Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Emma B, Haddenham, Cambridgeshire

By Callie Iley | 4 May 2023

After achieving her dreams when transforming her garage into a tranquil salon space, Emma Blakeman shares her love of providing a personal, one-to-one service to clients at Nails by Emma B in Haddenham, Cambridgeshire. Emma began her training in 2015 with The Beauty Academy in Cambridge, following the birth of…

Nail Tech Talk: Tayla-Rose McBride of TaylasDream

By Callie Iley | 29 April 2023

Freehand artist, Tayla-Rose McBride, shares the motivation behind swapping tattoo ink & needles for gel products & brushes. Pontypool-based nail stylist, Tayla-Rose McBride, has been a vivid dreamer with an interest in art for as long as she can remember. The former tattoo artist has, in recent years, used her…

Meet The World’s Star Nail Artist shortlist: GEMMA DAWSON, UK

By Scratch Staff | 26 April 2023

Gemma Dawson is a nail pro from Essex, UK, and one of the 21 shortlisted applicants in The World’s Star Nail Artist competition 2023. Get to know her… What’s your background in nails? I entered the nail industry while on maternity leave with my first baby in 2016. I had…

Nail Tech Talk: Nancy Porter of Nails by Nancy

By Callie Iley | 22 April 2023

Taking the leap into nails at 57 years old, Nancy Porter left her life in Dubai and her career as a nurse behind to pursue a new profession as a nail technician. Using her knowledge from her career in nursing to enhance her services and harnessing her childhood love for…

Nail Tech Talk: Amy Skillicorn of Nails By Amy

By Callie Iley | 15 April 2023

Nail artist, Amy Skillicorn of Nails By Amy, shares her love for natural and minimalistic nail looks, and reveals her plans for the future of her business… “I love all types of different of nail designs, but I definitely have a favourite,” Amy laughs. “My favourite style would have to…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Beauty Hut, Norfolk

By Callie Iley | 13 April 2023

Sister duo, Martina and Yvette Parent, opened the doors to The Beauty Hut in July 2021 in memory of their mother, Linda Parent, who they lost to Covid in June 2020. “This business means everything to us and we’re trying our hardest to make it successful for our mum,” they…

Nail Tech Talk: Yasmin Hodge of Gels by Yas 

By Callie Iley | 8 April 2023

Lover of detailed, hand-painted nail designs, Wolverhampton-based Yasmin Hodge of Gels by Yas takes a stand against the stigma she’s faced as a disabled nail tech, opening up about her experiences in the industry. Regularly painting her own nails with polish or getting her nails done professionally, Yas decided to…

Salon in the Spotlight: Nails by Kerry, Dublin

By Callie Iley | 6 April 2023

With an eye-catching pink and gold salon hand built by her late father, passionate tech Kerry Delaney has had a lifelong love for nails, qualifying at only 15 years old. Kerry’s nail journey began with her Christmas list at five years old, requesting nail products as gifts. She celebrated her…

Top 21 revealed in first World’s Star Nail Artist competition

By Helena Biggs | 1 April 2023

In an overwhelming display of talent and enthusiasm for their craft, nail pros worldwide embraced a creative challenge and entered The World’s Star Nail Artist, a new competition for 2023 brought to the industry by Scratch. The mission is clear: to recognise and reward global nail artists, push the boundaries…

Salon in the Spotlight: Boheme Beauty, Broxbourne

By Callie Iley | 30 March 2023

A fan of low-key nail looks and dainty designs, Jennifer Oatham styled her salon to match; with a minimalist aesthetic, neutral shades and a fresh, tidy finish. “I keep all of my products in drawers to ensure the salon is clutter-free. My clients always comment on how chilled they feel…

Nail Tech Talk: Lauren Mitchell of Phenomenail Wales

By Callie Iley | 25 March 2023

After leaving her job as a horse riding instructor due to a life-changing diagnosis of an invisible illness, Lauren Mitchell of Phenomenail Wales opens up about how becoming a nail technician helped her regain confidence and purpose. “I had acute onset Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, known as IIH, so I went…

Salon in the Spotlight: Shara Lise Nail Designer, Bristol

By Lorna Brown | 23 March 2023

Determined to continue to pursue her dreams of being a professional nail artist despite her battle with cancer, luxury manicurist and acrylic specialist, Shara Lise Taylor, shares the story of her salon and nail journey. Qualifying in 2017, Shara has continued to hone her skills as a nail tech with…

The importance of rules & questions in nail competitions

By Guest Writer | 23 March 2023

Every nail competition has its own set of rules, and rules can change from year to year. Ensuring that you read the rules and understand them perfectly is an imperative part of the competing process, whether you are new to competitions or a seasoned pro, shares multi award-winning nail aficionado,…

Nail Tech Talk: Jamy Deniran of JamyGelz

By Callie Iley | 18 March 2023

Lover of all things pink & sparkly, Jamiyla Deniran, known as Jamy, shares an insight into her life working from a tattoo studio in Hackney & reveals her plans for her future in nails Jamy’s nail journey began as a teenager when she began recreating nail art she had seen online.…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Nail Shed, Bolton

By Callie Iley | 16 March 2023

Long-time nail fanatic, Sarah Rushworth, struggled to find time to translate her passion into a career, in between working two jobs and raising a family. However, in November 2018, she decided to buy a garden shed and convert it into a nail studio, ahead of her nail training the following…