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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It’s exciting and delighting to come across Facebook groups where support, unity and inspiration are the names of the game. Invited to judge a weekly nail competition for a nail group on Facebook, I, Alex Fox, was charmed by what I found when I got there. The FB group, Nails,…
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Scratch chats with Magpie senior educator, June Gilbert of June Gilbert Nail Artist, about her journey into the nail industry and her passion for education… I have been in the nail industry since 1995. I started my career at college, completing an NVQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy and then…
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The Beauty Bloggers, aka Natalie Thompson & Rachel Jenkinson, discuss beauty booking systems & what works for their needs… Nat and Rach are ‘The Beauty Bloggers‘ and have over 21 years experience in the beauty sector between them. Their aim is to discuss real issues that beauty professionals face. Passionate and hard-working, the…
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Maddie Regan, Scratch columnist & top tech at 81 Rose Garden, share her top tips for ensuring your salon staff are a happy, successful team… Effective teamwork is something that every organisation should strive for and is particularly important in the salon business. During my time at 81 Rose Garden,…
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When their family grew, Ella and Milly Shanks’ home salon relocated from a bedroom in the family home to a new garage conversion. “We’ve had our home salon for 3 and a half years,” the duo explain. “In the past, it’s been in our spare bedroom, which is now our…
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Scratch chats to Ashleigh Rene Owens of Nails With Ashleigh, Denver, USA, about the nail art planning process & how she created this striking crystal design… “In 2011, I began doing manicures for my family and friends. What started as a hobby became my career after I realised that I…
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