Posts by Callie Iley
Nail Tech Talk: Sophia Stanley of Mama Mani Nails
Natural nail specialist & mother of two toddlers, Sophia Stanley, reveals her child-friendly nail space and why adding a play area has enticed a greater clientele. Affectionately titled ‘Mama Mani Nails’, Sophia Stanley’s business operates from her home in Walsall, with a focus on services that can be enjoyed by clients while their children are…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Lilly’s Beauty Cabin, Norfolk
Lilly Rose Spelman has always had close ties with the beauty industry, having spent six years working for top beauty brands including Chanel, Estée Lauder, Urban Decay and GHD, but her end goal was always to own her own business. “I took some time out of the beauty industry to start my own family, but…
Read MoreNail Tech Talk: Joss Neaves of Cloud Nine Nails
With a passion for art and big dreams for the future of her beauty business, Oxfordshire-based tech, Joss Neaves of Cloud Nine Nails, works from her home studio, offering hand-painted nail art to clients. “I was originally attracted to the nail industry because of the nail community. When I got into the job, I was…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Nails by Amanda, Market Harborough
When Amanda Wesley-Smith was applying for work as a dental receptionist in early 2020, she could never have imagined that by the end of the year, she would be a fully-qualified nail technician about to enter yet another national lockdown. “At the beginning of 2020, I accepted a job as a dental receptionist, but unfortunately…
Read MoreTruro & Penwith College nail students showcase progression through design
Scratch takes a look at the nail techs of the future, as Level 3 Nail Technology students at Truro & Penwith College share their progress… Sarah Brenton-Sara, course coordinator, tutorial quality lead & lecturer at Truro & Penwith College, set nail students the task of creating a progression timeline. “Alongside written and verbal feedback, the…
Read MoreNail Tech Talk: Anta Wilkins of Nails2Empress
Mobile and freelance nail artist, Anta Wilkins of Nails2Empress shares her career progression with Scratch, and reveals her hopes for her future in the nail industry. Since gaining her City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in 2018, Anta continued to further her education, training with Glitterbels and Marie Nailz. She has also utilised Instagram to…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Pinks Beauty Therapy, Crawley
Working as a cabin crew member was Jennifer Brown’s lifelong dream, until she enrolled on a manicure and pedicure course. While working with Excel Airways, Jennifer qualified and set up her beauty business, offering treatments alongside flying. Jennifer named her business Pinks Beauty Therapy in honour of her family, as a tribute to her great…
Read MoreThe 10 Valentine’s Day nail designs you need to try in 2023
Valentine’s Day offers endless nail style opportunities, and 2023’s trends are more versatile than ever. Expect to see toned-down, low-key looks in neutral hues trending alongside bright, bubblegum pink tips and eye-catching 3D designs. What’s more, nails are proving to be the ultimate Valentine’s Day accessory, with research by Beauty Daily showing that searches on…
Read MoreBring 00s nostalgia to clients’ nails with HONA’s That’s Hot art gel collection
Home Of Nail Art, known as HONA, unveils its Y2k-inspired art gel collection, That’s Hot, taking its Detail Paint product range to over 15o shades. The HONA Detail Paint art gels offer a smooth, even consistency with medium viscosity, suiting intricate designs and French manicures, or working alone as a full coverage colour. Noughties nostalgia…
Read MoreNail Tech Talk: Hannah Miles of Nails By Han
Sheffield-based tech, Hannah Miles of Nails By Han, sits down with Scratch to share her nail journey and her 2023 career goals. Hannah’s interest in nails was sparked at around 13 or 14 years old, doing her own nails after school. She rekindled her love for nails during lockdown. “Like many others, I had nothing…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Angelic Nails by Emmie, Maesteg, South Wales
Maesteg-based nail tech, Emmie Williams, showcases her Y2k-inspired salon space, Angelic Nails by Emmie. Emmie Williams initially undertook her nail training in Ireland with Crystal Nails, qualifying in 2014, then taking a refresher course in 2021 with Plymouth-based nail educator, Kirsty Parker. She set up her own salon space for the first time in September…
Read MoreIntroducing In Your Hands: a fully funded nail programme for marginalised industry enthusiasts
A fully funded nail industry initiative has been launched by Bristol-based nail pro, Nathan Taylor, to support marginalised nail enthusiasts. After exploring a number of vocations, admitting that the nail industry ‘was the only industry to keep me interested’, Nathan Taylor moved to Bristol and was offered the opportunity to enrol on a fully funded…
Read MoreWINNER ANNOUNCED: Scratch Snap January 2023
The winner of Scratch’s monthly nail art challenge has been announced as Shannon McKenna. In a showcase of talent, techs stepped up to the Scratch Snap challenge for January & created nail designs inspired by ‘Stargazing’ in the bid to win a prize from Colour Couture. Judged by Scratch‘s copywriter, Callie Iley, and owner of Nail Couture Lincoln,…
Read MoreNail Tech Talk: Georgia Rose of Georgia Rose Nails
Builder gel manicurist, Georgia Rose of Georgia Rose Nails, chats to Scratch about her love for the nail community and her advice for aspiring techs. After nearly five years of offering gel, builder gel and acrylic services, Georgia Rose opted to fully emerge herself in builder gel in 2022, specialising because of her love for…
Read MoreNailympia Germany returns to Beauty Düsseldorf for 2023
After its successful 2022 debut, Nailympia Germany nail competition returns to Beauty Düsseldorf for 2023. “Nailympia is the leading and most prestigious global nail tech competition worldwide. We look forward to welcoming international top nail designers to Düsseldorf again,” says Stefanie Lo Re of Signature Nail International (SNI), who has again taken over the organisation…
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