Michelle Brookes
Aromatherapist · Assessor · Beauty Influencer · Beauty therapist · Beauty Writer/Journalist · Brand Ambassador · Brow specialist · Business coach · CEO · Course developer · Educator · Electrologist · IQA · Judge · Manager · Mystery shopper · Nail technician · Salon owner · Skin specialist · Wax specialist
About Michelle
Michelle Brookes
Master Nail Educator • Beauty-Industry Entrepreneur • Competition Judge
Doncaster | South Yorkshire | UK
Professional Snapshot
With nearly two decades in the nail and beauty arena, Michelle Brookes is recognised nationwide as a multi-award-winning nail technician, Scratch Stars “Educator of the Year” (2022 & 2025), and a driving force behind elevated training standards across the UK and Ireland. She is the founder and Managing Director of both Beauty Lounge (Doncaster) Ltd (est. 2006) and Michelle Brookes Training Academy Ltd (est. 2019)-—centres of excellence that blend cutting-edge salon services with industry-leading education.
Qualifications & Credentials
- Level 5 Diploma – Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- IQA/Internal Quality Assurer (VTCT)
- Level 3 CAVA – Assessor in Beauty & Nails
- Skin-Care Practitioner – specialising in hydro-facials, microneedling & chemical peels
- VWAX Educator, delivering advanced waxing techniques and protocols
- Artistic Nail Design Educator
- Footlogix Educator
- Famous Names Educator
- NVQ 2 & 3 Beauty Therapy
Industry Roles
- Master Nail Educator & Centre Manager, Skills North East (VTCT Level 3 programmes; Government Advanced Learner Loan funded)
- UK & Ireland Nail Competition Judge, adjudicating live and photographic categories for leading show organisers
- Professional Beauty Awards Judge – evaluating excellence across salon, spa and aesthetic sectors
- Scratch Magazine Contributor regular technical features, trend commentary and blog posts
Awards & Recognition
- Scratch Stars Awards - Educator of the Year Winner 2022 & 2025
- Multiple National & International Nail Competition Titles, recognised for technical precision and creative design
- Professional Beauty Awards – finalist & panel judge
Leadership & Impact
- Michelle Brookes Training Academy delivers VTCT-accredited courses (Levels 2–4) in nails, beauty and skincare, producing salon-ready graduates year-on-year.
- As Centre Manager for Skills North East, Michelle oversees a team of educators, ensuring quality assurance, curriculum innovation and consistent learner success.
- Regularly invited as a conference speaker and brand ambassador, Michelle champions safe practice, product chemistry understanding, and career progression for nail technicians and beauty therapists alike.
Personal Ethos
Michelle’s teaching philosophy blends creativity, scientific rigour and business acumen. Her mission is simple: raise industry standards while empowering every learner, from complete beginners to seasoned pros, to master their craft and build sustainable, profitable careers.
Qualifications
Indian head massage, Advanced Nail Art & Sculpting, Airbrush Makeup Certification, Aromatherapy, Assessor, Beauty therapy level 2, Beauty therapy level 3 , Body massage, Body wraps , Brow Lamination , Brows , Chemical peel, Dermaplaning, Ear candling, Electric File (E-File) Certification, Facial , Galvanic , Gel polish , Henna brows, High frequency , Higher national diploma in beauty therapy, Hollywood waxing , Hotstones , Hydrodermabrasion, Lash and brow tinting , Lash extensions , Lash lift, Lava shell, Level 3 Award in teaching, Level 4 /5 Advanced Skin Science, Level 4 Advanced Facials, Level 4 Certificate in education, Level 4 Dermaplaning, Level 4 Microneedling, Michellebrookes, Level 5 Diploma in education, Make up , Manicure, Microdermabrasion , Microneedling , Nail Correction & Rebalancing Techniques, Nail extensions, Non surgical face lift/microcurrent, NVQ holistic therapies , Pedicures , Radio frequency , Skin peels, Spray tan, Waxing
Beauty therapy level 2, Beauty therapy level 3 , Body massage, Electric File (E-File) Certification, Facial
Publications
Scratch Magazine Articles by Michelle Brookes
You can find them all here;
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/author/michelle-brookes/
Roles & professionalism as a nail technician – in-person, via correspondence (email etc) and
on social media. How to behave/speak to clients etc.
