Rising Up

As Scratch celebrates its 21st birthday & the 20th anniversary of sister brand, Nailympia, it presents two front cover images featuring bold, phoenix-inspired styling. ALEX FOX chats to the talent behind the looks

This month, Scratch celebrates its 21st birthday, and another successful year of nail communication.

Established in 2003, Scratch has become synonymous with offering informative, educational and inspiring content for nail professionals. With a solid reputation in the global nail sector, Scratch’s bold house style and colourful yet thoughtful, sympathetic and cutting edge journalism elevates industry standards, while fostering creativity and innovation.

Driven by an inherent passion for the nail industry, the Scratch team provides unparalleled industry knowledge and insightful content, making it an essential resource for professionals and brands alike. Leveraging 21 years of expertise, Scratch utilises innovative marketing strategies to connect professionals with products, and provides value to both emerging and established industry players through its digital platforms, competitions, events and pages.

To celebrate its milestone alongside the 20th anniversary of its sister brand, Nailympia, Scratch presents two award-winning cover nail artists, whose imagery is promoting Nailympia locations for 2024 across the globe. Let’s get to know them…

ÉVA PÁSZTONÉ

Facebook: /evaprofessionalnails

Instagram: @evaprofessionalnails

Hailing from Hungary, Éva Pásztoné delved into the intricate world of manicure and nail styling through personal curiosity and a passion for grooming her nails. Fascinated by the detailed and creative possibilities within the profession, Éva embarked on a path that would lead her to become a celebrated medallist and figure in the nail industry.

One of the pivotal moments in her career to date came when she triumphed at Nailympia London 2023 in the Extreme Nail Styling Poster competition. Noting that the victory wasn’t just about the silver medal she received in Division 3, Éva states: “It was also the validation it brought me in recognition of my hard work, dedication and passion for nails.” Winning at this prestigious global championship has not only bolstered Éva’s confidence, but also ‘opened doors to new opportunities both professionally and personally.’

For Éva, nail art is more than a job; it’s a lifestyle. It’s a medium through which she freely expresses her creativity and personality. “My nail designs are a reflection of my unique style and innovative spirit,” she smiles. “I’m constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and am motivated by a desire for continuous challenge and development. I’m committed to honing my craft and inspiring others in the nail world along the way. I believe that with nail art, there’s always room for innovation and improvement.”

Looking to the future, Éva envisions further development, more competition victories and a continued commitment to sharing her knowledge and experience through training. With her goal being to play an active role in the growth of the nail world, Éva is keen to leave an indelible mark on the industry.

On the subject of her cover image, Éva celebrates the team effort that was necessary to complete the photo. “Preparation for this competition was not a solitary endeavour,” she cites. “Everyone in the team contributed their expertise to bring the vision we had to life. Everything, from choosing the right model to collaborating with the make-up artist and photographer, was part of a detailed plan to create this image.

“The process of creating extreme nail posters is complex and time-consuming. From planning and drawing up the idea to the meticulous nail creation process and gathering a team of professionals, it requires weeks of dedication and precision to bring it all to life,” Éva confesses. On this occasion, the hard work paid off in dividends, as a silver medal was awarded alongside the opportunity to have her work displayed across the Nailympia branding for 2024.

Proving that anything is possible, Éva serves as an inspiration to aspiring nail stylists worldwide, as she reminds us that passion, dedication and a touch of creativity can open unexpected doors and herald more success than first imagined.

MELINDA TAMÁS

Facebook: /tamasmela

Instagram: @tamasmela

“Truth be told, I accidentally stumbled into the nail business,” confesses Hungarian nail artist, Melinda Tamás, with a smile. Formerly a professional athlete, she represented the national handball team while pursuing studies in Economics, yet fate intervened with an injury that rerouted Melinda’s life trajectory. “After a brief stint in an office environment at my mother’s suggestion, I ventured into the beauty industry, drawn in by its creative allure,” she shares.

The transition proved serendipitous as Melinda swiftly embraced nail art, having been captivated by its boundless potential for expression.

Fast forward to today, and Melinda stands as a Nailympia 2023 gold medallist in Extreme Poster Nail Styling: a testament to both her talent and tenacity.

Reflecting on the euphoria of her victory, Melinda recalls the awe-inspiring moment of clinching the coveted prize. “The professional recognition is monumental,’ she reveals. “For me, nails transcend mere adornments; they are a canvas for boundless imagination. Each nail is a blank slate, awaiting transformation. My passion for pushing boundaries, and ability to find inspiration in the unconventional, means I relish the challenge of bringing avant-garde visions to life on nails.”

Looking ahead, Melinda envisions a future in which pure artistry takes precedence in the nail industry. “Trends may come and go, but craftsmanship endures,” she asserts. Aspiring to not only compete but also mentor future generations, Melinda remains steadfast in the pursuit of excellence.

Giving credence to her award-winning cover image, Melinda shares: “The phoenix, a symbol of rebirth, mirrored my own journey of resilience, making it an excellent focus and topic for this artistic image. Months of meticulous planning culminated in this portrayal of transformation and renewal on nails.” This process of creation saw each detail meticulously sculpted over a period of months, as Melinda experimented with a myriad of techniques and materials to redefine the boundaries of nail styling, taking nail artistry to new heights.