SCRATCHCOLUMNIST

Styling with THE STARS

Let your skills sparkle with technical & artistic step-by-steps from Scratch Stars Awards champions

Scratch Star spotlight

Who: Kirsty Mcdonough What: Scratch Stars L&P

Tech of the Year 2024 & Nail Stylist of the Year 2025. Why: Kirsty boasts over 15 years’ nail industry experience and is passionate about perfecting her craft. She has competed in UK and international nail competitions, earning over 40 trophies and medals. How: As a salon owner and passionate nail artist, Kirsty works confidently with all nail mediums, though she is best known for her work with L&P acrylic. She credits its versatility for allowing her to bring client visions to life with creativity and precision.

Traditional tartan nail art

Tartan is a popular nail pattern thanks to its endless customisation options. Each vertical and horizontal stripe can be adapted with colour, transparency and texture, and many modern interpretations incorporate dashes or dotted details to create unique variations.

Step 1 Prep the nail and apply gel polish base coat. Cure, then apply two coats of red gel polish, curing between each coat. Apply a matte top coat and cure again.

Step 2 Mix a dark green gel polish with base coat to create a translucent, jelly-like shade. Use this mix to paint vertical lines down the nail of medium thicknesses. Cure.

Step 3 Paint horizontal lines of the same thickness across the nail using the mix, and cure.

Step 4 Using a fine liner brush and black art gel, paint thin lines between the translucent green vertical lines. Cure.

Step 5 Add thin black art gel lines between the translucent green horizontal lines. Cure.

Step 6 Apply matte top coat. Cure, then lightly buff to smooth the surface.

Step 7 Use the fine liner brush and white art gel to paint a thin line in the middle of each translucent green line. Cure.

Step 8 Apply a high-shine top coat for glossy glam, or use matte top coat for a chic, sleek style. Cure.

TOP TIP

Flash cure after painting each line. That way, if you make a mistake, you can gently wipe it away without ruining the entire design.

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WINNING WISDOM

“The Scratch Stars Awards is an incredible experience,” Kirsty shares. “I entered to challenge myself and my skills. The competition is intense – in the best possible way, pushing you creatively and encouraging you to grow. Everyone involved is so supportive, and the process is a learning curve. The Scratch Stars Party is also a highlight: it brings together amazing people from across the industry, and the entertainment creates an uplifting vibe.

“My best advice for the entry process is to type out your answers in a document, take your time refining them, then copy them into the entry form once you’re ready to submit.”

Follow Kirsty:

/kmnailsandbeauty

@kmnailsandbeauty &

@famoria.beauty.lounge

@kmnailsandbeauty