TECHS & SALONS

BFLY salon in Derby

The Derby beauty salon where clients & staff are ‘one big family’

By Jess Watts | 24 August 2025

Meet Holly Asamoah, owner of BFLY – the beauty salon creating a home from home. BFLY, located two miles south of Derby city centre, was converted from a tattoo parlour to a luxurious relaxation hub in 2024, spearheaded by owner, Holly Asamoah. The salon space is reflective of Holly’s preferred…

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Michelle brookes scratch stars educator of the year 2025

Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2025 shares secrets to nail industry success

By Jess Watts | 21 August 2025

Michelle Brookes is an award-winning nail technician & educator who won Scratch Stars Educator of the Year for the second time in July. She tells Scratch what makes a good educator, how her processes have evolved and what’s next for her career… “Winning the Scratch Stars Educator of the Year…

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Jade fox nail tech with moebius syndrome

Norwich nail tech: finding success with a rare neurological condition

By Guest Writer | 20 August 2025

I’m Jade Fox and I have Moebius syndrome: a rare neurological condition that is present from birth and affects facial muscles, speech, eye movement and mobility. I face daily challenges that most people never have to consider, and these obstacles have shaped nearly every part of my life. Unexpectedly, they…

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Sam & Mel Show nail art contest winners announced

By Alex Fox | 15 October 2020

Sam Biddle and Melanie Lewendon of the Mel & Sam Show have announced the winners of their September month-long nail art competition, which attracted 40 entries. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month for October 2020, this competition afforded great industry support and prizes while inviting contestants to enter for free, yet…

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Sketched by j a nails lead

Salon in the Spotlight: SKETCHED by J-A Nails, Larkfield, Kent

By Kat Hill | 14 October 2020

“I originally opened SKETCHED four years ago after having worked as a resident nail tech in a hair salon for four years,” Julie-Anne Lariviere explains. “I was expecting my son at the time and found it was the right time to convert my garage into a nail salon so I…

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#NOWTRENDING Pink & grey one stroke flowers by Kirsty Parker

By Callie Iley | 13 October 2020

Scratch chats with Kirsty Parker, nail artist and accredited educator, about how she finds inspiration for nail art in everyday life, and her love for sharing skills and knowledge with others. I qualified with CND in 2006 and progressed onto my CND Grand Master qualification. I’ve worked in salons in…

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Dream nails client habits

Coronavirus: How the habits of nail clients have changed since reopening

By Guest Writer | 11 October 2020

Thanh Vu, managing director of four Dream Nails salons, serves up insight on client habits since reopening… Since nail salons were allowed to reopen on 13 July following the coronavirus outbreak, I have seen a number of changes in client behaviour and demands at Dream Nails salons. Across all four salons,…

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Nikola clifford feature pic

TECH TALK: Nikola Clifford of Beauty Box

By Callie Iley | 10 October 2020

Scratch chats to Nikola Clifford of Beauty Box in Balloch, about her journey into the nail world and her passion for nail art… Since 2015, I’ve had my own salon in my garden called Beauty Box. I studied a HND in Beauty Therapy at Clydebank College in 2003, but found…

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#NOWTRENDING Pink 3D flowers with marble by Gemma Pope

By Callie Iley | 6 October 2020

Reminiscing on her past and all she’s overcome, Gemma Pope of Gemma Pope Nails chats to Scratch about her future goals and her incredible nail art creations. When I left school, I was unsure of what career path I wanted to follow. I went into hairdressing initially at 16, however…

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