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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Mandy kelly nail tech dipt nails

Mandy Kelly: Why my clients love Dipt nail products

By Zoe Wickens | 1 March 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech Mandy Kelly to find out why her clients love Dipt nail products… Mandy Kelly, owner of Mandy Kelly Beauty in Durham, initially heard about Dipt from a distributor who supplied her a nail system for several years until it was discontinued. “They offered me the…

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Blossom iwd

IWD 2020: How a post office & pamper party idea transformed a career in 3 months

By Scratch Staff | 1 March 2020

Scratch puts the spotlight on inspiring & successful businesswomen in the run up to International Women’s Day, 8 March… MEET NIKOLE DAVIDSON Newcastle-upon-Tyne based Nikole began her journey into nails with Helene Kell, north east educator for Bio Sculpture Gel, shortly after giving birth to her third child.  In the…

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Nicola bishop nail tech glitterbels

Nicola Bishop: Life as a Glitterbels educator

By Zoe Wickens | 29 February 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech Nicola Bishop to find out about her new training room and life as a Glitterbels educator… Nicola Bishop entered the nail industry at the age of 14, when she attended a night school with her mum to gain a manicure and nail art diploma. “From…

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Aimee hamilton lacquer lassie nail tech

Tech Talk: Lacquer Lassie Aimee Hamilton

By Zoe Wickens | 26 February 2020

Scratch catches up with nail tech, Aimee Hamilton, to learn more about her industry journey… Aimee Hamilton of The Lacquer Lassie initially became interested in nails when she was about 10 or 11 years old, after stumbling across nail art tutorials on YouTube. “I became hooked,” she says. “I didn’t actually…

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Karen brown support blog 2

#BeKind: why & how you should support fellow nail techs

By Scratch Staff | 26 February 2020

Nail tech & salon owner, Karen M Brown, shares her creativity and wisdom in a series for Scratch… Based in Scotland, Karen co-owns (with her sister) Sanctuary in the City; two multi-award-winning salon destinations. The duo also owns training academy, NABTA UK, and provides nail and beauty education across the UK. Karen co-founded…

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The odyssey spa, stevenage

Salon in the Spotlight: The Odyssey Spa, Stevenage

By Kat Hill | 26 February 2020

The Odyssey Spa in Stevenage prides itself on providing a relaxing, holistic experience thanks to warming Moroccan touches in its décor. “We have a Moroccan theme throughout the spa,” explains spa director, Tiffany Harding-Aucott. “We wanted a spa that was dark and cosy for our clients to completely relax in.” The spa’s relaxation…

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