Through the Keyhole: inside pretty salon setups

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SALON SPOTLIGHTS

Through the Keyhole

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

The Beauty Barn

Location: West Lothian, Scotland

“A visit to The Beauty Barn is a special self-care moment that everybody deserves in their busy lives,” says salon owner, Katie McBride. The home salon, which opened its doors in 2014, is located in the village of Bathgate, West Lothian, and was renovated earlier this year. “It was originally my dad’s bar,” Katie smiles. “However, he transformed it into a salon for me after I finished college, which I’ll forever be thankful for.”

The Beauty Barn exudes comfort and sophistication, with beige, black and wooden features that perfectly capture its barn-style charm. Katie offers treatments with a focus on nail health and long-lasting results, sharing: “I prioritise natural nailcare, and offer gel polish and builder gel services, using products from The GelBottle Inc. My aim is for clients to leave The Beauty Barn feeling happy, beautiful and well cared-for.”

The pro takes charge of all aspects of The Beauty Barn, from client treatments to social media and email marketing. She says that working on the business excites her just as much as working within it. Of the future of her career, Katie comments: “I would love to meet with other nail techs and beauty therapists. It would be great to offer my advice and knowledge on all things business, and I’d cherish opportunities to work with brands.”

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@theebeautybarn

@thebeautybarnbykatie

Nikki Nailed it

Location: Stockport, Cheshire

Nikki Nailed it is the passion project of nail artist, Nikki Holliday, who converted a garden shed into her ‘dream private nail studio’. She opened its doors in August, confessing: “I dug up half my garden to create my nail space, and it was totally worth it!”

Tones of purple feature prominently within Nikki Nailed it, and Nikki has infused her personality within its décor. “Purple is such a fun and beautiful colour, and makes me feel relaxed and happy,” she explains. “As someone who navigates ADHD and other mental health disorders, I know how important it is to create a safe, comfortable space for clients. My studio features motivational prints on the walls, and a plant ceiling with fairy lights to create a cosy and welcoming feel.”

The nail pro offers a variety of services, including builder gel enhancements, Après Gel X Extensions and gel polish manicures, with the latter being most popular. Nikki uses Glossify and Brillbird products, owing to their highly pigmented formulas, and offers character and portrait nail art upgrades.

Inclusivity is a key consideration for Nikki, and her salon attracts a range of clients who crave calm, care and creativity. Her hopes for the future are simple: “I want to be fully booked and to ensure people continue to enjoy coming to my salon,” she smiles. “I love everything about having my own studio and want to create tiny masterpieces on nails forever!”