MEET THE JUDGES

Get to know the esteemed educators & guest pros who lent their expertise to judge technical & artistic categories in the UK&I’s most prestigious nail industry awards

PART 1

The sun shone in London last month while 40 nail pros – many with models – made their way by plane, train and on foot to the London College of Beauty Therapy (LCBT) campus in Soho. Their mission? To showcase their nail skills and share their business prowess and knowledge in a bid to scoop the ultimate industry accolade: a Scratch Star .

The Scratch Stars Awards is in its 13th year, and recognises exceptional nail technicians, teams, educators and salons across 18 categories. Eight of these categories require a practical assessment, and a task was emailed to finalists one month prior to the competition day. Each hour-long session was followed by a short interview, where finalists, in turn, answered three questions from judges. These questions instigated responses to business scenarios and tested their industry know-how, in order to award the best all-round nail tech in each category.

A talented team of judges was assembled to score finalists on a number of criteria points, which have since been counted to determine winners, who will be announced at The Scratch Stars Party in London on 6 July. The judging panel comprised educators put forward by this year’s sponsors, Scratch Stars Hall Of Fame professionals and guest techs invited based on specific skillsets.

Let’s get to know some of the judges who have helped determine the Scratch Stars Awards’ 2025 winners...

The practical judging day categories:

• Gel Polish Stylist of the Year

• Nail Stylist of the Year

• Mixed Media Artist of the Year

• Polish & Paint Artist of the Year

• Gel Tech of the Year

• L&P Tech of the Year

• Pedicurist of the Year

• Natural Nail Specialist of the Year

KATIE LOU

representing Hara Professional @hara_professional @katielou_nailartist_educator

Katie has over 20 years’ experience in the nail industry, and has built her career around a deep passion for nailcare, artistry and education. She has worked with hundreds of clients and students in her roles as a nail technician & educator, and champions healthy, beautiful nails and high standards of salon practice. She is excited to celebrate skill, dedication and creativity in her role as a judge for this year’s Scratch Stars Awards.

CHILLA CZENTYE

representing Glitterbels @glitterbels @zara.nails.chilla

Born in Hungary, Chilla qualified as a nail technician 20 years ago, and has been living in England for 18 years. An educator since 2020, Chilla is a member of the award-winning Glitterbels education team, and credits her brand colleagues as being ‘amazing’ and ‘supportive’. She thrives on helping students reach their goals in the nail sector.

BETH DAVIS

representing The GelBottle Inc @the_gelbottle_inc @bethdavisnailartist

Senior educator for The GelBottle Inc, Beth Davis, began her beauty industry journey in 2019. She fell in love with nail styling and immersed herself in the sector, training to offer a variety of services. The GelBottle Inc has been part of her journey from its beginning, and her passion for its products evolved into a desire to educate and inspire others.

JOJO WICKENS

representing Light Elegance UK @lightelegance.uk @jojowickens

Jojo is an award-winning nail professional & educator, known for her creative vision, technical expertise and unwavering commitment to the nail industry. With multiple Scratch Stars Awards to her name, Jojo’s work has been recognised at the highest level for both artistry and excellence. She is Light Elegance University’s dean of students & co-owner & head of education for Light Elegance UK. Within these roles, she shares her in-depth product knowledge and passion for education with professionals worldwide.

CATRIONA LEITH

Hall Of Fame guest judge @thenailstudiocb

Catriona is a salon owner, award-winning nail artist & educator with over 17 years’ experience in the nail industry. She is passionate about providing nail services backed by quality, safe products and expertise, and is trained in all aspects of nailcare: from UV gel enhancements to manicures and pedicures. Catriona has scooped the Scratch Stars Gel Tech of the Year and One Stroke Artist of the Year titles three times, and entered the Hall Of Fame for both categories in 2024. She also won The Great Scratch Shoot Out photographic nail competition in 2016. In 2019, Catriona joined the Hazel Dixon Nail Artist Academy education team as a HD Professional and Akzentz nail educator for Cambridgeshire. She was promoted to head of education in 2024.

