Learners across the College’s Hairdressing and Barbering courses put their best curl forward as they took part in the first annual student Hair Competition.
Students spent the afternoon with hairdryers at the ready as they undertook four exciting contests, transforming models under the watchful eye of guest judges Chris and Matt from ASP Expert Haircare, the same hair range used in the Radmoor Salon.
The day kicked off with the two nail biting heats, starting with the Fantasy Hair round, which saw students use their imagination to create extraordinary styles. In the Barbering, Cut, and Finish round, Level 2 and 3 learners wowed the judges with their precise cuts and fades.
In the afternoon rounds, Level 2 students went head-to-head in the Blow Dry and Colour and Finish rounds, working against the clock to create polished styles on live models and training heads. Learners planned complex colour transformations, inspired by their training with lecturers Kerie Mooney and Jess Perkins, who oversaw the contestants to ensure a fair competition.
After much deliberation, the judging panel announced the highest scoring students of each competition, with first place winners earning an exclusive place in the regional heat for the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Student Competition.
Judge Chris commended all participants on the high standard of work produced, noting that scoring the rounds was more of a challenge than anticipated due to the level of talent and ability. For the Fantasy Hair round, learners Flossi Derby, Alex Mason, and Layla Mezuri were awarded, with Flossi taking the first-place prize.
In the Barbering competition, Zinnia Withers, Sarah Jennings, and Sophie Drew were announced as the top-scoring students, and it was Sophie who won the highest score. For the afternoon competitions, Martina Filaj and Louis Hallam were first prize winners for Blow Dry, and Colour and Finish competitions respectively. Skye Hodges and Bianca Mihalache were named runners up for the Blow Dry heat, and Kaia Newman and Layla Mezuri finished second and third in the Colour and Finish round.
Andrea Hewitt, Dispensary Technician at Radmoor Salon shared, “The competition has been a huge success, with students really working hard to create exciting and salon-quality styles. Our judges were so impressed with the talent of our learners.
“Our first-place winners will now go on to the regional heats for the AHT Student Competition, aiming for a place in the national final, held in Blackpool later this year. Congratulations to our fantastic winners, and all the students who took part in the competition!”