SUN, SHOOTS & A STAR

Esteemed nail artist & Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry winner 2024, Kirsty Meakin, shares the story behind this month’s striking cover image, which was captured in the Sunshine State

Globally renowned nail artist, Kirsty Meakin, hails from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, known as ‘the creative city’. It’s apt, considering Kirsty’s colourful career achievements and enviable capabilities with nail products. The educator, influencer & brand owner boasts 258K Instagram followers and has countless achievements under her belt, with her most recent accolades including the prestigious Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award, and an entry into the Scratch Stars Hall of Fame for her social media prowess.

Kirsty’s energy is contagious and her passion is magnetic. She has enveloped members of the nail industry – or her ‘duckies’, as she endearingly calls them, with her upbeat personality. So, it’s no surprise that this month’s cover, with nails by Kirsty, has a show-stealing story behind it.

“The cover photoshoot took place at the Rise of Nails and Rise of Hair events in Tampa, Florida, in August,” Kirsty tells Scratch. “These were powered by booking app, Booksy – for which I am an ambassador, and presented by hair styling icon, Byrd Mena. The events also incorporated the Booksy X Live Fashion Awards, where the achievements of nail artists, barbers and hair pros were recognised.

“It’s important to stay true to yourself and create nails that you love.”

“I created nail designs for a photoshoot and fashion show taking place, and the brief: ‘ethereal and grunge’, was given to me by hairdresser, Kimberley Ibbotson. Other than wanting the inclusion of bright colours, iridescent hues and silver and black accents, Kimberley gave me free rein on the theme, trusting that I would deliver cool creations.”

Prior to the photoshoot, Kirsty crafted the nail designs over four days, creating seven designs for the five models. She used a combination of products from her namesake brand, including acrygel, gel polish, Jelly Gloss Top Coats and Liquid Chrome. The pro was assisted by Kaylee Miller of Killer Claws, Stoke-on-Trent, and Kamila Borowiec of @glamliciousnails, a Kirsty Meakin ambassador & Scratch Stars Social Media Star of the Year 2024. “Not having a strict brief allowed me to get creative, and I enjoyed seeing the designs evolve as I worked,” Kirsty explains. “I used the coin method: where models send a photo of their hands next to a coin, to size the press-ons accordingly, but also created 16 of each design to ensure I had nails to fit.”

With an aim to achieve a ‘powerful piece of art’, Kirsty expresses her joy at the results of the photoshoot, in particular the embodiment of the brief. “The images are vibrant, edgy and project a strong energy,” she smiles. “This is my favourite collaboration to date, as looking at the images, I appreciate how important it is to have each full look nailed. If you remove either the hair, wardrobe or nail styling, the looks wouldn’t work. The collaboration of artists made such powerful imagery possible; the photos are works of art.

I would like to contribute to more shoots, because the dopamine hit is like no other.

“I’m even more ecstatic to have an image from the photoshoot chosen as the cover of Scratch,” Kirsty continues. “After all, it is the Vogue of the nail world! Being able to showcase talent and creativity to readers is awesome.” It’s a fitting time to do this after the nail artist’s Services to the Nail Industry win at The Scratch Stars Party in July: an award that recognises a significant contribution to the nail sector over a minimum of five years.

“This year’s Scratch Stars Party was the best yet,” Kirsty beams. “I was quite emotional on the night, as I have been a finalist in the Services to the Nail Industry category three times – and after remaining dedicated to elevating the sector, I took the title! I was so shocked and overjoyed, and feel that my hard work has been recognised. I love the Scratch Stars Awards, as the categories represent and value nail techs and businesses in the UK and Ireland.”

Kirsty notes that her win demonstrates one of the lessons that her career has taught her: perseverance is key. “It’s also important to stay true to yourself and create nails that you love: not nails that just make you money,” she adds. “If you only chase money, you will not fulfil your career goals. Enjoy your nail journey and look after your mental health at the same time.”

So what’s next for Kirsty Meakin? “I aim to continue raising the profile of the nail industry through education, and the offering of high-quality, safe nail products,” she details. “Nail artists change people’s lives, inspire and support others and share a wealth of knowledge, but seem to be the last to be recognised in the beauty arena. I hope that as a nail community, we can raise the standards of education in the UK. I want the UK to dominate the global nail market – and invite all duckies to achieve this with me!”

“The collaboration of artists made such powerful imagery possible; the photos are works of art.”