Salon in the Spotlight: Nails With Kails, Andover, Hampshire

By Rebecca Hitchon | 9 May 2024

Kayleigh Watkins shares the story behind her home salon business, Nails With Kails: a space infused with personality and creativity… While facing redundancy from her full-time job in 2019, Kayleigh undertook some nail courses with Magpie Beauty. “I wanted to find a creative and therapeutic outlet, as well as future-proof…

5 ways to boost your beauty salon team’s morale

By Scratch Staff | 5 May 2024

Do you and your team members need a morale boost? Scratch gathers expert tips to support positivity in the workspace… 1. Lead by example “Salon owners can establish a cohesive team by leading by example,” advises Lisa Stone, educator at professional beauty brand, Salon System. “You cannot expect your team…

Townhouse nail salon announces US expansion

By Helena Biggs | 4 May 2024

Multi award-winning salon brand, Townhouse, has announced its first premises outside of the UK: in Beverly Hills, California. The female-founded destination for luxury nailcare has scooped three Scratch Stars Awards for Nail Salon of the Year, and boasts 40 setups in the UK. The first US salon will open on…

Salon in the Spotlight: Nail Angel Studley, Warwickshire

By Rebecca Hitchon | 2 May 2024

Bringing a creative flair to her West Midlands home salon, Anni Watson shares how she’s incorporated her artistic background and love for upcycling into Nail Angel Studley… “While starting a family over 20 years ago, I decided to qualify in nails. I always wanted to use my artistic talents, as…

Salon in the Spotlight: Samantha Laura Nails, Newport, Shropshire

By Rebecca Hitchon | 25 April 2024

After her nail technician changed careers, Samantha Gripton was left missing her monthly treat of a gel polish manicure and was inspired to create her summerhouse studio, Samantha Laura Nails. “I used all of my savings to renovate the summerhouse in my back garden,” Samantha tells Scratch. “I invested in…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Apothecary Room, Halifax, West Yorkshire

By Callie Iley | 18 April 2024

Transforming a plain grey office space into a moody maximalist nail studio carefully curated with curiosities, oddities and antiques, April Kitson wanted to reflect a dark academia aesthetic through her salon décor. “My personal style is heavily influenced by Stevie Nicks and Morticia Addams, so I’ve used vintage and thrifted…

Salon in the Spotlight: Eleven Kings, Royston

By Callie Iley | 11 April 2024

Explore Eleven Kings salon as Jess Dickerson discusses its pink and green colour scheme and reveals her future plans in the beauty industry… Despite not enjoying doing her own nails, Jess loved the idea of styling others’ nails. In October 2021, she enrolled in training with Next Step Beauty via…

Salon in the Spotlight: The Studio, Doncaster

By Callie Iley | 4 April 2024

Creating a tranquil salon space in The Studio, Doncaster, for her clients to unwind, find out about Lian Davey’s neutral décor choices and the vibes she hopes to create… Having worked in the law sector since her teens, Lian entered the beauty industry after the birth of her son, enrolling…

Nail Tech Talk: Rosie Leek of Nice Girl Nails

By Callie Iley | 3 April 2024

Rosie Leek of Nice Girl Nails, Wolverhampton, shares her sources of inspiration for her eye-catching nail art and reveals how her pink palace nail salon ties to her personality… Recalling a love for nail art from a young age, Rosie Leek highlights airbrush looks and Tumblr-trending crackle nails as old favourites.…

Salon in the Spotlight: JR Beauty, Cheshire

By Scratch Staff | 30 March 2024

Jessica Roach had a double celebration on her 30th birthday, as it not only marked a milestone, but she attained a nail qualification with LIT Training Academy to turn her nail styling hobby into a career. The creative found enjoyment in painting her nails during lockdown, and while on maternity…

Salon in the Spotlight: KHAOS Nail Bar, Ross-on-Wye

By Callie Iley | 21 March 2024

Having worked at a previous premises alongside one another, KHAOS Nail Bar co-owner trio, Georgie, Jess and Niamh, outgrew the space and set out to create a salon brand of their own. “Georgie came up with the name,” they remember. “After that, we decided to follow suit and go mental…

Nail pros: Here’s how changing your mindset can help you earn £3-5k a month

By Jo Tompkins | 14 March 2024

What do you do for a living? “I just do nails.” I was never interested in nails and beauty when I was younger. In fact, I bit my nails until I was 25! I was embarrassed by them though, and finally managed to (sort of) kick the habit. And that’s…

Revealed: Nail salons are the most common beauty business in the UK

By Rebecca Hitchon | 12 March 2024

Research from Money.co.uk Business has revealed the most common beauty trades across the UK. Analysing the type of beauty businesses that are most frequent in 20 of the UK’s biggest cities, the findings show that nail salons are the most common across the UK – with 2,106 salons recorded. Nail…

Nail Tech Talk: Kimberley Hearn of byKIMI Nails

By Callie Iley | 9 March 2024

Seeking a career that offers flexibility around her family, Kimberley Hearn of byKIMI Nails shares her journey of establishing her nail business around her three children. Kim spent eight years working in the car industry, but was furloughed for 10 months during the pandemic, followed by maternity leave with her…

Salon in the Spotlight: Nini’s, Portrush NI

By Callie Iley | 7 March 2024

On a visit to her wife’s native town of Portrush, Northern Ireland, in Easter 2022, an empty premises beside the sea caught Naoise McGeer-Letson’s eye. Formerly a hairdressers, the original shop had closed due to the pandemic and remained empty since, until it was transformed into Nini’s salon. Moving from…