TECHS & SALONS
Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2025 shares secrets to nail industry success
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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Norwich nail tech: finding success with a rare neurological condition
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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Step inside the nail salon & academy by the sea on the Isle of Wight
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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Scratch chats to Jenny Boylan of Jenny Boylan Nail Artist about working abroad and opening her own salon… I trained in a beauty academy in Drogheda County Louth. I trained in acrylic and gel enhancements, gel polish and fibreglass. After college, I continued to do add on courses. I did…
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Maci Parry began her nail journey in April 2020, and the 18-year-old opened her salon in July of the same year. “It has been tough journey to say the least. I felt that every time I was building up a clientele and getting into the groove of things I was…
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Scratch chats to Anna-Lena Pickel of Ena about expressing herself through nail art and mental health… My training is the typical pandemic nail tech story. In Winter 2020, I got my certificate for manicure and gel manicure at Nails Pro Academy. It also started to become my therapy, my creative…
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Olivia Grace Lovatt and her husband initially started their garage conversion with the intention of making it a playroom for their children. After working for her sister since 2005, she realised she wanted to spend more time at home. “My husband said if I wanted to spend more time at…
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Scratch chats to Burnley and Blackburn based tech, Jess Swinburn of Beauty by Jess, about being featured in her local news and the importance of utilising social media for business… I love everything about the nail industry. I did art as an A-Level, and have always had a creative side,…
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After running her salon in the high street of Driffield town centre between 2011 and 2017, Diane Wilson moved her salon to her summerhouse. “I was an A level teacher, but a horrific car accident put me in a wheelchair, so that was when I changed career to the nail…
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