Posts by Callie Iley
NAIL TECH TALK: Jessica Smith of The Nail Club
Scratch chats to Jessica Smith of The Nail Club about growing up in a family of nail technicians and leaving an office job to pursue nails full time… Coming from a family of nail technicians, I have grown up watching my mum and auntie create such beautiful sets of nails. This is definitely a reason…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Dolled Up, Suffolk
Dolled Up was established in 2013 by salon owner, Emma Hayes, who took the plunge into the beauty world after being encouraged by her friends. She’d been painting their nails in her spare time, around looking after her two young children, and they recognised her natural skill. “My assistant, Kate Ladbrooke, and I have just…
Read MoreNAIL TECH TALK: Kimberley Sargent of Nail’d By Kimberley
Scratch chats to Kimberley Sargent of Nail’d By Kimberley about her journey into the nail industry and the importance of always improving your skills… During the first lockdown, I became obsessed with watching nail art tutorials on YouTube and TikTok, whilst always keeping up with the latest trends. I set up an Instagram account for…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Pinks Nail & Beauty Salon, Kingsbury
After working at Pinks Nail & Beauty Salon since 2015, Kate Szabo was given the opportunity to purchase the salon from its previous owner in 2019. “At Pinks, we focus on delivering the highest standard of service, focusing on customising treatments for our customers needs,” Kate explains. “Our whole team are highly qualified, award-winning professionals,…
Read MoreNAIL TECH TALK: Jenny Boylan of Jenny Boylan Nail Artist
Scratch chats to Jenny Boylan of Jenny Boylan Nail Artist about working abroad and opening her own salon… I trained in a beauty academy in Drogheda County Louth. I trained in acrylic and gel enhancements, gel polish and fibreglass. After college, I continued to do add on courses. I did a 3D acrylic nail art…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Maci Blanche Nails, Gravesend
Maci Parry began her nail journey in April 2020, and the 18-year-old opened her salon in July of the same year. “It has been tough journey to say the least. I felt that every time I was building up a clientele and getting into the groove of things I was hit with another lockdown,” Maci…
Read MoreNAIL TECH TALK: Anna-Lena Pickel of Ena
Scratch chats to Anna-Lena Pickel of Ena about expressing herself through nail art and mental health… My training is the typical pandemic nail tech story. In Winter 2020, I got my certificate for manicure and gel manicure at Nails Pro Academy. It also started to become my therapy, my creative output. I’ve struggled with my…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Olivia’s Hidden Beauty, Stoke-On-Trent
Olivia Grace Lovatt and her husband initially started their garage conversion with the intention of making it a playroom for their children. After working for her sister since 2005, she realised she wanted to spend more time at home. “My husband said if I wanted to spend more time at home with my little girl,…
Read MoreNAIL TECH TALK: Jess Swinburn of Beauty by Jess
Scratch chats to Burnley and Blackburn based tech, Jess Swinburn of Beauty by Jess, about being featured in her local news and the importance of utilising social media for business… I love everything about the nail industry. I did art as an A-Level, and have always had a creative side, I just didn’t know how…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Creative Nails and Brows, East Yorkshire
After running her salon in the high street of Driffield town centre between 2011 and 2017, Diane Wilson moved her salon to her summerhouse. “I was an A level teacher, but a horrific car accident put me in a wheelchair, so that was when I changed career to the nail and beauty industry,” Diane remembers.…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Coco’s Nail Artistry & Beauty, Rothwell
Lee-Ann Moss enjoyed life as a mobile nail technician from 2017, but began to look for properties to rent during the lockdowns of 2020 in order to open her own salon. “The idea that life is too short hit home for me during the pandemic,” Lee-Ann remembers. “I was approached by my best friends who…
Read MoreNAIL TECH TALK: Camilla Vika Høgemark of Vegan Nails by Camilla
Scratch chats to Camilla Vika Høgemark of Vegan Nails by Camilla about her favourite nail trends and the importance of using vegan and cruelty free products… Art is something I’ve always been into, ever since I was a little kid. I studied Fine Art in college, and later graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: You Beauty, Leeds
After working in the industry since 2013, Rachel Dobson jumped at the chance to open her salon, when space became available in November 2020. “Since opening in December, I have already expanded when Danielle joined in April,” Rachel explains. “I plan to expand further by adding another two therapists to the team. I’m hopeful that…
Read MoreNAIL TECH TALK: Kat Crammon of Katz Klawz Luxury Nail Bar
Scratch chats to Kat Crammon of Katz Klawz Luxury Nail Bar about her transition from teaching assistant to nail tech and how she has grown her business since 2020… Before branching into nails, I was a teaching assistant. I competed the training when my son was young and it was what I worked as until…
Read MoreSalon in the Spotlight: Blush + Blow, Fulham, London
Business-savvy Bridget O’Keeffe launched a blow dry bar and beauty salon in 2015, yet has since expanded her services to diversify her clientele. “I wanted to include much more specialised treatments,” Bridget explains. “We now offer an aesthetics clinic with two doctors, a skin clinic led by Abbi Ingram, and a colour bar with celebrity…
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