POLISHING up in plaid

Scratch shines a spotlight on Scottish nail brands & techs in celebration of Burns Night on 25 January

What is Burns Night?

Burns Night is a celebration of the life and work of poet & lyricist, Robert Burns. Arguably one of Scotland’s most notable figures, Burns was born in late January 1759, with 25 January chosen to mark Burns Night. Scots often commemorate the occasion with a cèilidh (social event with dancing) and a supper, where they enjoy a traditional fare of haggis, neeps and tatties. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s creative legacy.

Becki Menzies

Becki Menzies

“If anyone from outside Scotland asks me, I say I’m from Glasgow, but for the Scottish folk reading this, I’m actually from Livingston,” smiles Becki Menzies. The nail pro lived in Scotland for 28 years before moving to East London in 2023, where she now works within tattoo space, Soteria Studios.

The creative got her first professional manicure in her late teens, and enjoyed experimenting with art on her nails while studying History & Politics at university. “I discovered that I was quite good at nail art, so my friends let me practice on them,” she shares. “It was 2019 when nail tech, @gallusnails, took me under her wing and showed me how to paint flames and smiley faces on nails: two big trends at the time. In February 2020, I enrolled on my first nail course.” Becki navigated lockdown before finding a role in July 2020 at LQ Nails & Beauty, Glasgow. “I worked there for a year and a half before moving to my own studio, then to another studio and back home again. Finally, I settled in London.”

Making moves

“If you ask almost any creative person in Glasgow if they’ve thought about moving to London, they’ll probably say they have,” Becki shares. “I have so much respect for the people making Glasgow a flourishing creative city despite numerous challenges, such as the government cutting Creative Scotland funding, a volatile housing crisis and lack of community spaces. I love London and am making a name for myself as a self-employed tech in the city, but I miss Scotland. I miss the hills, clean air and fresh water; the patter and the interactions you have on the street in Scotland that I don’t think you get anywhere else. And I miss being able to buy a crispy roll and square sausage for less than a fiver.”

Becki describes her style as unconventional, with nails inspired by ‘the beautifully imperfect forms found in nature: rock pools, precious stones, flesh and bones – or the absurd and mystical, such as a sylkie in a secret cave, mould growing in a rented flat and even spaghetti hoops’. “I find the most fun in creating art on nails that isn’t inspired by other nail designs,” she shares. “I have learned so much about myself, as a member of the creative nail community, and I can call myself an artist without feeling like an imposter.”

Heritage

What does Becki love most about her Scottish heritage? “Probably that Scots are the funniest folk on the planet – and modest, of course! Scotland is a beautiful, rugged country, and its charm is something I think I infuse into my nail styles more since moving to London,” she reveals. “I long for the close proximity I had to nature and have become more interested in the folklore of Scotland since I left.”

@holdmyhand.hmh

BECKI’S BURNS SUPPER NAILS

“The idea for these nails came to me late at night, several days before I hosted a Burns Night celebration. As a Scot in London, I miss Tennent’s, so thought it would be fun to create a 3D nail design featuring the lager and a Burns supper,” Becki shares. “It took five days to create the style and I really enjoyed it, but was nervous to post pictures on social media. “I recorded myself reciting Robbie Burns’ Address Ti’ A Haggis poem over a video of the nails and worried that it was cringeworthy, but was overwhelmed by the response from followers. It was the first time I felt I had made a bit of ‘art’. I miss the parts of Scotland that I didn’t appreciate at the time: frolicking in the hills and exploring the islands. I miss my hometown, family and friends, so I guess these nails were a love letter to my motherland.”

Karen M. Brown & Gelica Gel

Karen M. Brown

Award-winning nail technician & entrepreneur, Karen M. Brown, launched Gelica Gel in 2015: proudly naming it after Gaelic, Scotland’s founding language. “With a career built on artistry and expertise, I created Gelica to provide nail technicians with a range of professional-quality products, designed to inspire creativity and deliver exceptional results,” Karen shares. “The product line includes builder gel, gel polish, acrylic powders, monomers, brushes, nail art essentials and more, and training is provided across the UK and Ireland via The Beauty Boss Academy.”

Karen works both as brand founder and a practicing nail tech from Stirling-based salon, Sanctuary. “For 13 years, my team and I have served a loyal clientele with creativity and care,” she says. “My hands-on role in the salon means I use Gelica products every day in my work, and I confidently recommend the brand as one built by a professional for professionals.”

