Students scoop Best Performing College at prestigious Hair and Beauty competition

Held at Dundee & Angus College's Kingsway Campus on Wednesday, 27 March- more than 300 competitors from seven colleges across Scotland came together to showcase colourful displays of creativity, innovation, and incredible skills.

The competition featured a variety of categories, including Fantasy Hairdressing, Bridal Hair Styling, Caribbean Carnival Themed Hair and Make-Up, Glamorous Drag Make-Up Style, Barbering, and Nail Art.

More than 50 students from across the college’s hair, barbering and beauty departments, took part in the competition, scooping up gold, silvers and bronze.

Paula Merrilees, lecturer in hairdressing at West Lothian College, said: “We had a fantastic day- the students were excited and all riled up on the bus going up to Dundee. They all put 100% into what they produced at the competition and it was all amazing work, giving us a lot of gold, silvers and bronze, and from the points we collected, we came away with the Best Performing College cup.

“We are so proud of our students, and without them there would be no competition- it was a proud mum moment.

“We are a stand-alone college compared to the other college’s that took part, so for us to come away with Best Performing College title is incredible- we are a small fish in a big pond.

“We’ve never won the cup before and I’ve been at the college 16 years now- it’s been my mission for West Lothian College to win, and we got it. It was all the students work and dedication that brought us to where we are.”

Twenty students who won a place in the Scottish heat will now go on to the 2024 National Final in Blackpool later this month.

Marion Maine, Director of AHT, said: “This is my last year with the competitions, and what a year. The staff have pulled together something amazing, and the standard of work in the competitions has been outstanding.”