The winner by a head ...
It was all about keeping a cool head for the 29 professional hair stylists competing at the annual Regional Fashion Hair Design Awards on Sunday.
The Bay's top hairdressers worked their magic - cut, colour and style - with the clock ticking and under the watchful eyes of top judges at the Rodney Green Centennial Hall in Napier.
The results were nothing short of breathtaking, as the transformed models displayed an eclectic mix of hairstyles, ranging from Jessica McDermott's choppy jagged look in an array of purples and streaks of yellow to Stephanie Whiley's cherubic head full of curls.
The presence of top New Zealand hairdresser Cathy Davys, who oversaw the day's judging, added to the nerves of some competitors but she was able to offer highly valued feedback.
Hawke's Bay Association of Registered Hairdressers president Anna Henricksen was impressed with this year's competition. "It was amazing," she said. "It was a step up from last year, there was lots of inspiration, a lot of time and a lot of effort went into the overall look."
Although judges kept a critical eye on the cut, colour and hairstyle, Mrs Henricksen said the overall presentation including make-up and outfit, contributed to 30 per cent of each hairdresser's score.
She said the vibrancy of colours was a stand out feature, and copper tones were particularly dominant, while stylist's offbeat use of asymmetry, exaggerated height and texture proved there was nothing ho-hum about women's short hair.
Jo Smith from Decadence was "really stoked" to win overall apprentice champion, after practising her looks three times a week for the past month. Caroline Gichard, of Belissimo, won the senior championship.
Natasha Bird from M>Phosis Hair Studio took out the overall Oceanic Masters Award, which would see her compete against the best in Australasia in Melbourne in August.
Hairdressing students from Premier Hairdressing College and EIT also got a taste of the action. Year one students competed for the best hair up style, and second years with the best blow wave.
OVERALL CHAMPION
Apprentice - Jo Smith, Decadence
Senior - Caroline Gichard, Belissimo
TOP CUTTER
Apprentice - Jo Smith
Senior - Carys Clafferty
TOP STYLIST
Apprentice - Cherie Brightwell
Senior - Caroline Gichard
NZARH PPNZ OCEANIC HAIR DRESSING MASTER AWARD
Natasha Bird
Oceanic Hair Dressing Master Award - the cut
Natasha Bird, M>Phosis Hair Studio
Oceanic Hair Dressing Master Award - the conversion
Sharne Pearson, Decadence
SMG Urban Women's/Men's Fashion Cut
Apprentice - Chris Lucy, M>Phosis Hair Studio
Senior - Michaela Willis, Revive
Hair Professionals
SMG Directional Women's/Men's Fashion Cut
Apprentice - Jo Smith
Senior - Carys Clafferty, M>Phosis
Hair Studio
SMG Urban Day Style
Apprentice - Stacy Ballard, Decadence
Senior - Natasha Bird, M>Phosis
Hair Studio
SMG Night Hair
Apprentice -Cherie Brightwell, Visage
Senior - Caroline Gichard
NZARH Directional Colour - open
Nicole Ireland, Head High
NZARH Urban Colour - open
Kelly Marshall, Pure Hair
Pre-apprentice trade,
year 1
Yahna Pham, EIT
Pre-apprentice trade,
year 2
Tania Gardner, EIT
