TECHS & SALONS

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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Reverie beauty room on the isle of wight

Step inside the nail salon & academy by the sea on the Isle of Wight

By Jess Watts | 16 August 2025

The Gel Art Academy is the passion project of Rebecca Evans, a tech with a love for nail art and education. The cosy salon is located in Rebecca’s home on the Isle of Wight and provides the ultimate relaxation spot for clients. “The space used to be the utility room…

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Aug 25 low res scratch cover

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Metta francis

Metta Francis on mastering enhancements & creating expressive designs

By Kat Hill | 19 October 2019

Tell us about your training…  When I first entered the industry back in 2010, I was still working full time and looked for courses that I could complete around the day job. I initially trained with CND™ in manicure and pedicure services, followed by Nail Harmony for Gelish training. I trained in…

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Robbie Tomkins on maintaining a work/life balance in the session world

By Sophie Nutt | 17 October 2019

As I’ve mentioned before, working as a session tech is unlike any job I’ve had before. Working in an office, salon or even as a mobile tech usually involves some sort of parameter as far as time is concerned, such as working hours and days of the week. I found…

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Salon in the Spotlight: BeeBee Beauty Salon, Oakham

By Kat Hill | 16 October 2019

Stepping inside Mali Palmer’s salon, BeeBee Beauty Salon, is a warm and welcoming experience. “The salon is very cosy,” smiles Mali. “It is designed to make you feel like you are at home enjoying the comforts of home but with the added bonus of having wonderful treatments. “The treatments we offer…

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Kayley cairns

#TRENDINGTUESDAY Kayley Cairns, Naily Kayley

By Sophie Nutt | 15 October 2019

We want to see the designs trending at your nail desk! Kayley Cairns, of Naily Kayley, reveals darker shades paired with Swarovski crystals are popular with her clients recently. “Darker colours have been becoming more popular with the changing seasons but mixing them up in style with French, nudes and…

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Learnah

MANI MONDAY: Mahogany dreams

By Sophie Nutt | 14 October 2019

Begin the week the right way with some nail inspiration this mani Monday! Autumn is well and truly underway so we’re slowly starting to say our emotional goodbyes to summer manicures. However, we don’t seem to feel so sad to part with summer nail shades and designs when we see…

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Sinead bulley

WHAT I’M WEARING: Sinead Bulley, The Nail Shack

By Sophie Nutt | 13 October 2019

We want to see what you’re wearing on your nails! Sinead Bulley, of The Nail Shack, wears super cute tartan pumpkins on her nails. “To create these nails I applied two coats of Magpie Beauty’s Nina Cherry topcoated with Don’t Be Tacky. For the pumpkins, using Hazel Dixon’s art gels,…

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