The winners for the TAFE Queensland Spotlight Photographic Competitions for hairdressing and make-up were announced on Friday 19 October, an opportunity to showcase the skills, imagination and creativity of the next generation of hairdressers and make-up artists.

This year, technology came to the fore with digital judging. A panel of Australian award-winning judges including Natalie Anne, The Secret Fox, Jodie XO, Max Laban, Michael Huxley and Sue Laurin, submitted their stores and feedback. “We had a great experience being able to judge the Spotlights Photographic competition. We would like to congratulate you all on a job well done,” said Mia and Michelle from The Secret Fox. The night was a great success with support from local hairdressers and make-up artists, business owners, family and friends. Everyone enjoyed the evening celebrating the success of the students.

The award included a series of categories of hairdressing and make-up. The winner of the Apprentice Visionary category was Katie James. Apprentice Visionary was a category open to all apprentices and full-time students and graduates. Through their skills, they created an on-trend catwalk look that could be seen on the runway at fashion week. The winner for Men’s Styling Visionary was Ami Gordon. The category was open to barbers, senior stylists and apprentices to showcase their men’s hair cutting skills. They could include fashion colouring techniques but were not required to.

The winner for Colour Visionary was Naamah McKinnon. Colour Visionary was an opportunity for senior hairdressers to showcase their fashion colouring techniques suitable for a hairdressing
magazine. The winner for Session Styling was Ami Gordon. Session styling was to showcase the applicant’s creativity and styling creations. This may have included colouring, cutting and styling. Session styling visionaries were encouraged to showcase what they believe would look good in a glossy magazine shoot.

The winner of the Bridal Visionary category was Debbie Schewenderling. Bridal Visionary was for senior stylists wishing to showcase their bridal and styling expertise perfect for a bridal magazine. The winner for Bridal Make-up was Shanyn Mesken. Bridal Make-up category was for make-up artists who wished to showcase their bridal make-up expertise perfect for a bridal magazine. The winner for Editorial Make-up was Courtney Baker. This category searched for applications showcasing their creativity to reflect the theme of the shoot. This may have included beauty, fantasy, creative or avant-garde inspired looks.

Readers also enjoyed this story about Beauty Without Cruelty.