TECHS & SALONS

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Scratch Stars Award-winning nail salon owner: competition benefits & advice

By Lilly Delmage | 22 January 2025

Natasha Barker, owner of Scratch Stars Nail Salon of Year 2024, Niche Nails & Beauty, reveals advice for succeeding in the competition. The 2024 awards were not the salon’s first entry into the competition. Natasha explains: “I had entered the awards previously on behalf of the salon, and we had…

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Sammy Macdonald Victoria Beckham Nails

Get to know the Scottish nail stylist who led nail looks for Victoria Beckham

By Helena Biggs | 8 January 2025

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

By Lilly Delmage | 6 January 2025

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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Safari themed nail comp inspires techs in lockdown

By Alex Fox | 20 February 2021

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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NAIL TECH TALK: June Gilbert of June Gilbert Nail Artist

By Callie Iley | 20 February 2021

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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Beauty Bloggers Software

Booking software vs. the paper diary | The Beauty Bloggers

By Guest Writer | 19 February 2021

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

How to create a successful salon team

By Guest Writer | 19 February 2021

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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Salon in the Spotlight: Base Coat Beauty, North East, England

By Kat Hill | 17 February 2021

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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#NowTrending: White crystal nails by Ashleigh Rene Owens

By Callie Iley | 16 February 2021

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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