Excellence through EDUCATION

Get the inside look at HD Nail Artist Academy’s 2025 educator training: three days of learning, inspiration & connection

I arrived at HD Nail Artist Academy HQ on the third and final day of its 2025 educator training event and received a warm welcome. The team is an elite group that has scooped the Scratch Stars Nail Team of the Year title three times, thus entering the awards’ Hall Of Fame. In addition to that enviable achievement, three of its educators sit in the Hall Of Fame for individual accolades. Winning a Scratch Star takes a unique mix of determination, skill and passion: a star quality that is difficult to describe, but simple to spot. Quickly identifiable at the event, which took place 5-7April in Thetford, Norfolk, I strapped myself in for learning, growth and inspiration. Little did I know that my high expectations of the team would be exceeded.

HD Nail Artist Academy was created by multi award-winning pro & founder of the HD Professional Nail Systems brand, Hazel Dixon, embodying her artistic innovation and impeccable standards. The esteemed nail stylist understands that teamwork makes the dream work, and organises an annual, three-day training extravaganza for her brand educators, to ensure the nationwide team is aligned. “It’s important that we come together once a year, to to refine techniques, update product knowledge and share focus points,” Hazel tells Scratch. “We aim to create an event schedule to refresh the skills of long-standing educators and benefit those that have recently joined the collective.”

The event itinerary

Flat 3D acrylic designs the skills of long-standing educators and benefit those that have recently joined the collective.”

“It’s important for the team to get together to connect in person, and be inspired by one another’s creativity.”

l Artist the third and Flat 3D acrylic designs.

The relaunched academy website: www.hazeldixonnailartistacademy.com

The event itinerary

“Day one began with an explanation of HD Nail Artist Academy updates, including our relaunched website and how educators can promote their work on social media,” Hazel continues. “The afternoon focused on dual forms, which the team was excited about, as so much can be achieved with them. On day two, we delved into pink & white competition techniques with Nailympia medallist & educator, Fereida Lydiate. In the afternoon, we explored the flat 3D technique, which jumps on the 3D acrylic and gel design trends, but offers a less bulky and more wearable alternative for clients. The final day introduced educators to HD Professional Nail Systems’ BUILD IT! Pro Fibre X hard gels and how to use them, before concluding with a class on matte velvet design. This technique incorporates ombré, shading and highlighting, while achieving a matte effect.”

Meet the education team

HAZEL DIXON @hazeldixon

CATRIONA LEITH @thenailstudiocb

KAYLEY CAIRNS @nailykayley

FEREIDA LYDIATE @fereidalydiate

KYM MOODY @kymmoody

KAREN NEWMAN @karennewmannails

ANDREA RIMMER @andrearimmernailpro

NICOLA PARKES @toughlovenailco

GEMMA JAY @gemmyjaynails

Kayley Cairns’ dual form creations.

Matte velvet nail designs.

“It was great to focus on new nail techniques and discuss how older techniques still have a place in the industry.”

I note the various preferences of educators and how these are met through the training, highlighting Hazel’s commitment to equipping her team with numerous transferable skills. Co-head of education, Catriona Leith, most enjoyed ‘having the opportunity to learn about and play with dual forms’, while fellow head educator, Kayley Cairns, found joy in ‘revisiting flat 3D design and falling in love with the technique again’. For Nicola Parkes, hard gel sculpting piqued her interest: “It’s not a technique that I often have a chance to practice, but now I feel more confident in my skills,” she reveals.

What strikes me most, though, as I watch the event’s final day develop, is the sharing of ideas. As Fereida Lydiate describes: “Most of us are techs that work alone, but we all have the same love and passion for nails, so when we get together it’s fantastic to divulge our thoughts and focuses.” During my visit, Catriona led the morning session and academy director, Hazel, headed up the afternoon, yet all educators were encouraged to share their tips, helping to create an inspirational and supportive environment for skill development.

This positive atmosphere was also enhanced by the clear bond between the women: one I realised goes beyond nails, as the group tells me about the fun social activities interspersed between learning. These included a meal out, takeaway and competitive card game of ‘spoons’! “We worked really hard over the weekend, but we had a lot of fun too,” Karen Newman details. “We’re not just work colleagues; we’re genuinely good friends and feel like family.”

And what better place to learn from than HD Nail Artist Academy HQ? Boasting instant wow factor, its doors open to an area displaying dozens of shelves lined with HD Professional Nail Systems’ signature black and rose gold products – plus Hazel’s competition trophies. On the right sits the Purely Nailz salon, from which Hazel tends to clients when possible, and on the left, a corridor leads to chic grey, black and white training facilities. With Nailympia medals lining the walls, inspiration and artistry are everywhere.

For Gemma Jay, these are factors that attracted her to the team: “The academy is a great match for my creativity, offering over 150 courses – mostly specialising in nail art.” It’s easy to see why the educators leave the event feeling inspired and filled with creative ideas. Coming together to share passion, skills and strengthen a commitment to industry excellence is not just positive for the team of educators, but the next generation of nail professionals they train.