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Scratch Star Awards 2026 celebrates nail industry excellence
Images: Courtesy of Jon Bradley Photography www.jonbradley.co.uk for Scratch magazine.
The Scratch Star Awards 2026 took place at The Underglobe, London on Sunday 5th July, bringing together professionals from across the UK and Ireland nail sector to celebrate excellence, innovation and achievement.
We were delighted to discover that out of the nominees, 32 are ABT insurance or have their training accredited with us, whilst 11 of the 19 winners announced at the Scratch Stars Party are ABT members.
Established by Scratch magazine in 2012, the annual awards have become a respected platform for recognising the talent, commitment and creativity of nail professionals, salons, teams and businesses across the industry.
This year's competition attracted hundreds of entries from across the UK and Ireland, with applicants keen to showcase their expertise, growth and achievements over the past 12 months. Following a careful evaluation process, finalists were selected across 19 categories before undergoing a second and final stage of assessment.
ABT's Ella Figgitt was delighted to have been chosen as part of the judging panel. Ella comments:
“It's a privilege to be involved in recognising and celebrating excellence across the sector, I look forward to seeing the outstanding work submitted this year and celebrating the finalists and winners at the awards party.”
ABT were also delighted to act as sponsor the Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year and Educator of the Year categories.
More than a celebration of technical skill, the Scratch Star Awards spotlight all-round excellence within the nail sector. The awards recognise professionals who deliver standout client experiences, as well as individuals and businesses that champion the industry, support its development and help raise its profile.
Hosted by JLS' Aston Merrygold and Scratch's Helena Biggs, with live entertainment from Big Brovaz and Booty Luv, the Scratch Star Awards Party provided an opportunity for the sector to come together, acknowledge the achievements of its brightest talents and celebrate the passion that continues to drive the nail industry forward.
The winners and finalists are...
NATURAL NAIL SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by HARA Professional
Winner
Jessica Price, West Yorkshire - @jessthenailspecialist
Finalists
Marta Nagorska, London - @furiousfiler
Soraya Mancha, Greater Manchester - @sorayamancha
Tanya Jeskins, Cornwall - @tanyajeskinshairandnails
Victoria Howse, Cheshire - @victoria_opiuki
L&P TECH OF THE YEAR sponsored by Katie Barnes Tool Range
Winner
Kylea Wherry, Shropshire - @kyleawherry_nailartisteducator
Finalists
Justyna Pryke, West Yorkshire - @justynapryke_ap.nailschool
Kirsty McDonough, Lancashire - @kmnailsandbeauty
Ruth Green, Northamptonshire - @serenity.nails.beauty.x
Sarah Thompson, Lancashire - @sarahelizabethnaileducation
NAIL STYLIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by Glitterbels
Winner
Kirsty McDonough, Lancashire - @kmnailsandbeauty -
ABT Member
Finalists
Alice Nali, London - @alynails.salonandacademy
Dee McIntosh, Derbyshire - @diamonddollshairnnailsandbeauty
Diana Marineanu Hategan, Greater Manchester - @dmhnailstech
Kellie Sanfiz, Bristol - @kelliesanfiznailtech
BUILDER GEL TECH OF THE YEAR sponsored by The GelBottle Inc
Winner
Lucy Price, West Yorkshire - @lucyrosenails -
OPI Accredited
Finalists
Georgina Watt, Lincolnshire - @bygeorginails.educator
Jake Wilde, Cheshire - @jake_wilde23
Michaela Phillips, Kent - @gelalicious
Nichola Green, Nottinghamshire - @nailsatniks
GEL TECH OF THE YEAR sponsored by LE UK
Winner
Justyna Pryke, West Yorkshire - @justynapryke_ap.nailschool
Finalists
Clare Hanson, West Yorkshire - @clarehansonnailartist
Erika Beck, Bedfordshire - @erika_beck_nails
Faranak Shafie, Greater Manchester - @theglownailbeauty
Marie Juranova, West Sussex - @letsnailit.uk
GEL POLISH STYLIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by OPI
Winner
Dannika Majewski, Fife - @dannika.bernadette
Finalists
Jessica Hales, Suffolk - @nailsbyjesshales
Katarzyna Korzeniak, Cheshire - @katessimplynails
Marzena Maria Zygmunt, Lancashire - @emilia_rose_beauty
