WILD & filed

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WILD & filed

Join team Scratch at Nail Safari 2025: a five-day education extravaganza that combined skill-building with animal fun

DAY 1

Multiplatform writer, Jess Watts

Before attending my first Nail Safari, I had heard whispers of the unforgettable event – and stepping into Shepreth Wildlife Park confirmed every story. As the morning briefing began, the training centre came alive with smiling nail techs and team members sporting faux fur accessories. The excitement grew when the day’s educator & industry icon, Kirsty Meakin, appeared from behind a wicker screen to the sound of Pitbull’s Fireball.

Kirsty, no stranger to Nail Safari, reflected: “As soon as I arrived, I felt a sense of calm. It was amazing to be surrounded by like-minded, awesome people.” She kicked off her training session by asking if attendees (also known as ‘nail rangers’) were ready to paint nails, then shocked them by revealing that they would be crafting an intricate leopard design on a pop socket. “The class is about practicing product control,” she explained.

Kirsty guided the techs step-by-step, sharing tips and tricks while walking around the room. The animal influence extended beyond the classroom, as delegates were invited to get up close with the park’s residents and feed red pandas, aardvarks and capybaras.

The day ended with certificates for all, homework to finish the designs and anticipation for Kirsty’s selection of the winning leopard look. I realised that I had witnessed something truly special: a blend of community, calm, creativity and incredible animals. “At Nail Safari, you are surrounded by love, support and wildlife. What could be better?” Kirsty summed up perfectly.

DAY 2

Scratch co-founder & Nail Safari organiser team member, Alex Fox

The second day of Nail Safari saw Marian Newman BEM host a science-focused Q&A session. Her clarity and depth of knowledge set the tone for classes filled with learning and professional growth.

The morning welcomed Jiak Hing, Scratch Stars Ultimate Gel Polish Stylist, who delivered her first Nail Safari workshop. The award-winner filled the room with her uplifting energy, as she demonstrated speedy, salon-friendly nail art looks using cat eye and chrome effects, plus 3D and 4D designs. Jiak guided attendees through three levels of complexity: from simple cat eye with chrome, to more advanced layered details, sharing insider tips on magnet control, layering and securing 3D elements. Passionate, warm and technically precise, Jiak inspired the room with her belief that nail art is a form of self-expression.

The afternoon session saw the return of award-winning nail stylist, Andreea Simona Ignat, to Nail Safari. She drew an enthusiastic crowd by showcasing how fast forms (also known as dual forms or reusable moulds) can transform a nail tech’s workflow. She covered natural nail analysis, correct form selection, placement, product choice, cure control and troubleshooting, while emphasising how the fast form technique creates refined, structured and uniform enhancements with minimal product waste. Andreea’s calm, clear teaching style made the technique feel achievable for all.

The day was rounded off with a talk from zookeeper, Liz Dams, who spoke passionately about conservation and shared details about the work of the on-site Hedgehog Hospital, which provides rescue and rehabilitation. Liz also shared gift ideas to help raise funds for the wildlife park, inspiring funds for the wildlife park, inspiring attendees to donate over £150.

DAY 3

Scratch co-founder & Nail Safari organiser team member, Alex Fox

Day three of five began with a powerful reminder of the importance of connection and wellbeing, as I led a hugging session. I revealed how sharing positive energy with others can elevate a mood, reduce stress and improve mental and physical wellbeing. This flowed into a joyful hugging and paint workshop, where nail rangers were invited to express themselves in three ways. After being given white T-shirts to wear, they either shared hugs, painted their arms and hands then hugged, or used fabric pens to write meaningful messages on each other’s T-shirts. The aims were simple yet powerful: to build connection, strengthen group spirit and ensure everyone began the day feeling supported, uplifted and part of something special.

