A nail technician from Darlington has been named as the best in the business.
Sarah Usher, senior therapist and nail specialist at Rockliffe Hall Spa in Hurworth, near Darlington, recently clinched the Scratch Star Award for Pedicurist of the year 2015 at a prestigious awards’ ceremony.
The Scratch Star Awards are the only awards to recognise experts in the UK nail industry. Now in their fourth year, the awards celebrate technicians, salons, publications and businesses within the ever evolving nail arena.
This year’s event was held at the Café de Paris in Piccadilly Circus in London with big names from the industry in attendance, including Lena White from OPI, manicurist to the stars Leighton Denny and internationally renowned nail expert Samuel Sweet who were there championing the burgeoning talent in nail services.
Sarah, who has worked at Rockliffe Hall for almost five years, was presented with her award by TV presenter, Gethin Jones. Sarah said: “Making a guest feel special, relaxed and beautiful through nail services is my passion. This award has given me the confidence and extra push to dedicate my career to training and motivating others into this fulfilling career.”
Rockliffe Hall’s spa manager, Victoria Lees, said: “A Scratch Star Award is a sign of sheer excellence and prowess within the industry. It recognises both incredible skill and also overall approach. Sarah is that special breed of therapist who goes way above the job description to ensure her skills are continually improving. She exceeds all her clients’ expectations and she nurtures her colleague’s talent.”
Rockliffe Hall’s spa has become one of the most successful in the UK and was recently the only spa in the North to again receive the Good Spa Guide award for Sheer Luxury, competing against high profile spas including Dormy House, Chewton Glen and Pennyhill Park.
A new Spa Garden is due to open at Rockliffe Hall in August with features including outdoor hot pools, an infinity edge hydrotherapy pool with massage features and a warm Jacuzzi, under-floor heated decking and lounging areas, a garden room with a traditional glass-fronted sauna cabin, fire pit, water feature, landscaped gardens with views across Rockliffe Hall’s grounds and heated relaxation loungers.
Rockliffe Hall works with Orly to offer guests some of the best manicure services available in the UK. The LA-based brand is used on catwalks, film sets and fashion shoots worldwide and has a client list of hundreds of A-list stars, as well as being a firm favourite of nail experts all over the world.