LOOKS both weird and wonderful were paraded on the catwalk at Buxton’s Devonshire Dome this month when more than 150 students from Buxton & Leek College put on a show of talent at the annual Hair and Beauty Show.
Trainees of all ages competed against their peers on all courses ranging from high school students attending college on day release to those taking advanced Level 3 qualifications. And creative skills shone as the Special Effects and Media Make-up students put on a film worthy performance on the theme `Fantasy Showcase’. Winner Jordan Mellor, 18, from Buxton, transformed her model Kayleigh Tomkinson into a dragon for the day. She said: “I have really enjoyed taking part in the competition even though we only get half an hour to produce the finished look in front of the audience and judges and I was worried I would run out of time. I would really like to work in special effects for film and television when I finish my course.”
Judge Gilliam Hallam, a salon owner in New Mills, said: “Every year the standard at this competition just keeps getting better and better. I have been blown away today and it’s very exciting to see young students express themselves through hair and beauty. It’s been very difficult for us to judge who should come in first place.”
Amy Cohen was awarded a Highly Commended certificate for her efforts in the Level 3 Hairdressing `Avant Garde` category of the contest which was won by mature student Lisa Pearson, 28, from Chapel-en-le-Frith.
College Principal Len Tildsley told the audience: “Today has been a fantastic day and I feel that this competition brings out the absolute best in our students. When you consider that they are working against the clock with constrained resources they have done a great job.
“Although there is only one first prize winner in each category everyone who has competed today will have got something out of it. And the models who have been the subject of all this activity will have their photos sent around the world thanks to Facebook and Instagram.”
Full results were:
Level 2 Barbering – freestyle hair tattoo – Luke Bailey
Level 2 Hair – Hair through the ages – Kiya Emberton
Level 2 Hair Apprentice – Out of this World – Annie Bennett
Level 2 Beauty – Makeup from around the world – Chloe Drinkwater
Level 3 Barbering – Street trend – Lewis Cooke.
Level 2 Hair – Around the world – Jennifer McBain
Level 2 Beauty – Makeup around the World – Victoria Loe
Level 3 Beauty – Indian Head Massage – Bethan Sharp
14 – 16 Beauty – Disney in the Dome – Kim Newton
14 – 16 Hair – Twisted Ways – Emma Mycock
Level 3 Nails – Fantasy Showcase – Joanne Beech
Level 3 Media Makeup – Jordan Mellor
Level 3 Hair – Avant Garde – Lisa Pearson
Buxton & Leek College offers over 15 courses in Hairdressing, Barbering, Beauty and Spa; ranging from Level 1, 2 and 3 NVQs to Apprenticeships. The course offering now includes L3 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services and L3 Diploma in Theatrical, Special Effects, Hair & Media Make-Up.
All students train in fully commercial salons at both the Buxton and Leek campuses, learning their trade on real clients. For more information call 0800 074 0099 or visit www.blc.ac.uk