Hard work paid dividends as a Coleg Llandrillo learner claimed victory at Salon Cymru, Wales’ premier hairdressing and beauty event, in Cardiff on Sunday.
Bethan Maria Evans, 21, who works at Copa, Bethesda, at weekends, won the hair up level three category against competitors from across Wales, the English border counties and Europe.
“It feels amazing to have won,” she said. “It’s nice to get the recognition for all the hard work that I put in for it. I have received so much help and support from tutors and my boss, which is very much appreciated.”
Salon Cymru’s overall winner was 19-year-old hairdresser Joel Williams from Pontypool who works for D. K. Sebastian in Cwmbran while the rising star was Vincenza Butchers, 21, an apprentice from Guys and Dolls @ Alex’s in Llanelli.
The dynamic annual event, organised by Bridgend based ISA Training, the largest independent hair and beauty training provider in Wales, is held at the Swalec Stadium. It featured 10 competitions and attracted more than 160 competitors and around 500 spectators.
One of the event’s highlights was a sell-out 90-minute masterclass by inspirational hairdresser Patrick Cameron who declared that Salon Cymru was much bigger and better than when he last visited four years ago.
Delighted ISA Training’s managing director Berni Tyler said: “I didn’t believe Salon Cymru could get any bigger and better but it has done. The professionalism and standards achieved never ceases to amaze.
“Introducing European students this year has given competitors something to think about and they worked very well. Next year, I would like to see open barbering and avant garde competitions to raise the standard even higher.”
In addition to Cameron’s masterclass, there were demonstrations by WAHL Barber of the Year Darryn Pitman and former world champion hairdresser Steven Smart. Popular event compere was BBC Wales weatherman Owain Wyn Evans.
The judges were Scott Smurthwaite, director of Cream, Cheltenham and Gloucester, Vicky Turner from the Goldsworthy Group, John Rees-Hole, a director of Urban Retreat, Harrods, world gold medalist Deborah Smart, of Smart Est 72 and Chris Howells from Laura Mercier.
Full results: Blow dry level two: 1, Joel Williams, D. K. Sebastian, Cwmbran; 2, Rachel; Hickling, Hairplay, Newport; 3, Caitlin Wilson, Spirit Hair Team, Ystrad Mynach. Make-up level 2: Ellie Dwyer, One A Hair and Beauty, Caernarfon; 2, Leanne Smith, Coleg Cambria, Wrexham; 3, Amber Mathers, Coleg Cambria, Wrexham. Make-up level three: 1, Marilyn Lowrie, Coleg Cambria, Wrexham; 2, Shona Waters, Coleg Gwent; 3, Anna Freeman, Coleg Gwent. Hair up level two: 1, Ruth Elen Lloyd, One A Hair and Beauty, Caernarfon; 2, Vicky Bear, C2 Hair Design, Stroud; 3, Chelsie Jade Mogford, Chic Boutique, Newbridge. Hair up level three: 1, Bethan Maria Evans, Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-on-Sea; 2, Lauren Wynne, Captiva Spa, Caerphilly; 3, Aleksandra Kurowska, Poland. Cutting level three: 1, Sinitta Dee Westen, Coleg Gwent; 2, Vincenza Butchers, Guys and Dolls@Alex’s, Llanelli; 3, Mary Foley, Yume Hair and Beauty, Cardiff. Barbering: Jake Anthony Morgan, Pembrokeshire College; 2, Mathew John Guerin, Coleg Sir Gar. 3, Alexander Percival, Ashley Daniels, Newport. Colouring: 1, Joel Williams, D. K. Sebastian, Cwmbran; 2, Sophie Harris, Ice Hair Group, Cardiff; 3, Lauren Wynne, Captiva Spa, Caerphilly. Fantasy make-up: 1, Aitana Sanchez Garcia Hidalgo, Spain; 2, Annabelle Louise Armstrong, Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-on-Sea; 3, Edda Maria Rubio Asbrock, Spain. Avant garde: 1, Harriet Young, Jazz Hair and Beauty, Magor; 2, Harley Jay Lewis, Ocean Hair, Saundersfoot; 3, Chelsie Jade Mogford, Chic Boutique, Newbridge.
