Art, style and strands of hair will merge at the Skills Canada regional hairstyling competition.
Belmont Grade 12 students Tanis Jackson, Shantelle Hutchinson and Heather McBride have their scissors sharpened and are ready compete.
“Tanis is a very responsible student, she is independent and likes to try new things,” said Belmont teacher Rachel Sandberg. “She asks how to to do stuff outside what we are learning in class.”
The three students have been practising techniques and planning styles for the competition.
For Jackson the toughest part is working on a mannequin.
“You have to think of the style and then come up with all the ideas. When you are working on an actual person they can tell you what they want,” said the 17-year-old.
She also just started learning cuts and colours, but is eager to compete.
Hutchinson and McBride are well schooled in cut and colour techniques and the teacher has high exceptions for all three Belmont competitors.
“Shantelle is very driven and is going to finish school ahead of time, the work is always well done and she always goes above and beyond,” Sandberg said. “Heather is very energetic and creative.”
The competition has two parts. First competitors will cut, colour and style the hair on a mannequin head. After judges rank them, stylists will comb out and begin the second round which includes adding hair and ornamentation.
“It’s almost hair sculpting and art than it is for functional wear,” said the teacher. “This really challenges the kids and gets the creative juices going.”
Starlette Tolver, a professional hair styling competition judge will attend along with four other hair professionals from the community. Belmont hosts the competition Friday with 16 students from across Greater Victoria competing.
“This gives the students an opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned and their art and their craft,” Sandberg said.
The winner will move on to provincials in Abbotsford, April 17. The provincial winner moves to nationals June 5 and 6 in Vancouver.
Regionals are open to the public March 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 211 at Belmont secondary, 3067 Jacklin Rd.