SCARLETT SENTER

Guest judge @scarlett_senternailartist

Norfolk-based salon owner, Scarlett, started her nail industry journey 15 years ago. She has scooped over 70 awards, including three Scratch Stars, and won numerous photographic nail competition titles. Scarlett is passionate about the growth of the nail industry and helping other pros to gain confidence and improve their skills. Her work has been featured on the cover of trade titles including Scratch, Nail Couture and NailPro. Scarlett is a regular judge of industry competitions.

KAYLEY CAIRNS

Hall Of Fame guest judge @nailykayley

Kayley Cairns is a nail artist & educator based in Billericay, Essex. She provides education for beginners through to advanced skills as part of the multi award-winning HD Nail Artist Academy. Having been in the industry for 13 years, Kayley has won a multitude of awards and competitions, including Art Winner of Winners – Division 3 at Nailympia London 2022, and five Scratch Stars. Three of these were for Nail Stylist of the Year, which propelled her into the Hall Of Fame. Kayley’s passion lies in nail artistry and she adores the flexibility that working with L&P acrylic allows.

DENISE SPRAGG

Guest judge @denisespragg @thesanghahouse

Denise spent 26 years as a criminal and family lawyer, before she and her husband set up a Tai Chi and yoga retreats company in 2005. This sparked an interest in holistic and beauty treatments, and Denise has been practicing manicure and pedicure techniques since 2011. She is trained in an advanced pedicure technique, is an accredited Footlogix practitioner and was the legal and financial director of the Federation of Nail Professionals. Denise runs health and wellbeing centre, The Sangha House, in Somerset with her husband, and in 2023, won the SOS Beauty Award for Footcare Practitioner of the Year.

JIAK HING

Hall Of Fame guest judge @jarknails

Jiak Hing is a bespoke nail artist from Bolton, Manchester. She specialises in unique, illustrative nail art under the business name, Jark Nails, and has scooped multiple industry awards, including the Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year accolade in 2022, 2023 and 2024, thus entering the Hall Of Fame. Jiak is committed to producing innovative and intricate nail art, and credits gel polish for offering creative freedom. The versatility of the medium allows her to experiment with a spectrum of colours and bring her artistic visions to life.

GEORGIE SMEDLEY

representing Gelish / Nail Alliance UK @gelishofficialuk @georgiesmedley

Georgie Smedley is a dynamic and accomplished nail professional with over 30 years’ experience. She was the MD of Hand & Nail Harmony UK (later Georgie Smedley Group), and successfully launched Gelish in the UK in 2010, distributing its products and offering training. She is known for her dedication to excellence, expertise and passion for continuous learning. Georgie has worked closely with chemists who have enabled her to grow her technical and development knowledge, and with industry leaders such as Marian Newman BEM and Danny Haile. She continues to positively influence her students and customers, and works as digital education developer at Nail Alliance UK.

KYM MOODY

representing HD Professional Nail Systems @hdpronails @kymmoody

Kym has worked in the nail industry for over 30 years and is an educator for Hazel Dixon Nail Artist Academy. She is in the Scratch Stars Hall Of Fame, as a member of the academy’s Nail Team of the Year, and enjoys delivering courses for beginners in manicure, pedicure, L&P, gel and nail art. Kym has worked as a salon owner and gained NVQ Level 3 qualifications in both beauty and nails, as well as a PTTLS teaching qualification.

JENNIE NIPPARD

representing Glitterbels @glitterbels @jenniennails @gbtraininghertfordshire

Hertfordshire-based educator, Jennie Nippard, boasts 30 years’ experience in the nail sector and has worked as a session nail stylist and international judge. She is a co-founder of the annual Nail Safari education event and has taught nail skills to NVQ Levels 2 and 3. Jennie is deputy head of education for Glitterbels, and scooped the Scratch Stars Educator of the Year award 2020/21. She loves helping students to develop their skills and flourish in the nail industry.

KIRSTY MEAKIN

Hall Of Fame guest judge @kirstymeakin

Kirsty Meakin is recognised globally for her nail artistry, and has over 100 nail accolades – including Scratch Stars Nail Artist of the Year 2012, Scratch Stars Ultimate Social Media Star and UK Nail Professional of the Year 2010. She has also been nominated for awards including Nail Artist of the Year at the American Influencer Awards, and is an ambassador for Booksy. Kirsty has been honing her skills for over 20 years, and her creations have been exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. She is passionate about education and has her own product range, which includes gel polish, acrygel, nail tools and merchandise.

