TECHS & SALONS

BFLY salon in Derby

The Derby beauty salon where clients & staff are ‘one big family’

By Jess Watts | 24 August 2025

Meet Holly Asamoah, owner of BFLY – the beauty salon creating a home from home. BFLY, located two miles south of Derby city centre, was converted from a tattoo parlour to a luxurious relaxation hub in 2024, spearheaded by owner, Holly Asamoah. The salon space is reflective of Holly’s preferred…

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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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Ruth munro lockdown

5 ways I’m preparing for my nail salon to reopen post-lockdown

By Scratch Staff | 14 January 2021

Ruth Munro, Magpie Beauty educator for Scotland and owner of Little Blank Spaces, reveals how she has been using her free time during the Covid-19 lockdown to prepare for the eventual reopening of her business… Beauticians are not allowed to return to work in the UK yet because we can’t…

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Salon in the Spotlight: Sadie’s, Worcester

By Kat Hill | 14 January 2021

Decorated in on-trend shades of blush pink and deep green, Sadie Branson’s setup sees a chic workspace to greet clients. “My studio is located in my old childhood bedroom in my parent’s house,” Sadie states. “The salon certainly did not start out looking how it does now: I started off…

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What is an influencer? | The Beauty Bloggers

By Guest Writer | 13 January 2021

The Beauty Bloggers, aka Natalie Thompson & Rachel Jenkinson, evaluates the role of an influencer in the beauty sphere… Nat and Rach are ‘The Beauty Bloggers‘ and have over 21 years experience in the beauty sector between them. Their aim is to discuss real issues that beauty professionals face. Passionate…

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At home gel polish

Why you shouldn’t use an at-home gel polish kit

By Katie Barnes | 13 January 2021

Salon owner, educator and award-winning nail stylist, Katie Barnes, unveils concerns surrounding DIY gel polish kits… Gel polish seems like an easy to use, harmless product – surely, it’s just like painting on a nail polish, isn’t it? Well, this is the attitude that is causing problems amongst some non-professionals, as they…

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Thanh vu dream nails 1200

How I navigate my 4 London nail salons & staff through lockdown

By Guest Writer | 13 January 2021

Hi Scratch readers, My name is Thanh Vu and I guess I fall into the stereotypical Vietnamese nail technician. I run Dream Nails, a nail and beauty salon business, which consists of four nail salons in the Essex/East London corridor. I have been in the nail industry for 15 years…

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Millie d web feature

How I cope as a nail tech in a national lockdown

By Guest Writer | 12 January 2021

Scratch chats to Millie Donovan, brand ambassador for SNA Professional & owner of MBeauty, about how she’s navigating lockdowns… This year has been a rollercoaster for everyone, with both highs and lows. There have been more highs for some and more lows for others, but the main thing is how we all got…

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