TECHS & SALONS
Inside the child-friendly countryside nail salon that caters to comfort
Meet Kay Kirsop, the owner of Kay Cooper Nails, a child-friendly salon that prides itself on comfort and safety. Kay Kirsop has always loved nails. “From Tipp-Exing the tips of my nails in primary school, to being suspended at the age of 14 for refusing to take off acrylic enhancements,…
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Women’s Euro 2025: the nail tech behind England Lionesses’ winning manicures
Following the Women’s Euro 2025, Dzastina Jovaisaite – the pro behind nail looks for members of the triumphant England squad – shares about the ‘career highlight’ with Scratch… “I felt so privileged and couldn’t believe it when I received a message from Chloe Kelly about creating nail looks for some…
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Nail techs with psoriasis reveal what life is like with the skin condition
Psoriasis is a ‘condition that causes dry, scaly and sometimes itchy or sore patches on the skin,’ according to the NHS. Here, two nail techs share their experiences with psoriasis… “I suffer from seasonal psoriasis on my fingers and hands (mostly during autumn and winter) and psoriatic arthritis,” shares Fie…
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Read the latest issue
Training in December 2022 with Nicole Dowling of Totally Polished, Carlianne Elliott-Purkins had previously studied beauty therapy at college upon leaving school but initially pursued another career. Deciding to take the leap and retrain, Carlianne notes beauty and nails as her main interests, encouraging her to make the decision. “I’d…
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Overcoming self-doubt to pursue a career in the nail industry, Nicola Julian of Oakwood Nails discovered her love for nail art during the pandemic before completing her training in 2021. Having had an interest in make-up, hair and nails from a young age, Nicola Julian initially pursued a career in…
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Offering a one-stop salon for nail, beauty and aesthetics treatments in a contemporary central London salon location, Mayfair Aesthetics & Beauty shares its journey since its establishment in 2001. Since opening in 2001 offering nail and tanning services to clients, Mayfair Aesthetics & Beauty has developed and grown its business…
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Without an artistic background, East London-based tech, Tammy Fontaine, shares that when completing her training in 2006, she never believed she’d have the patience for nail art. “Nail art didn’t come naturally to me,” she remembers. “I trained in basic manicures and pedicures at college, gaining my NVW Level 2…
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With a background in finance and a BA Honours in Business Management, Jo Simpson’s passion for nails and nail art remained as a hobby until 2019, when a serious infection led her to re-evaluate. “I had a long recovery and a few stays in hospital, which really made me reflect,”…
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Following the success of the opening of its first UK venue in Manchester, Phenix Salon Suites expands its franchise with the unveiling of its Birmingham site for self-employed beauty professionals. Covering 6,400 square feet, the workspace features a custom-built mezzanine floor, an exclusive colour bar, air conditioning in each suite,…
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