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/first-impressions-count-top-tips-for%02perfecting-your-dialogue-with-new-nail-salon-clients/
Starting out: Basic products needed and where to buy them from – e.g. reputable
distributors and the importance of this over Amazon for example.
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/heres-what-you-really-need-in%02your-nail-tech-starter-kit-why-you-shouldnt-buy-from-just%02anywhere/?utm_source=scratchmagazine&utm_medium=webstory&utm_campaign=michellebrookesnailkitpurchase
How to determine which course is right for you – and what makes a course reputable
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/how-to-choose-the-right-nail%02course-for-your%02needs/?utm_source=scratchmagazine&utm_medium=webstory&utm_campaign=%0Amichellebrookesnailcourse
How to build and raise your profile the right way (social media tips, competitions,
networking events, awards etc)
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/how-to-raise-your-profile-as-a%02nail-professional/
The importance of insurance and what to look for in an insurer.
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/nail-beauty-pros-heres-what-to%02consider-when-taking-out-an-insurance-policy/
Employability - How to apply for jobs in the industry
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/looking-for-a-job-as-a-nail%02technician-here-are-5-tips-for-nailing-the-application-process/
The importance of client consultations.
https://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/why-are-client-consultations-so%02important-in-the-beauty-industry/
How to effectively communicate with clients and retain them
httpsa://www.scratchmagazine.co.uk/feature/first-impressions-count-top-tips%02for-perfecting-your-dialogue-with-new-nail-salon-client
Work Experience
Beauty Lounge Salon owner
Beauty Lounge is my business, which I have built up into a large commercial salon. I employ 8 members of staff. I also employ trainees on work placements. I attend trade exhibitions to source out new products and equipment. We have experience with dealing with the apprenticeship framework.
Michelle Brookes Training Academy LTD
College principal
Developed private accredited training courses in all the major aspects of Beauty Therapy and Nail enhancements. Full academy with 14 Nail Stations & 5 treatment beds. Retail student shop.
Skills North East
Vtct Centre Manager & Safeguarding centre lead
I have taught VTCT nail technology, nail services & beauty therapy massage via skills North East. I manage a team of assessors. I have experience of government learner loans requirements & how to use E-Portfolio. I have also completed my IQA training and safeguarding management learning.
VWax Educator Doncaster
I have been a self employed educator for Vwax, training students in their specialised waxing course including the intimate VMould treatment. I also teach Vwax Male intimate waxing and the vacial, which is a skin treatment for the pubic area.
Sweet Squared Educator for Artistic, Famous Names & Footlogix
Within my role as an educator we started with intensive training and examinations with each brand. I went to Canada to complete my Footlogix Educators Training which was an amazing experience and I am proud that Louella Belle invited me to experience this.
Brillbird Uk Master Educator Yorkshire
I have been a self-employed educator Brillbird UK. I work at trade shows demonstrating products on the Brillbird Uk stand. 2015 & 2016 I was awarded Brillbird Distributor of the year and generated £57,000 of orders.
Oracle Training Consultants
Assisted in the teaching & assessing of Nvq level 3 Beauty Therapy. I worked in the centre self employed in 2013 for a month. This was never a permanent role as during that time I was pregnant & didn’t want the extra commitment. However, I wanted to gain some experience in the college environment.
Silhouette Dermalift
Training Representative & Sales Representative
Training Beauty Salons and colleges in all Silhouettes Beauty Equipment Selling high-end electrical equipment to Beauty Salons, Spa’s & colleges. Selling at Large Beauty trade exhibitions.
Fantasy Tan Trainer & Sales Representative
Training Beauty Salons and colleges in all aspects of spray tanning and retail products. Cold Calling salons & Spa’s selling spray tanning products & equipment. Managing salon’s orders and account’s every month.
