Nicola is a snip above the rest as she is crowned top colourist

Nicola is a snip above the rest as she is crowned top colourist

13 January 2016

THE talent and creativity of hairdressing students from the South Eastern Regional College was showcased at the Northern Ireland Hairdressing Championships which took place recently at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast. 

Some of the finest student hairdressers from across the Province competed against each other in 15 categories including junior day style, party girl, ladies day style and ladies hair-by-night.

The aspiring hairdressers competed before a large crowd of supporters, which included students and College staff and renowned representatives from the hairdressing industry.

Nicola Rogan, who studies women’s hairdressing at the College’s Downpatrick campus, beat off stiff competition to win the junior creative colour category. Nicola also finished runner-up in both the junior day style and overall junior champion of the year categories. 

The competition challenged competitors to create a range of creative hairstyles and colours for their client, under challenging time constraints, all under the watchful eye of the judges. 

Sharon Rogan, a hairdressing tutor at the Downpatrick campus, said the students worked very hard learning new styling techniques.

“The competition was a nice way to finish the first term and let the students showcase their skills whilst competing against their peers in a fun environment,” she continued.

“The standard of the competition was extremely high and the judges had a very difficult job trying to pick the winners. I would like to congratulate everyone who took part. I am sure it proved a valuable experience for everyone.”

Sharon also thanked the judges for passing on some of their knowledge to the students, explaining the competition produced “amazing creativity” from students, with the judges bowled over with the standard of skill.”

The judging panel, which consisted of prominent hairdressers and salon owners, was extremely impressed with the stylish performances of each of the individuals who took part, despite the stringent time constraints that the competitors’ faced.

The Downpatrick College’s commercial salons are open to the public.