TECHS & SALONS

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Brighton nail artist: mixed media allows me to create nail art with greater impact

By Lilly Delmage | 13 June 2025

Get to know Scratch Stars Mixed Media Artist of the Year finalist 2025, Sabre van Dijk, in an exclusive interview on her career journey and why she applied for the competition… Tell us about your nail journey… I’ve studied art for as long as I can remember: Photography at the University…

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Kirsty brown fibromyalgia

Award-winning nail tech: How I’ve found success despite suffering with fibromyalgia

By Guest Writer | 7 June 2025

Kirsty Brown is the owner of Paintbrush Nails, Stirling, Scotland, which is the Scratch Stars Home Nail Salon of the Year 2024 & a finalist for 2025. Here, she shares about her experiences with fibromyalgia… Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive difficulties. It can be…

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Powys nail salon: where rustic charm meets luxury beauty treatments

By Lilly Delmage | 7 June 2025

Jodie Evans, owner of Wales salon, Nail Envy, speaks to Scratch about the journey of building her thriving nail business. “Nail Envy is designed to feel like a luxurious home-from-home, combining rustic charm with modern elegance,” says Jodie. “The interior features brickwork, warm wood tones and plush velvet chairs –…

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Anthony lloyd pride profile

LGBTQ+ tech & drag nail artist: the nail industry allows me to embrace my truest self

By Guest Writer | 4 June 2025

Birmingham-based nail artist, Anthony Lloyd, shares about his LGBTQ+ journey and the important role nail artistry has played in it… My journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community has been a positive and affirming one. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been raised in a supportive family environment, and…

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I invited my salon team to create nails for Cannes Film Festival

By Lilly Delmage | 3 June 2025

The Nail & Beauty Lounge owner, Julie McCabe, takes us behind the scenes of her Cannes Film Festival experience, where she and her salon team delivered manicures and pedicures. The team at Poulton-le-Fylde-based salon, The Nail & Beauty Lounge, were called upon by owner, Julie McCabe, to provide the manicures and…

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The painted nail

Award-winning Dorset beauty salon on the challenges & benefits of renovating period properties

By Rebecca Hitchon | 31 May 2025

Recently relocating to the town of Beaminster, The Painted Nail is a salon and academy comprising two period properties. “I felt it was time to relocate the business, as we had outgrown our previous space,” says owner, Toni Rodway. “After searching for a new property for months, I fell in…

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Ms

How to accommodate nail clients with multiple sclerosis (MS)

By Rebecca Hitchon | 30 May 2025

Nail techs share advice for catering to clients with multiple sclerosis (MS)… What is MS? On its website, the NHS states: “Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. It’s a lifelong condition that can sometimes cause serious disability, although it can occasionally be…

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Mika john tech talk

Leicester nail tech: My maternal mental health struggles led me to the beauty industry

By Guest Writer | 28 May 2025

Nail artist & educator, Mika John of Contours by Mika, shares how poor mental health has impacted her life, and the positive impact of tekking… I first realised I was struggling with my mental health about seven years ago while working in hospitality, but I didn’t take action at the…

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Jo bennett maternal mental health

Hampshire nail pro on maternal mental health struggles & pressure to be a perfect mum

By Guest Writer | 25 May 2025

Andover-based nail artist & educator, Jo Bennett, opens up about feeling her lowest after having twins… When I was a new mum, I struggled to focus, my mood dropped significantly and I had no motivation, whether to take my twins out, work or even wash my face. I also had…

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