A HAIRDRESSER from the Stirling branch of Rainbow Room International has everything to celebrate, after securing an amazing accolade.

Tara Walls (17), from Fishcross, was crowned the Hairdressing Council’s Student of the Year 2014, during a ceremony down in London.

It was a fantastic achievement for Tara, who said, “I wanted to get more experience, wanted to go in for more competitions and wanted to get my name out there. I was also looking for a new challenge.” After months of hard work, photographic images, interviews and presentations at L’Oreal Professional studios in London, Tara was crowned the winner of ‘Student of the Year’ which was judged by British Hairdresser of the Year nominees Gary Hooker and Michael Young of Hooker & Young at the renowned Salon International which took place at ExCel in London.

Sunday 12 October was the finals, comprised a 50 minute practical and 10 minute interview, which took place at L’Oreal Studios in London, and then moved on to Salon International where the winners were announced later that day.

Tara, whose salon name is Angel, was delighted to be awarded the student of the year title and said “it was the best experience of my life”.

She said, “They announced it on stage. Everyone had to come out with their model and you had to explain your model and where your inspiration came from.

“I was ecstatic, I was amazed. It was the best feeling ever.” The former St Modan’s High School pupil, who is grateful to her mum, dad and mentor Jayla for their support, is due to complete her apprenticeship early next year and hopes to specialise in either colouring or barbering.

It’s a career she fell in love with at 14, when she took a job as an assistant in an Alloa salon.

She said, “All I had done was literally sweep hair and I said to my mum, ‘I love it, this is what I want to do, completely.’”