Queens and zombies bag string of awards for UCB at national hair and make-up competition

Zombies, queens and mummies were among the stunning creations produced by budding hair and make-up artists from University College Birmingham as they bagged a string of awards at a national competition.

A group of current and former Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students entered the Association of Hair and Therapists (AHT) Hair and Make-up Competition held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

And they scooped awards in a variety of timed categories, with third year BA student Viktoria Stanislavova claiming first place in the Glam Drag Make-up category.

UCB graduate Beth Gauntlett's striking Queen Elizabeth creation took first place in the Multiple Piece Prosthetics: Kings and Queens category, while fellow graduate Kristina Borovac came third in the Film and TV Make-up: Sinister Characters category with her zombie creation.

There was also a clean sweep of awards for the University in the professional Fantasy Hair and Make-up category, with UCB students taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd place – despite only being entered into this category late on due to a change of rules.

First year FdA student Elysia Fisher scooped the top award in the category, with Sophie Donaldson (second year FdA) finishing second and Rose Lyden (second year BA) taking third.

Meanwhile, BA student Akvile Kucinskaite and FdA students Ami-Jean Lindsay, Aunjelle Almond and Ying Cheung also demonstrated their creativity at the competition with a variety of creations including drag make-up, a mummy and even The Joker.

Praising the group, Graduate Teaching Assistant Megan Foster said: "The students all did a marvellous job, and with a last minute change to plans – the students entering fantasy make-up adapted quickly to the new category, which is a credit to them all.

"This experience has allowed them all to grow in confidence and ability. The pressure of a competition is character building, and allows people to develop their skill at working to a time limit under a pressurised environment, which is a must for anyone wanting to work in the make-up industry."

It was not the only competition success for UCB's Specialist Hair and Media Make-up students and graduates recently, with both Beth Gauntlett and Kristina Borovac also winning awards at the Warpaint Make-up Championships earlier in the year.

The duo scooped 1st and 2nd place respectively in the Film and TV category, while third year BA student Paulina Chruslicka took 3rd in the Runway category at the event in London.

Find out more about our hair and make-up courses, as well as other courses within UCB’s School of Sport and Creative Services here.