Location, location

Stirling is steeped in history and culture, known as the ‘gateway to the Highlands’. Karen comments: “The city boasts landmarks including Stirling Castle: an epic venue that has hosted high-profile events such as the Dressed To Kilt fashion showcase, and celebrations of Scottish and global design. This blend of history and modern creativity aligns perfectly with Gelica’s ethos of honouring tradition, while embracing innovation.

“The city’s cobbled streets, historic architecture and breathtaking surroundings offer endless inspiration for nail designs. Whether it’s the soft light over the Ochil Hills or the vibrant community spirit, Stirling has a charm that fuels creativity and pride, and Gelica products enable nail technicians to craft stunning looks that pay homage to Scottish heritage.”

The Scottish nail sector

“Scotland’s nail industry is dynamic, creative and growing,” Karen shares. “Nail professionals here combine artistry with technical expertise, catering to a clientele that values personalisation and quality. The sector is also embracing innovation, with new techniques and trends reshaping the way we think about nails. It’s exciting to be part of this vibrant community and to contribute through Gelica’s products and education programmes, which are expanding across the country.

“Celebrating Scotland’s legacy involves channelling that creativity and spirit into my work every day. And of course, there’s nothing quite like raising a glass of Irn Bru to toast our unique culture!”

www.gelicagel.com

@karenmbrownnailartist

@karenthenailtech

Nail Order

Bekka Costello

Husband and wife duo, Chris and Bekka Costello, launched Nail Order in July 2020 with cuticle oil pens in five scents, a hand sanitiser and a few items of merchandise. “We started the company while our salon was closed due to the pandemic, as lockdown gave us the time and focus to commence the project,” shares Bekka. “A year later, we introduced our full cover tip range, Xtensions, and our business changed. The system was so popular that we sold out of starter kits within six days of launch. Less than a year later, we launched a gel polish range, and continue to innovate.”

Nail Order HQ is in Paisley, just outside of Glasgow, and the team has grown to 20, working across the warehouse, marketing and content creation, IT, graphic design, customer service, training, finance and product development. The team comments: “We are proud to be Scottish, as Scottish people are known for being innovators.

Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone; John Logie Baird, inventor of the first television set, and Alexander Flemming, inventor of penicillin, all had roots in Scotland – and we like to think of ourselves as innovators, too!”

The team notes that the only thing they don’t like about living in Scotland is the weather, however the country’s natural beauty has inspired a number of Nail Order products. They share: “Our best-selling gel polish, Fairy Pool, is named after the famous Scottish fairy pools found in the Isle of Skye. For those brave enough to visit, we recommend taking a plunge in the ice-cold water said to bless you with eternal beauty.

“During your visit to Scotland, don’t forget to head to Paisley and visit our wee trade shop for a chinwag and some shopping.”

Our favourite Scottish phrases:

“Haud yer wheesht.” – “Be quiet.” “Gie it LALDY.” – “Giving it your all.” “Aye.” – “Yes.” “Naw.” – “No.”

www.nailorder.co.uk

/jointhenailorder

@nailorder

@ nailorder

@nailorder

Keysie

Brian & Gregor Eadie

Gregor & Sarah

Handy nail-saving brand, Keysie, launched in the summer of 2018, courtesy of product design business, Eadie Bros & Co Ltd, based in Selkirk. The family firm was founded by Peter Eadie and his brothers, James and Robert, in 1871, and produced components for the textile (spinning) industry. It survived more than 100 years before being sold to an overseas competitor, who then changed its name. “I decided to revive the name in 2017,” shares descendent, Brian Eadie, a consultant product designer. “I used the original sign from outside the factory in Paisley on my own workshop and office in Selkirk.”

It was Brian’s youngest son, Gregor, who conceived the idea for Keysie: a product that saves the integrity of nails by assisting with fiddly tasks, such as opening cans, parcels, picture frames and finding the ends of tape. “In 2018, my partner, Sarah, and I were coming towards the end of our time at university and moving flats a lot – so were taking keys on and off keyrings on a regular basis,” Gregor explains. “I found it sore and challenging to keep changing keyrings, so thought it would be useful to have a small tool to help with this task.”

Unsure how the tool would look, Gregor consulted his father, who has been a product designer & engineer for 50 years, and within one week, they created a design and prototype for Keysie. “The initial reaction was incredibly positive, with people instantly recognising the problems and appreciating a simple solution,” Gregor continues. “This led us to think of the possible commercial avenues that we could pursue with the product, including the nail industry.

