Fantastical transformations showcase students’ talents

Around 250 students entered the competition, held at York Racecourse today, where skills including body painting, styling and team work were put to the test.

Categories included 1940s make up, ladies’ avant garde and bridal.

The winning students will go forward to a regional heat in Gateshead to vie for a chance to compete in the nation finals in Blackpool in March.

York College head of division for hair, beauty and holistic therapies, Jayne Laverick, said: “The college’s annual hair and beauty competition is a fantastic showcase for our students to demonstrate the skills they learn in the college’s training salons and in local salons, where many of them work as apprentices. Working under competition conditions, I am always astounded by the high standards and creativity achieved by our students.”

The competition, which was open to the public, was also a chance for the students to impress local employers, some of whom acted as judges.