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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Read the latest issue
Treating the Salon’s BIG CANVAS aka WALLS Deciding on the polish or the art your client wants to put on her nails can be a tough decision at times. Similarly, having different options available, can get one confused when deciding on how to cover the bigger salon canvas AKA its…
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Starting out part-time, offering evening appointments alongside her office job, Rachel Enriles dreamt of owning her own salon space. “My career started around six years ago when I set out with a few gel polish shades and a lamp,” she smiles. “I decided I wanted a more permanent base so…
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Scratch chats to Lauren Adams of Get Nailed By Lau about her future goals and how she created this summery Hawaiian floral nail art design… I’ve always loved doing my own nails, as well as the nails of friends and family members. During the pandemic, I was furloughed from my…
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Scratch chats to Gemma Anne Dawson of Gem’s Gels and Glitters about her training and the importance of developing new skills as a nail tech… My journey in nails only really happened in 2016. Before then, I worked in a university teaching statistical analysis to undergraduate students. I’d always studied…
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Scratch chats to Stephanie Connolly of Nailed it! Nails by Steph about dealing with self doubt and her advice for aspiring nail techs… My favourite all time nail product is my complete Kokoist USA gel collection as they are so pigmented and apply beautifully. I’m a massive nail art fan…
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Shelby Holmes, co-founder of The Beauty Edit Podcast & Scratch Stars Awards Gel Polish Stylist of the Year finalist 20/21, shares her thoughts on imix, the hands-free mixing device for gel polish & lacquer… “I love everything about imix. I have been looking for a mixing system for a while…
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