Beauty Trade Company Trainer and sales Representative
Training salons in Royal Effem make up and body products and Loukia Nicola Skincare
Awards & Achievements
Recognised By Industry Bodies, Judging Panels And Peer Organisations.
Best Gel on extension design
Educator of the Year
judging Professional Beauty nail Sal…
-
Brillbird Educators Camp 2020 Teneri…
View Full Awards List (53+ Accolades)
| Years | Awards |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
Artistic Nail Design 2025 - Best Gel on extension design
Artistic Nail Design 2025 - Best Pink & white
Scratch Stars Finalist 2025 – Nail & Beauty Salon of the Year – Beauty Lounge
Scratch Stars Winner 2025 - Educator of the Year
|
| 2023 |
Scratch Stars Finalist 2023 - Educator of the Year
Scratch Stars Finalist 2023 – Team of the Year Louella Belle
Scratch Stars Finalist 2023 – Nail Environment of the Year – Beauty Lounge
|
| 2022 |
March 2022 - judging Professional Beauty nail Salon of the Year
June 2022 – Scratch Stars Judge – Manicurist, liquid & powder tech, one Stoke categories
Scratch Stars Winner 2022 - Educator of the Year
|
| 2021 |
Professional Beauty Awards 2021 - - finalist nail salon of the year
October 2021 - Professional Beauty Nail competition Excel (Invited by Sue Davies & Marianne Newman)
|
| 2020 |
Feb 2020 - Brillbird Educators Camp 2020 Tenerife - Nail Master
Scratch Stars Finalist 2020 - Educator of the Year
Scratch Stars Finalist 2020 - Services to the Nail Industry
|
| 2019 |
Scratch Stars Winner 2019 – Nail Salon of the Year
Scratch Stars Finalist 2019 - Educator of the Year
|
| 2018 |
Professional Beauty Awards 2018 - - finalist nail professional of the year
Scratch Stars Finalist 2018 – Nail Team of the Year
Scratch Stars Finalist 2018 – Nail Salon of the Year
Nailympia 2018 – 1st Place Liquid & Powder Competition Nails
Nailympia 2018 – 1st place Runway Nail Art
Nailympia 2018 – 2nd Place Perfect Match
|
| 2017 |
1st Place - Brillbird Distributor of the year 2017
Professional Beauty Awards 2017 - finalist nail professional of the year
Professional Beauty Awards 2017 - WINNER nail salon of the year
Scratch Stars Finalist 2017 - liquid & powder
Scratch Stars Finalist 2017 - nail stylist
|
| 2016 |
1st Place - Brillbird Distributor of the year 2016
Professional Beauty Awards 2016 - finalist nail professional of the year
Scratch Stars finalist 2016 - nail stylist (3rd place)
Scratch Stars finalist 2016 - gel polish (3rd place)
|
| 2015 |
3rd place Photographic classic - London - Feb 2015
1st place photographic classic - Ireland - March 2015
Scratch Stars finalist 2015 - nail stylist (3rd place)
Scratch Stars finalist 2015 - gel polish (3rd place)
|
| 2014 |
Voters Choice Photographic nail art - October 2014
3rd place Photographic classic -October 2014
2nd place Gel Permanent polish - Oct 2014
|
| 2013 |
Scratch Stars finalist 2013 - manicurist
Scratch Stars finalist 2013 - liquid & powder
|
| 2010 |
3rd place salon nail art challenge - April 2010
3rd place Team Points Accumulator - march 2010
1st place Nail Art - Oct 2010
2nd place photographic nails - nail art - October 2010
2nd place Team Points Accumulator - October 2010
3rd place photographic nails - natural nails - October 2010
|
| 2009 |
3rd place pedicure - Marc 2009
2nd place pedicure - Oct 2009
3rd place photographic nails - Oct 2009
|
| 2008 |
3rd place Ez Flow Encapsulation - Nov 2008
|
| Other |
Professional Brands Used
Eve Taylor
Mundo
Verification Badges
Professional beauty awards Judge
Professional beauty awards winner
Scratch Awards Winner
Work Gallery
Login
Sign Up