The beauty industry is an easy target for naysayers who equate the sector with vanity.

But reductive arguments tend to miss how important those little moments of self-care can be, especially when times are tough.

Nail artist Becki Menzies, 27, qualified as a nail artist in March 2020 and found respite in practising the craft amid the first lockdown.

Glasgow Times:

Glasgow Times:

She told the Glasgow Times: “I think in a way it was good for me because I just had months to practice doing nail art.

"That was my little escape when I was in the flat with all those hours to myself.”

The practice paid off. When Becki started taking clients in July 2020, she quickly became one of the most sought-after nail artists in the city.

Now, the talented business owner has rebranded her practice to call it Hold My Hand (formerly Get Nailed) after a client shared that Becki was the 'first person to hold her hand' when the lockdown eased.

Glasgow Times:

Together they co-wrote a touching piece in the local magazine Greater Govanhill about the experience.

Becki said: “I think it was one of the first weeks back after the pandemic that somebody said I was the first person to hold their hand.

"It's mad that I still remember it. That just resonated with me, because we hadn’t been able to touch people except for your little bubble.

“Some people lived by themselves so they could only come to see me."

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A lot of Becki's clients are students or have kids. The handful of hours they spend at her table is often the only time her clients carve out for themselves amid the chaos of everyday life.

She said: “I think a lot of people do joke that nail artists are like therapists, like hairdressers, but that overlooks the actual toll that it takes on you as well as a service.

“It’s what I love about my job but it can also be a lot.

“You have five clients a day and you hear everyone's stresses and stuff, but it's nice giving somebody that little safe space to just be themselves.

"And I think nails are an extension of your style and personality, they’ve really taken a new role in people’s lives."

The nails Becki does are inspired by everything from art and ceramics to concrete and sea slugs, taking inspiration from everyday life and working with clients.

Her favourite manicures to do are the ones that are inspired by anything other than nails.

In spite of her success, Becki still faces criticism after leaving her background in politics to join the beauty sector.

She said: "When I say I'm doing nails now, I still get people asking when I'm going to get a real job.

“Likewise, when my clients come in and get their nails done it’s seen as a vanity project, especially now with the cost of living crisis.

For most of her clients, it's not just about getting their nails done.

Sometimes, Becki's clients find she is the only person they can speak to about something.

Glasgow Times:

Becki added: “They come in and we have a chat. I've known some of my clients for three years now.

"I've been through break ups and other things that have happened to them and sometimes I’m the only person they’ve told.

“I think it is more than just getting your nails done, but even if it is just getting your nails done, who cares? It’s your money, spend it on what you want."

When Becki first read her client's story about what it was like to come into the salon, she cried.

“Because that’s kind of her having her own time and she’s got a couple of kids and it’s the only time she gets to herself, something once a month that’s just for her," Becki says.

She said: “I think that’s so important. When people talk about any beauty treatment and people demean it or think you’re just full of yourself for getting it done – I think it’s important to remember that it actually does help people’s mental health.

“Going forward I would love to be able to give that service to people who can't afford it and build that.

“Because it is a luxury service as well so you’re kind of battling with that.

"You want to give everyone nails. But yeah, it is super important. And some of my clients are my friends now.”

Hold My Hand is located at 55 Queen Street, G1 3EN. For more information, click here.