden, Faye Louise Dennis’ studio proffers a chic, city-style décor in the comforts of a home setup. Specialising solely in hand and foot services, the recently renovated private studio provides the ideal workspace for Faye. “I have had an incredible pedicure station…
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“My home-based salon has moved with me into four different family homes until my husband and I found our forever home in 2017. I’ve since moved into two different rooms in the house but have finally found my fit!” enthuses Lynda Sanchez. A mix of pastel and gold shades exuding…
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Scratch chats to Pip Wilkinson of Haus of Claws about wanting to create an openly queer, positive safe space and how she created this tattoo-inspired design… My nail journey started when I was 14 years old. I’d buy cheap varnishes and practice nail art at home. It was shortly after…
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Scratch chats to Erin Lynch of La Pintora Nails about finding inspiration in nature and charging your worth… Like many people, the pandemic made me re-evaluate a few things and I decided to take forward my love of nails and nail art by gaining my gel manicure certification. I completed…
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Keen to share her passion for the beauty industry, Corinne McDermott established Beauty Academy on the Move in 2017 to deliver accredited training. “Following a career of working in salons, onboard a cruise ship and in spa’s, I was inspired to pass on my knowledge, skills and experience,” Corinne states.…
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Scratch chats to Aimie Wheatley of AimieVee Beauty Studio about creating a safe space for women in her salon and how she created this 90’s pierced nail design… I began my journey into nails over 10 years ago. I started with gel polish, and loved it, and then moved onto acrylic…
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