About Us
Magpie. By a Nail Technician,
for Nail Technicians.
At Magpie, our story begins with a passion for Nails. From a very young age Sarah loved to paint nails - firstly for her mum and her nan, whom she adorned with a beautiful array of colours. And then again whilst working in a corporate career for a local council over sixteen years ago. In her spare time, she created aspirational nails for her friends and family. She then left her full-time job to concentrate on nails, she gained a large customer base. Inspired by a leap of faith, and noticing a gap in the market for nail art glitter, ten years ago Sarah decided to follow a vision and Magpie was founded. Magpie is a brand built on a love for all things shiny.
From humble beginnings in a converted garage, ticking off her goals and dreams whilst painting one set of nails at a time, to the global professional nail care brand it is today. Magpie is much-loved by nail technicians and respected as one of the most ethical brands in the industry.
OUR HISTORY
2013
2013 - 2014
Founder, Sarah Shakespeare an already qualified and established nail and lash technician. Noticing a demand tor high-quality nail glitter and beauty products, she launched her online store, Magpie Beauty, in 2014.
2015
In 2015, Sarah showcased Magpie Glitter at her first beauty show, securing its first UK distributor. Launching several new products including neon pigments and brushes, she also started the 'Magpie Glitter' Facebook group, growing from 19 members in 2015 to 36,700 by 2024.
2017
Magpie launched their Gel Colour range and Give Me Strength Structure Gel. Sarah recruited her first team of five UK Educators. Seasonal Gel Colour collections were added alongside glitters, nail chromes & accessories.
2018
Magpie welcomed new educators from Ireland, USA as well as the UK. Launched their TLC (sanitizing and cream) range. We introduced Nail Art Foils alongside seasonal Gel Colour, Glitter & Chrome Collections.
2019
The launch of a builder, acrylic range and gel paint. UK bootcamp welcomed five more educators to the team and launched new courses for the builder gel and acrylic ranges.
2020
Acrygel in pots and tubes was launched alongside education. New line of scented cuticle oil. Get A Grip & Rubber Up base gels were released. During lockdown, Magpie ran over twenty-five free educational lives. Launch of online accredited education so that techs could become qualified at home.
2021
In 2021, Magpie continued to offer free lockdown live sessions and introduced weekly nail art challenges. Magpie sponsored the T-shirts for Ashgate Hospice's Sparkle Walk, a cause close to Sarah's heart after the loss of her nan, mother and her husband Damien's parents at the hospice. Seven new UK educators joined the team during the first online bootcamp. New product launches included a royal tools, e-file and bits with education, new flakes, gels and accessories.
2022
Magpie released new Give Me Strength & Get A Grip colours, glitters, gel colours as well as more foils, a portable e-file, dust collector, swatch book. They also welcomed twelve brand partners.
2023
Launch of new collections, watercolours, nail art tools, neon pigments and a new summer collection. Magpie ran their first ever event, 'Skill school' which taught over forty students over three days a variety of nail art technicians as well as business and social media advice.
2024
Magpie launched a new builder gel range, BUILD ITTM in pots and bottles. A new 'Glitter Gel' and 'Cats Eye' range including more accessories, chromes, pigments and seasonal gel colour collections.
