Through the Keyhole

Take a peek inside salon setups across the UK&I as Scratch unlocks each door

Katie Lou Nail Artist and Educator

Location: Tamworth, Staffordshire

During her 20-year nail career, Katie Pritchard has worked on a mobile basis, rented a chair and owned a salon. Last year, she decided that working from a home setup would best suit the needs of her family. “I opened a salon at the bottom of my garden, which my husband built within three months, and welcomed my first clients on New Year’s Eve 2024,” Katie shares.

“I love that I can offer clients my undivided attention, plus my commute is short,” she smiles. “I am also able to spend more time with my family and my mental health has improved.” But it’s not just her own wellbeing that Katie’s business benefits, as she strives to make each client feel comfortable and relaxed. “I play ‘90s music to create a feel-good energy, and there’s even the option to cuddle my dog, Phoenix,” she says.

The pro welcomes clients into her garden cabin, which boasts a chic pink and cream interior with floral and gold accents. They can then choose from builder gel and gel polish services with Hara Professional products, hard gel and full cover extension treatments using Nail Order, or L&P acrylic manicures using CJP Nail Systems. “I have worked with Hara Professional products for around 10 years and been an ambassador since 2021,” Katie reveals. “The brand is available in an Aston & Fincher store close to my house, which is very convenient. I have been a Nail Order fan since its launch in 2020, and find its products reliable and easy to work with.”

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Nina Nicholson Beauty

Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester

Nina Nicholson opened her first salon at the age of 18, and went on to acquire a larger premises a few years later. After running the bustling business for 14 years, the pro felt a change was in order. “I made the difficult decision to close the salon, scale things back and start working from home to gain a better work-life balance,” she explains. “I built a salon at the side of my house, and the space is a hit with my clients, neighbours, family and friends.”

Nina notes that the career move has allowed her the freedom to seek new opportunities and design the salon of her dreams. “I’ve created a chic and relaxed space for clients, and the interior is homely yet professional-looking,” she shares. “The outside is in keeping with the rest of my property, but inside is designed to be different to my house: painted in white with cosy additions.”

The talented tech is Lecenté’s lead educator and uses the brand for her nail services, which comprise natural manicures and gel polish, builder gel and hard gel overlays. A range of lash and brow treatments are also available. “I cannot praise the quality of Lecenté products and the brand’s level of service enough, hence why I joined its education team,” Nina says. “I am also in the process of creating my own courses and workshops, which excites me.”