Sarah rushworth of the nail shed

Nail Tech Talk: Meet Sarah Rushworth of The Nail Shed, Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2023

By Callie Iley | 2 September 2023

Valuing offering clients a personalised, focused service due to her struggles with anxiety since the birth of her son, Sarah Rushworth of The Nail Shed, Bolton, details her nail journey & how it felt to win Home Nail Salon of the Year in the Scratch Stars Awards 2023… Working two…

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Lucy's glamourvan in deal

Salon in the Spotlight: Lucy’s Glamourvan, Deal

By Carter Rogers | 31 August 2023

Getting into the industry seeking flexible working hours around childcare in 2002, Lucy Fulbrook tackles new terrain with her mobile salon, the Glamourvan… With a budget of £1000 to renovate a poor condition caravan she purchased for £150, Lucy and her builder husband set to work on converting it into…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Jules Nails and Beauty, Keighley

By Callie Iley | 24 August 2023

Qualifying in level 2 beauty in 2001 from Craven College, Skipton, Julianne Weatherall’s creative and artistic nature instantly attracted her to the world of nails. “I decided nails was the place I needed to be, so in 2002, I enrolled at Keighley College to learn advanced nail techniques, and I’ve…

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Jos nails in sutton bridge

Salon in the Spotlight: Jo’s Nails, Sutton Bridge

By Callie Iley | 17 August 2023

Attending Isle College in 1992 to study hair and beauty, Joanne Smyth had a love for beauty since she was a child, seeing her qualifying as a natural next step. With over 30 years of industry experience, Joanne based her beauty business from a salon where she rented a space…

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Denise maples nail tech talk

Nail Tech Talk: Denise Maples of Onestop Nails

By Callie Iley | 12 August 2023

Attending Olympia Beauty with a nail technician friend, Denise Maples became enthralled in the world of nails, making the decision to train and qualify herself. A single parent to three sons, Denise was working as a cleaner during school hours to make ends meet, with one of her jobs based…

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Beautyhour by carlianne salon in the spotlight

Salon in the Spotlight: BeautyHour by Carlianne, Blaydon

By Callie Iley | 10 August 2023

Training in December 2022 with Nicole Dowling of Totally Polished, Carlianne Elliott-Purkins had previously studied beauty therapy at college upon leaving school but initially pursued another career. Deciding to take the leap and retrain, Carlianne notes beauty and nails as her main interests, encouraging her to make the decision. “I’d…

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Nicola julian nail tech talk

Nail Tech Talk: Nicola Julian of Oakwood Nails

By Callie Iley | 5 August 2023

Overcoming self-doubt to pursue a career in the nail industry, Nicola Julian of Oakwood Nails discovered her love for nail art during the pandemic before completing her training in 2021. Having had an interest in make-up, hair and nails from a young age, Nicola Julian initially pursued a career in…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Nailed it by Jo, East Kilbride, Scotland

By Callie Iley | 27 July 2023

With a background in finance and a BA Honours in Business Management, Jo Simpson’s passion for nails and nail art remained as a hobby until 2019, when a serious infection led her to re-evaluate. “I had a long recovery and a few stays in hospital, which really made me reflect,”…

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Salon in the Spotlight: K.M.Nails & Beauty, Wroughton

By Callie Iley | 20 July 2023

Having had dreams of entering the beauty industry for as long as she can remember, Kasey Beasley remembers watching nail art videos on YouTube and having her mum and sisters model for her practice. “I knew I had to do this as a career,” she shares. “When I left school…

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Are your gloves protecting you against nail ingredients

Are your gloves protecting you against nail ingredients?

By Katie Barnes | 18 July 2023

In a previous blog for Scratch, we explored what gloves are needed for nail technicians and covered thickness and how often these need to be changed. In this blog, we delve deeper into chemical permeability and how to know if your gloves protect you against the chemicals which you use…

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Nail Tech Talk: Abi Hassan of Hot Wheels Nails

By Callie Iley | 15 July 2023

With a colourful nail art library & an equally bright personality to match, Abi Hassan, owner of Canterbury-based salon, Hot Wheels Nails, sits down with Scratch to discuss the importance of creating an inclusive & accessible salon space… “When I was a little girl, I looked up to my older…

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Luxury glam nails & beauty salon in the spotlight

Salon in the Spotlight: Luxury Glam Nails & Beauty, Chorley

By Callie Iley | 13 July 2023

Curating a fresh and girly look for her salon, Vicky Lea used a pink and white palette for her salon, adding soft touches such as florals and pampas grass to soften the clinical elements. Training with NSI in 2002, Vicky Lea has been doing nails ever since. “It’s been over…

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Discounts: Are they a good idea?

By Guest Writer | 7 July 2023

Hair & beauty business coach, Maddi Cook of Boss Your Salon, shares advice on offering discounted services to family & friends… We’ve all been faced with the dilemma of giving a discount to friends and family. While it may seem like a good deed to hook up your loved ones,…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Pretty Miss Nails & Beauty, Abertillery, South Wales

By Callie Iley | 6 July 2023

Inspired by her love for the hue, Laura Ann Francis’ cosy salon has a pink palette running throughout, using her decor to create a ‘home away from home’ for clients to enjoy. “Pink has always been my favourite colour,” Laura explains. “It was a no-brainer that the salon was going…

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Nail Tech Talk: Lilli Pullman of Lilli Paintz 

By Callie Iley | 1 July 2023

A lover of all things bright, bold & outrageous, Sevenoaks-based nail artist, Lilli Pullman, reveals the details of her creative endeavours & shares her plans for the future of Lilli Paintz… Heading straight to college to complete her NVQ’s in Levels 2 and 3 upon leaving school, Lilli jumped headfirst…

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