Through the Keyhole

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

The Nail Matrix

Location: Harleston, Suffolk

‘A bohemian sanctuary where natural textures, earthy tones and chilled vibes take centre stage’ is how The Nail Matrix founder, Allie Eve, describes her home salon. The nail artist launched the business from a room in her house, before opening a garden studio in 2023 with help from her husband, a carpenter. Allie took inspiration from her love for the natural world and travel to create a space of tranquillity, creativity and escapism.

“The Nail Matrix fuses high-end treatments with a peaceful, warm atmosphere, thoughtfully curated through the décor,” she details. “A raised pedicure area is adorned with rocks, lush greenery and a bespoke copper foot spa, and zen ornaments decorate the studio. The star of the show is a bio-ethanol fire globe that lights up the space with an inviting glow.”

The nail pro trained with the Hazel Dixon Nail Artist Academy, and uses HD Professional Nail Systems, Akzéntz and Elim products for her nail, hand and footcare services. Allie also specialises in one stroke artistry. “I’d love to push my creativity further and provide other specialist techniques, as well as host workshops where I share my passion for nail art,” Allie tells Scratch. “However, as long as I’m creating, connecting and offering people a space to relax and be themselves, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

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The Nail & Beauty Lounge

Location: Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire

Following a successful career as a salon pro, educator & session manicurist, Julie McCabe saw an opportunity to add ‘business owner’ to her list of achievements, noticing a lack of nail studios in Poulton-le-Fylde. A former hair salon and historic, Grade II listed building presented itself as the perfect space, but the journey to opening proved challenging. The local council didn’t recognise a nail and beauty salon as a valid business, and Julie had to apply for ‘a change of use’ for the building.

She used its Georgian style to inspire The Nail & Beauty Lounge’s ‘classic, timeless and welcoming’ vibe. “It was important to me that the salon was designed around our target clientele: professional women over the age of 35 who seek high-quality treatments,” she says. Services include L&P acrylic and gel extensions, builder gel and gel polish overlays, and classic manicures and pedicures, carried out using INK London, PersoNAILity and Bio Sculpture products.

Julie also places emphasis on creating a strong team. “We are one of few local salons that employs staff, therefore provides paid holiday, sick pay, maternity pay and a regular wage,” she explains. Having built the business around being a mum, Julie offers the team flexible hours to work around the needs of their children. “I love employing apprentices and feel it is important to pass on my expertise,” she continues. “I have offered insight to other team members by taking them to session jobs, such as Cannes Film Festival and New York Fashion Week.”