Through the Keyhole
Take a peek inside salon setups across the UK&I as Scratch unlocks each door
The Gel Studio
Location: Minehead, Somerset
Vienna Marchant’s garden salon, The Gel Studio, took four months to build. “It was a chaotic but worthwhile process, and creating a studio that’s personalised to my tastes is one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Vienna shares.
The Gel Studio boasts a serene interior comprising soft beige and cream tones, which is ‘finished with faux plants to ensure the space exudes feelings of calm’. One of the key features is a wall display of gel polishes. “It’s a real showstopper,” Vienna comments.
The salon attracts clients between the ages of 16 and 82. Vienna offers nail services including gel polish overlays, BIAB™ enhancements, hard gel extensions and medical-grade pedicures, using brands including The GelBottle Inc, Navy Professional and Willow Academy. “They’re high-quality, well-recognised brands that I trust to deliver great results for my clients,” she notes.
Vienna rents out her studio space to another nail tech when she’s not working. “In the future, I’d love to find a pro to rent the space for a day each week and offer head spa treatments, so my clients can enjoy even more ways to relax,” she says.
Gels by Vie @gelsbyvie
The Nail Nest
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Shurun Li and Alice Knight met while working in the same salon, and decided to combine their 20 years of industry experience to create The Nail Nest. “We are kindred spirits,” they smile. “Our goals aligned and we had one vision: to create a space that we could call our own, where we can do the jobs we love.”
The Nail Nest is light and airy, featuring a neutral colour palette, wood panelling and linen accents, with pops of olive green: the studio’s signature shade. “Our pedicure platform is a standout area,” the pair notes. “It’s a cosy corner, where every detail is intentionally designed to make services practical for the technician, and equally as comfortable for the client.”
The dedicated duo offers a wide range of treatments, including CND Shellac™ manicures, gel extensions and builder gel services. “I’m a proud UK ambassador for CND™,” Alice comments. “The brand prioritises nail health and is at the forefront of product innovation.”
Alongside welcoming new clients ‘from far and wide’, Alice and Shurun’s hope for the future is to ‘continue laughing while working in our beautiful space’.
@thenailnesttw
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