This energy carried into the rest of the day as Hazel Dixon delivered a six-hour 3D fantasy workshop. As one of the UK’s greatest fantasy nail creators, multi-award-winning Hazel brought her signature precision, imagination and world-class expertise to the room, supporting rangers with the clarity and artistry that have made her a true industry icon. She guided attendees through sculpting Mort: a character from animated film, Madagascar. Rangers learned how to create his basket and embraced the challenge of creating an intricate, 3D fantasy figurine. To finish, a helium-filled balloon was attached to each basket for a fun twist.

The evening saw most of the group gather for dinner, where I revealed Krista Paulitti, who had flown from Switzerland, as the educator for day four. In this setting, rangers were able to enjoy close encounters with the talented nail stylist.

DAY 4

Editor, Rebecca Hitchon

After being introduced to globally renowned master trainer & extreme nail expert, Krista Paulitti, the previous evening, nail rangers knew they were in for an intensive styling session. Bearing this in mind, Nail Safari’s organisers arranged for an awareness trail to begin the day, helping attendees learn about the animals they had been interacting with throughout the week.

Once rangers settled down for learning, Krista unveiled an extreme nail shape featuring her specialism: a needle. She had created this for the event, so that attendees could achieve a complete extreme look within the six-hour day, and take away ideas for competition work. The educator shared the steps to creating the shape and demoed how to fashion its parts. Delegates followed along using gel or L&P acrylic, before gluing everything together and decorating the enhancement. It was inspiring to witness how rangers encouraged and helped one another, and this community of support was noted by Krista, who commented: “I enjoyed the power that we had together, and there was a really special atmosphere.”

For many, extreme styling was a new technique and challenge, but one they relished and were eager to finish perfecting for the day’s homework. Attendee & Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year 2025, Sophie Donaldson, shared: “At the start of the day, I didn’t think I would be able to create Krista’s extreme shape, so it was an amazing experience to achieve this. I enjoyed working on an area of nail styling beyond salon work and being creative.”

DAY 5

Editorial & partnerships director, Helena Biggs

Wild & Filed was my sixth Nail Safari experience, and I was just as excited to attend as I was for the first iteration: confident that the organising team would have surprises in store for rangers for the final day of the event. I arrived during a torrential rainstorm, but no one’s spirits were at risk of being dampened, owing to a roster of three education sessions that explored vastly different techniques.

Greeted by the organiser team, I was handed a Nail Safari apron and set of fluffy ears, and prowled the education room while the first class of the day took place: a stamping workshop with Vonny Tuckley of Moyra UK. She shared techniques using animal print and winter design plates, and rangers perfected their designs on tips.

Next up was a henna workshop with Pavan Ahluwalia-Dhanjal BEM, the world’s fastest henna artist. She revealed top tips for enhancing services with henna designs, and the handiwork of ranger, Emily Sims, caught my eye, as she chose to paint ‘Scratch’ on her arm in the brand’s signature pink hue. She commented: “I’ve had so much fun; henna is really therapeutic and I can’t wait to try more of Pavan’s products.”

While the rangers perfected their skills, I got to catch up with day four educator, Krista Paulitti, and feed aardvarks with Sarah Marr, Sweet Squared brand manager & lead education ambassador for CND™ UK. We learned about aardvark behaviour from zookeeper, Liz Dams, and discovered that they have incredibly long nails: perfect canvases for designs!

I made my way back to the education centre, and marvelled over the work that had been created over the previous four days. It was then time for the final educator of Nail Safari 2025 to be unveiled: talented, multi award-winning nail artist, judge & consultant, Tracey Lee. She donned themed attire while sharing the history of Chinese nail guards, before showing rangers how to use moulding clay to create their own, then decorate as desired.

The fun session threw up some interesting clay shapes, which set the tone for the finale: the awards and prizegiving. I helped serve up refreshments for rangers, while the team leaders revealed Mermaid Team as the collective that had won the most ‘paw points’ throughout the week. They were gifted medals, before recognition was given in categories such as artistry, kindness and improvement. The team leaders then gathered for an emotional farewell, while Spice Girls’ song, Goodbye, played aptly in the background. They promised to return in 2026 with another Nail Safari adventure, featuring education, enjoyment and experiences with animal friends.