TECHS & SALONS
Beyond The Brush: The nail tech community built on relationships, support & honesty
Gel nail educator & artist, Gemma Siverns, speaks to Scratch about her online community, Beyond The Brush (BTB) – a supportive, educational space she created for nail professionals. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Gemma is a natural mentor. She began her journey in 2000, earning her…
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Suffolk nail artist: ‘My salon isn’t just about treatments – it’s a whole experience’
Allie Eve, owner of The Nail Matrix, opens the doors of her bohemian sanctuary salon, unveiling a space to ‘spark creativity and escapism’. “The Nail Matrix is all about stepping out of the chaos and into a space where time slows down and the world melts away,” explains Allie. “From…
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Nail tech’s maternal mental health struggles: ‘Talking & finding support saved my life’
New Mexico tech, Amberley Robinson, aka The Nail Tattooist, opens up about her maternal mental health experiences… When my first child was six months old, I juggled roles as a full-time beauty student and breastfeeding mum. Leaving my son with a caregiver each day made me feel heartbroken and guilty,…
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Read the latest issue
Seeking a deeper understanding of the nuances of education, Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year 2023, Lucy Price-Marshall, enrolled on a TQUK Level 5 Diploma in Education & Training in 2021, graduating this year. Lucy began her nail journey with private tuition, before enrolling at a college to…
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Is it clear that your business is inclusive to all? Some gender norms and discrimination can hold people back from entering salon spaces. Sarah Brown, owner of Angel Avenue salon and training school in Atherton, Lancashire, reveals that she was prompted to promote her salon as a gender and trans…
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Social Media Hair and Beauty Awards (SMHBA) National Nail Technician of the Year 2023, Nikki Mikellides of Nails By Nikki M, shares her career journey and divulges the details of her win… “I’ve always been creative; I enjoyed art at school and was always interested in hair, make-up and nails…
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November 12, 2023 marks the main day of celebration of the five-day festival of lights – Diwali (also known as Deepavali). A festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains, Diwali is embraced by many outside of its religious circle, as it’s a time to celebrate new beginnings and the…
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Anthony Lloyd’s nail career wasn’t planned; he originally enrolled on a performing arts course after finishing school. But upon realising the challenges of getting a job in the industry, another profession presented itself… “During my performing arts training, I assisted the make-up department and loved this so much that I signed…
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After a very successful business in the baking industry, Claire Welch decided it was time for a career change to allow her to have better time management in her personal life and swapped the bakery for the nail salon, an industry which she had been fascinated with for a long…
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