Rachel Kirk Wins
23 Jun 2014
Hairdressing student Rachel Kirk completed her Level 2 NVQ training with The Academy Hair & Beauty Training School in March 2014, just a few months before she was awarded the L’Oreal Young Colourist Trophy NI 2014 at a star-studded ceremony at Grosvenor House, London. Rachel started her training in 2012 and joined the prestigious Natural Hair Company salon, Lisburn in April 2013. With the support of salon manager Martine Broggy, Rachel has been building on her talent through her salon experience, including training nights at which all staff work on models. For her submission to the L’Oreal Colour Trophy Awards 2014 Rachel created her own colour design and professional photos were submitted, along with her application early in 2014.
A clear sign of her skill and talent Rachel was shortlisted for the Northern Ireland regional award and was presented as a finalist at an event in the Europa Hotel, Belfast. She then travelled with the other regional finalists to Manchester in June for a gruelling, one day session in front of L’Oreal judges. Rachel had to replicate her 80’s themed style of two rubix cubes on top of her models head on a dolly head under the judges watchful eyes.
There were five entrants in the Northern Ireland regional award and Rachel was under pressure to shine on the day. The first stage was to carry out a T-Bar colour in thirty minutes using the easy meche technique, followed by two hours to replicate her design. To make this even more difficult Rachel had to take part in a three minute interview with the judges and was quizzed on her inspiration for her colour creation, what colours she had chosen and why and also who her style icons were. Sounds like an extremely difficult and demanding day! However talking to The Academy Hair & Beauty Training School after the fantastic news was announced Rachel seemed sure of what she had to do on the day, stating that the only way to get through it was to focus on her work only and not on what was going on around her. Great advice!
THE AWARDS CEREMONY
The black tie, formal awards ceremony took place at Grosvenor House, London on 23rd June and was presented by the gorgeous Caroline Flack. Rachel was delighted to be selected as the L’Oreal Young Colourist Trophy NI 2014 winner and was presented with her award from Caroline herself. Huge congratulations to Rachel on this fantastic achievement!