Nelson's Betty Rose seen on Eurovision is finalist in best salon

Betty Rose, based in Marsden Hall Road, Nelson, has developed a reputation for her intricate nail art and reconstruction, which she described as “life-changing” for her clients.

Having changed direction from her original business after the pandemic, owner Rachel Shuttleworth began focussing on more flamboyant designs and treatments. She left the store she managed, which focussed on more traditional beauty including hair and lashes.

Rachel said: “I didn’t expect it. I have a lot of support from my clients, and I have a big loyal following, so it is really good.

“Thank you to everyone who nominated me, without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

“It is another step in the right direction, and it would mean a lot. I have been in the industry for 18 years now but until covid, I had always concentrated on my staff, apprentices and people renting chairs and I never did my thing or took it anywhere.

“Covid did me a favour really, it is weird to be concentrating on me and what I want.”

Ranging from pictures of Home Alone’s Kevin McCallister to the villains of Disney films, her nail art was scouted by the BBC for a Eurovision commercial in 2023 showing nail extensions painted with flags. 

Rachel Shuttleworth with her Eurovision nails (Image: Rachel Shuttleworth) Rachel added: “I got head hunted in 2023. I did the Eurovision nails for a BBC TV advert because my portraits were noticed on Instagram and since then it has been a whirlwind.

“I was starstruck doing something like that. Little old me sat in Nelson, getting asked to do something like that is mad, isn’t it.

“I ended up winning an award last year, it is like a little train I am on and I never expected myself to be on the journey I am.”

Having had a difficult upbringing and being taken into care by her grandmother, Rachel never knew what she wanted to do.

Losing her job just before Christmas, she spent eight months unemployed and struggled with her mental health, working multiple jobs seven days a week to raise the funds to do a nail course.

She said: “Everyone said I wouldn’t be able to do it and I just went with it and just happened to be very good.”

Additionally, the pressure of the pandemic and the global recession placed a strain on her business, as she could only work at 50 per cent capacity.

However, since then Rachel has continued to grow her business and focussed on providing a more intimate experience.

Rachel added: “I am busy all the time, but now I am busy with me, and it is concentrated on me so it gives a personal space.

“Everyone loves having a chat, it is one room with me with one room at the back. It is a quiet space without any interruptions. I am still as busy as ever just in a different way.”

Her business still provides all the traditional treatments and customers can get eyebrow waxing, lashes and nails done.

Readers can vote for the ‘Best Beauty Salon 2024’ by picking up copies of the Lancashire Telegraph until Saturday, October 12.