JADE BARBER

Guest judge @nailandbeautyexcellence

Jade Barber has won over 100 nail competition titles, including Scratch

Stars L&P Tech of the Year 2022, and boasts 11 years’ experience in the sector. Her journey has been fuelled by passion, dedication and an unwavering drive to succeed. Jade is committed to sharing her knowledge, helping others grow in skill and confidence, and guiding them to achieve their full potential. She is founder of Nail & Beauty Excellence (NBE), a brand dedicated to delivering premium quality products and training.

CHARLOTTE LOWE

representing OPI @opinailsuk @charlotteloweopi

Charlotte is an experienced nail professional & OPI field educator with over 15 years’ experience in the industry. Since 2020, she has delivered in-person and digital education for the OPI brand, and her career highlights include working on nail teams for London and Paris Fashion Weeks. She was part of the Scratch Stars Nail Team of the Year in 2023 and is an Educator of the Year finalist for 2025.

ASHLEIGH KIRBY

representing Sweet Squared @sweetsquared.nails @ashleigh_beautynails

Liverpool-based CND™ education ambassador & salon owner, Ashleigh Kirby, is deeply passionate about the nail sector and has mentored numerous professionals and built a thriving business. She champions the creativity and dedication that make the nail world special, and is delighted to ‘celebrate the talent, innovation and artistry that nail technicians bring to their work every day’ by judging the Scratch Stars Awards.

SARA PINTO

representing Andreia Professional @andreia.professional.uk @sari_s_pinto

Sara has been working as a nail specialist since 2008, and is a master & international educator. She was a brand manager between 2011 and 2017, before moving on to work with Andreia Professional. For the last eight years, she has worked as its product development manager & academy manager, and is responsible for Andreia Professional educators. Sara is an experienced judge of nail competitions and has been lending her expertise worldwide since 2016.

JACQUI O’SULLIVAN

Guest judge @jacqui0s

Jacqui has enviable teaching and motivational expertise and vast experience delivering training and assessments in nail technology, customer care, nail art and procedures within high pressure settings. She holds a degree in Education and Scratch Star for Services to the Nail Industry. Jacqui judges at and administers a number of nail competitions, including Nailympia and WorldSkills UK, and works with awarding bodies in the education sector. She has also helped develop training courses and nail products.

VIVIEN CARRICK

representing the London College of Beauty Therapy (LCBT) @thelcbt

Vivien has worked in the hair and beauty industry since 1998. A former celebrity hair extension stylist, she has worked on key figures for events such as the Oscars and travelled widely in her role. Through her travels, she became interested in the beauty industry and re-trained, gaining beauty and nail qualifications. Vivien has taught all levels of beauty since 2011, and is also qualified to offer Level 4 aesthetics, including microneedling, chemical peeling and blemish removal.

JODIE CUNNINGHAM

representing Sweet Squared @sweetsquared.nails @jodie_cnd_ea

Jodie is a CND™ education ambassador & salon owner from Plymouth, and shares that judging the Scratch Stars Awards has offered an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and passion within the nail industry. She is proud to have grown a strong salon team and helped students to develop their skills, and feels that every set of nails showcases love, care and creativity. Jodie believes that nails are more than beauty; they enable connection, expression and joy.

SEAN O’SULLIVAN

Guest judge @sean_patrick_o

Sean has over 25 years’ experience in the nail industry, with teaching and motivational expertise. He holds qualifications in all aspects of nailcare and delivers nail technology training and assessments. Sean has been involved in managing and judging national and international nail competitions, is a nail industry consultant and the lead nail judge for WorldSkills UK. He is a scoring manager for Nailympia Competitions.

TINA BELL

representing Pure Nails / Halo Acrylic + @purenailsuk @tinabonbeena

Tina found her love for nails at the age of 16, and her career journey has since taken her all over the world. She has worked for

Pure Nails for seven years and is its head of education and product development & technical support advisor. She balances her roles alongside running Totally Polished Nails, Beauty & Training Academy in Newcastle upon Tyne.