Sophie Donaldson, Kent - @sophiescosycorner
PEDICURIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by The Nail Lab UK
Winner
Kristine Toce, London - @kikasnailart
Finalists
Amy Menzies, Greater Manchester - @amymenziesmanipedicurist
Erika Beck, Bedfordshire - @erika_beck_nails
Leila Monroy, Edinburgh - @leilamonroyle
Michaela Phillips, Kent - @gelalicious
MIXED MEDIA ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by HD Pro Nail Systems
Winner
Alice Nali, London - @alynails.salonandacademy -
ABT Insured and Accredited
Finalists
Sabre van Dijk, East Sussex - @badgalsabz
Sara Cady, Lincolnshire - @glamourphile
Sue Rangeley, West Yorkshire - @Blackdiamondacademy_yorkshire
Tina Li, Northamptonshire - @nailtechtina
POLISH & PAINT ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by Andreia Professional
Winner
Monika Ferreira, Northamptonshire - @mjallure_beauty -
ABT Member
Finalists
Carrie Morgan, Cambridgeshire - @carries_nails_
Freya-Poppy Bowden, West Yorkshire - @sugar.rush.nails444
Kelsey Akinyemi, London - @imaginailry
Sabre van Dijk, East Sussex - @badgalsabz
NAIL SALON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Vodex
Winner
The Nail Group, London - @thenailgroup -
ABT Member
Finalists
KHAOS Nail Bar, Herefordshire - @khaosnailbar
Offbeat Beauty Collective, South Yorkshire - @offbeat_beauty_collective
Townhouse (Covent Garden), London - @townhouse
Tree Nail Spa, Buckinghamshire - @treenailspa1
NAIL & BEAUTY SALON OF THE YEAR sponsored by ABT part of Howden
Winner
Kate Lifestyle, Essex - @katelifestylemaldon
Finalists
Diamond Dolls Beauty, Derbyshire - @diamonddollshairnnailsandbeauty
Queen B Luxury Nail & Beauty Lounge, London - @queenbinlondon
Sirens City Retreat, County Durham - @sirensbeauty
Skin Couture Beauty, Lincolnshire - @skincouturebeautycaistor
MOBILE NAILIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by Timely
Winner
Jade Thornhill, Kent - @nailsbyjade___
Finalists
Amy Hide, Surrey - @by.amyh
Gemma Riley, Devon - @gemma.riley.nails
Gergana Yozova, Cambridgeshire - @jerry_yozova
Sonia Massei, London - @sonia_mobile_beauty
HOME NAIL SALON OF THE YEAR sponsored by Gelish
Winner
Chell's Beauty By The Sea, Essex - @chellsbeautybythesea
Finalists
Aurora Beauty Cheshire, Cheshire - @aurorabeauty.cheshire
Kika's Nail Art, London - @kikasnailart
Quiet Rebel Nails, London - @quiet_rebel_nails
Vonnie's Nails And Beauty, Lancashire - @vonnies_nailsandbeauty
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR sponsored by ABT part of Howden
Winner
Michelle Brookes, South Yorkshire - @michellebrookes_nailacademy -
ABT Insured and Accredited
Finalists
Elisha Micallef, Essex - @elishaopi
Kylea Wherry, Shropshire - @kyleawherry_nailartisteducator
Lucy Price, West Yorkshire - @lucyrosenails
Melanie Lewendon, Derbyshire - @melanielewendon_nailartist
ONLINE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR sponsored by Trafford & Stockport College Group
Winner
Hazel Dixon, Norfolk - @hazeldixon -
ABT Insured and Accredited
Finalists
Alice Wilson, Merseyside - @nailsathomewithalicex
Melanie Lewendon, Derbyshire - @melanielewendon_nailartist
SOCIAL MEDIA STAR OF THE YEAR sponsored by Halo Gel Polish+
Winner
Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, Warwickshire - @katiebarnes.toolrange -
ABT Accredited
Finalists
Gemma Jones, Hampshire - @gemmyjaynails
Jessica White, Lancashire - @jessicawhitenailartist
Lorna Andrews, Lancashire - @ninjanailfairy
Nicole Dodd, Merseyside - @nudeynails
NAIL TEAM OF THE YEAR sponsored by CuticleCo
Winner
OPI Education Team - @opiuki_pro -
ABT Accredited
Finalists
Katie Barnes Tool Range - @katiebarnes.toolrange
Tree Nail Spa - @treenailspa1
THE SHOOTING STAR AWARD presented by Scratch
Winner
Zoya Mac - @zoya_mac
Finalists
Ashleigh Thackray & Gaynor McCann (Niche Nail Network) - @nichenailnetwork
Chelsey Downie (Nailed It! By Chelsey) - @naileditbychelsey
Lyndsey Joyce - @blackcanvassociety
Maisie Jackson - @maisiejacksonbeauty
SERVICES TO THE NAIL INDUSTRY sponsored by Sweet Squared
Winner
Alex Fox - @alexfoxlife_
Finalists
Helen Ward - @thehairandbeautydirectory
Juanita Huber-Millet - @townhouse
Mario Zatkovsky - @nails_by_marioz
Images: www.facebook.com/scratchmag / Jon Bradley Photography www.jonbradley.co.uk for Scratch magazine.
