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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Scratch chats to Jen Phillips of Nails by Jennifer Marie about her love for nails and how she created this funky French design… I am a fully qualified nail technician offering acrylic, builder gel and gel polish enhancements. I qualified in January 2020 in L&P acrylic and gel polish and…
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Scratch chats to Kirsty Williams about her tips for aspiring techs and her passion for nail art… What is it about nails that has you hooked? I only realised how much I loved nails when I found myself away from my salon, La Belle Dame, during the first lockdown. I…
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Scratch columnist & top tech at 81 Rose Garden, Maddie Regan, reflects on her experience of lockdown & her return to work… With hair and beauty salons officially open again, I thought I would take some time to reflect on some of my highs and lows during the past 12 months…
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Scratch learns more about Delia Turville, Scratch Stars Polish & Paint Artist of the Year finalist 20/21, about her path to becoming a nail tech, her proudest moments and how she feels about being a finalist… Delia Turville took an alternate path to the nail industry, balancing her time between…
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Keen to make its mark on Walthamstow, London, the team at Bangs London has implemented a number of sustainable practises. Offering hair and beauty appointments, the salon opened in September 2019. “We searched for he perfect space for almost half a year,” co-founders Danielle, Hannah & Shimol, explains. “We knew we wanted…
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Scratch learns more about Andreea Simona Ignat, Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year & Nail Stylist of the Year finalist 20/21, about her pathway to success & the importance of nail competitions… What’s your training background & how has your career progressed? My career started in 2012. I first…
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