SCRATCH STARS AWARDS 2017 – Meet the finalists

Here they are; the talented 2017 finalists hoping to shine later next month and be crowned a Scratch Star. 

Each year, the challenge gets tougher, as more and more entries amass for Scratch magazine’s industry awards – the Scratch Stars. Following a scrupulous first round of judging, finalists in each category have been whittled down to just five in each, and we see some familiar nail names as well as hordes of first-time finalists who have embraced the process and taken on the challenge with both hands.

Mid-May, these finalists will be subject to a second and final stage of judging from industry experts and top class educators put forward by our sponsors before the winners are revealed at Scratch’s Summer Party in London on Sunday 23 July. Want to join them there? Then be quick – limited early bird tickets are available for just £50 + VAT. CLICK HERE to purchase.

Nail Stylist of the Year sponsored by Salon Services

• Rebecca Abernethy – Matrix Nails & Beauty, Stockport
• Katie Barnes – Simply Nails & Beauty, Warwick
• Michelle Brookes – Beauty Lounge, Doncaster
• Hazel Dixon – Purely Nailz, Thetford
• Paulina Zdrada – Indulge, Leeds

Gel Polish Stylist of the Year sponsored by Salon System Gellux

• Rachel Coopland – Gelicious Pinkies, Basingstoke
• Dawn Ellor – Polished to Perfection by Dawn Ellor, Newton
• Sophie Hudd – Rainbow Nails, Plymouth
• Kate Sawley – Metamorfosis Nails, Oxton
• Virag Timar – Independent, London

L&P Tech of the Year sponsored by INK London

• Carrie-Leigh Allen – Carrie-Leigh Allen Training Academy, Preston
• Katie Barnes – Simply Nails & Beauty, Warwick
• Michelle Brookes – Beauty Lounge, Doncaster
• Linda Hill – Stylefile, Middlewich
• Virag Timar – Independent, London

Natural Nail Specialist of the Year sponsored by Jessica UK

• Anett Bunkóczi – Michael Jane, London
• Marie-Louise  Coster – All About Mi, Chipping Sodbury
• Tracyann Hutchins – Izzy B, Wokingham
• Elise Scholes-Pilkington – ESP Nails, Westlands
• Ilex Wood – Red 10, Doncaster

Mobile Nailist of the Year sponsored by Nail Harmony UK

• Katie Baron – Capricorn Nails by Katie, Gillingham
• Metta Francis – Nails By Mets, London
• Emily Large – Emily’s Mobile Beauty, Doncaster
• Hannah Missen – Hannah Missen Nails, Essex
• Kerry Saile – Foxy Nails By Kerry, Newton Le Willows

Gel Tech of the Year sponsored by Bio Sculpture Gel UK

• Amanda Hawtree-Taft – Nails by Amanda, Bierton
• Justyna Pryke – Indulge, Leeds
• Gemma Wainwright – Be Gelicious Nails, Inverness
• Cheryl Walker – Cheryl’s Nail Design Ltd, Kingswinford
• Jo Wickens – JoJo’s Nails, Newton Abbot

Polish & Paint Artist of the Year

• Carrie-Leigh Allen – Carrie-Leigh Allen Training Academy, Preston
• Anna Kubicka – Unique Nails By Anna, South Ayrshire
• Alessandra Marchesi – Independent, London
• Scarlett Senter – Scarlett Senter Nail Artist, Norfolk
• Liga Tukmane – Liga Nails Academy, Reading

Mixed Media Artist of the Year sponsored by Lecenté

• Kayley Cairns – The Nail Boutique, Essex
• Hazel Dixon – Purely Nailz, Thetford
• Amanda Hawtree-Taft – Nails by Amanda, Bierton
• Anna Kubicka – Unique Nails By Anna, South Ayrshire
• Tina Li – All Things Nails, Northamptonshire

One Stroke Artist of the Year

• Samantha Fourie – TigerEye Nails, Thatcham
• Carol Hailstone – Glitz ‘n Glam, Widnes
• Josette Hambleton – Josette’s Nail Artistry & Beauty, Ashbourne
• Gail Nicholls – Gail’s Nail Studio, Glascote Heath
• Paulina Zdrada – Indulge, Leeds

Educator of the Year sponsored by Sweet Squared

• Rebecca Abernethy
• Erin Adeyemo
• Hazel Clarke
• Kerry Evans
• Charlene Jepson

Nail Salon of the Year sponsored by Brillbird UK

• Coco Nail Bar, London
• NAF! Salon, Glasgow
• Niche Nail & Beauty Boutique, Witney
• Podology, Saltburn
• Simply Nails & Beauty, Warwick

Nail Environment of the Year sponsored by OPI

• Beauty At The Bay, Colchester
• Gorgeous Nail & Beauty Emporium, Bexley
• Image Beauty Salon, Ipswich
• Sleeping Beauty Salon, Inverness
• Spoilt For Choice Nail & Beauty Salon, Wallsend

Nail Team of the Year

• Ruby Tuesday – Aberdeen
• Sleeping Beauty Salon – Inverness
• Spoilt Sisters – Spoilt For Choice Nail & Beauty Salon, Wallsend
• Team Marian Newman – Nationwide
• Ultimate Goddess – Ultimate Goddess Hair, Nails, Beauty & Training, Doncaster

Best Use of Social Media

• Gemma Lambert’s The Nail Team
• NAF! Salon, Glasgow
• Notorious Nails, Coatbridge
• Simply Nails & Beauty, Warwick
• The Nail Boutique, Essex

Best UK Nail Blogger sponsored by LCBT

• Anona Grice – Nona Philippa
• Lucie Hall – Lucy’s Stash
• Ave Joesar – Nail Lacquer
• Natasha Lee – Natasha Lee
• Samantha Tremlin – The Nailasaurus

Session Stylist of the Year sponsored by Izabelle Hammon Ltd

• Veronica Butenko – London
• Kate Cutler – London
• Stephanie Mendiola – Surrey
• Stephanie Staunton – Kent
• Nickie Rhodes-Hill – Tunbridge Wells

Services to the Nail Industry sponsored by Sweet Squared

• Rebecca Abernethy
• Sue Davies
• Hazel Dixon
• Effiena Mesquitta
• Jemma Porch & Chrissie Pearce of CJP Nail Systems 

The Shooting Star Award

• Magpie Beauty
• Lucy Fell
• CJP Nail Systems
• Stephanie Staunton
• The Shine Nail Bar