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An impressive performance by 40 New College Durham students saw them finish in second place in the region’s biggest hairdressing competition on Monday 2 February 2009. The students competed against nine other colleges in the regional heat of the AHT’s (Association of Hair and Beauty Therapists) annual competition at the Federation Brewery in Gateshead. 

Success at the regional heat, which was organised by Lindsay Deswert, North East Chair of the AHT and Hair and Beauty lecturer at New College Durham, earned those teams in first, second and third position, a place in the national finals in Blackpool on 15 and 16 March 2009. 

The competition allowed students to display a wide range of skills from nail art and blow drying to complex evening styles and catwalk make-up. The team also demonstrated their creativity in a Hollywood-inspired body painting exercise.

The event culminated in a themed dance routine which took place at 3pm, allowing teams to demonstrate a range of skills.  The choreographed routines were performed by models from each college whose hair, make-up and costumes were styled by their team mates in accordance with their theme. The teams were scored by a panel of prestigious judges from the hair and beauty industry, including Graeme Smith from the Hair Olympics and Lorraine Nordmann, beauty author.

Lindsay was delighted with the students’ success: “Our students’ results reflect the outstanding talent we have at New College Durham and I am exceptionally proud of their performance.”

There were also a number of trade stands at the event, including hair extensions by Reese and Savannah, a range of hair and beauty products by Salon Services, Fancy Cut Soaps, Joan’s Jewellery and Dawn’s Henna Tattoos and Body Art. There were also stands from Tyne Tees Models and Brendan Middleton photography.

Other colleges competing at the event included Middlesbrough, East Durham, The Academy-Yorkshire, Sunderland, York College, Stanley School and Lord Lawson of Beamish.