“We knew that being able to brand or personalise the product would be a big attraction. The top end of Keysie functions as a trolley token, and the tool clips neatly onto keyrings. It’s the perfect retail item for clients to help protect their fresh manicures, and Keysie is available in a variety of colours and patterns.

“We love working within a vibrant manufacturing hub for product design and production, and our goals for the year ahead are to get Keysie into the hands of as many nail pros as possible worldwide, so their customers can continue to save their nails.”

www.keysie.co/shop

/keysieco

@keysieco

Sammy MacDonald

Sammy MacDonald

‘Sammy Mac’ celebrates her 40th birthday this year, and has accomplished incredible feats during her time in the nail industry. She began her journey as a teenager, attending Aberdeen College part-time alongside working in a local nail salon, and now owns four salons of her own across the North East of Scotland.

“I completed a CND™ master qualification and my love for nails was cemented,” Sammy shares. “After a few years, I was headhunted by a national brand to run its training, recruitment and help them open over 20 stores throughout the UK within Debenham branches. I completed my educator training with OPI, which involved a lot of travel, but gave this up when I fell pregnant.” Following this, Sammy embarked on a self-employment journey: renting a space in a hair salon, before developing her own brand and business. She now runs Heritage Salons and is working with OPI again as a freelance educator & session stylist.

Salon success

The flagship Heritage Salon opened in 2016 and is 3,000sqft. Located in the heart of Aberdeen, it is close to transport links and boasts a private client car park. “The second branch opened three years later in Bridge of Don and has a cosy, friendly vibe,” Sammy reveals. “Shortly after this opening, the Heritage brand was asked to offer treatments within the Trump International golf resort to VIP clients, and demand was so great that we were invited to move into the five-star venue on a permanent basis. This has been a huge honour.” Last year, Sammy opened Heritage Inverurie, a salon in a bustling town centre with cool country vibes.

“The majority of our clients are very traditional, and choose classic nail looks that are chic and sophisticated,” Sammy continues. “The clients are friendly and love to chat – or moan about the awful local weather!”

Family matters

Sammy credits her dad’s side of her family for helping her embrace her Scottish heritage. “I have learned so many recipes and lingo from my grandparents, and love celebrating Scottish traditions,” she shares. “The North East of Scotland is very cold and windy, but it’s beautiful and has my heart. From the local cuisine to the friendly people, it’s a place worth visiting.”

Sammy hopes to use her success to support fellow salon owners, while continuing to work closely with the OPI team and embrace session work.

www.sammymacdonald.com / www.heritagesalons.com

/sammyjaymacdonald

@s.a.m.m.y.m.a.c & @nailsbysammymac

House of NAF!

Tammy Koslowski

Glasgow-based House of NAF! is the umbrella company of the multi award-winning NAF! Salon, NAF! School and hand and skincare product lines, NAF! Stuff and NAF! Professionals. Founded by manicurist, Tammy Koslowski in 2015, NAF! has become a renowned destination for clients seeking high-quality beauty services, products and education, and is instantly recognisable via its bold, quirky and spirited aesthetic.

“I hail from a small town between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and chose to move to Glasgow for its vibrancy,” shares Tammy. “It was the perfect place to open the NAF! salon, academy and product headquarters, because businesses are championed by the local community, and Glasgow’s people really support one another. The city’s motto is ‘People Make Glasgow’, and it’s true.”

House of NAF! is located at the edge of the city centre, on a historical street, within a sandstone townhouse with original features. “The different parts of NAF! ran quite separately before we moved into the building,” Tammy continues. “Rebranding as a beauty, wellness and retail space made the business feel more cohesive. It’s been amazing and fun to bring our communities together and be a hub for beauty brands to connect with their Scottish audiences.”

Patriotism & prowess

NAF! Salon is in the Scratch Stars Awards Hall of Fame for its social media prowess, and scooped the Scratch Stars Nail Salon of the Year title in 2017 and 2019.

“Our brand is Scottish through and through, and has been influenced by our team, clients and customers,” Tammy shares. “The NAF! Stuff autumn/winter 2024 cuticle oils were inspired by our Scottish heritage and welcomed three scents: Bramble, Fireside and Gingerbread, which are an ode to cosy, nostalgic autumn and winter evenings. I built the collection around the feeling of sitting by a crackling fire in a pub on a cold winter day, and I designed custom tartans for the labels of each scent.”

“The weather in Glasgow may be bleak, but Glaswegians have an inbuilt humour and honest attitude which is reflected in House of NAF!”

www.houseofnaf.com @houseofnaf

“Our brand is Scottish through and through, and has been influenced by our team, clients and customers.”