The 14th Scratch Stars Awards took place on Sunday, July 5th, honouring 300 professionals from the UK and Ireland's nail sector. Hosted at The Underglobe in London, the event recognised outstanding achievements across 19 categories, celebrating nail technicians, salons, educators, and teams.
These awards highlight individuals and businesses that have set a high standard in talent, innovation, and professionalism within the nail industry over the past year. For salon and beauty business owners, the winners list serves as a benchmark for quality and a source of inspiration. Identifying these leading lights, from Natural Nail Specialists to Salon Teams, offers insight into what constitutes excellence in the competitive UK market.
The breadth of categories, including Natural Nail Specialist, Builder Gel Tech, Pedicurist, and Mobile Nailist, reflects the diverse specialisms within the sector. Recognising categories like Home Nail Salon of the Year and Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year underscores the varied business models thriving today. This acknowledgement from a prominent industry publication like Scratch magazine lends significant credibility to the recipients and, by extension, to the standards they represent.
For businesses aiming to elevate their profile or improve their services, understanding the criteria for these awards is crucial. While the full details of judging remain internal, the act of winning or even being nominated points towards superior client care, technical skill, and business acumen. The Scratch Stars Awards 2026 winners demonstrate a commitment to advancing the nail industry. Businesses seeking to understand current best practices or identify potential collaborators or educators should pay close attention to these recognised names.
