Hear from past PB and HJ Award winners!
Professional Beauty and Hairdressers Journal International is thrilled to bring the very first Beauty, Hair and Spa Awards to Dublin this November. Taking place in Citywest on 8 November, during the PB&HJ Ireland annual show, this glittering awards ceremony will acknowledge the absolute best beauty, hair and spa professionals in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
We understand that the Covid-19 pandemic has been a difficult period for everyone in the industry so with that in mind we made the decision to extend the entry deadline to Friday, 28 August to allow you some extra time to get your entries in.
The PB and HJ awards in the UK are hugely respected. The key to their success is the rigorous judging process and this standard of excellence will be applied to the Irish awards. By highlighting yourself or your company as a Professional Beauty and Hairdressers Journal International Award winner, you will stand out from your competitors to clients and fellow professionals alike. Winning an award offers unrivalled recognition that you are at the top of your profession and boosts your profile, giving winners the edge over competitors. It's a sign of excellence.
Here’s what previous winners of the Professional Beauty UK awards and HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards say about their experience…
PB Residential Spa of the Year 2019: Corick Country House Hotel & Spa, Co Tyrone
“The Professional Beauty Awards are definitely worth entering. For us it was an honour to win such a prestigious award for the business. From recognition on the night of the awards, across all major social media outlets to customers and clients being able to see our award in its pride of place in our spa reception, it has been a great talking point and has no doubt brought custom to our door.
“The team were overjoyed when they heard the news. We all work so hard throughout the year and to be recognised at the end is incredible. Staff morale after was at an all-time high and this shows in every area of business.
”Entering is only the start and I would recommend any business to to do. Once you initially select your category and apply, it is well explained and easy to complete. From getting shortlisted with other major leading businesses in beauty to attending the awards itself, it is all an experience and team-building platform we are very thankful for.”
Jenna Chambers, Spa manager
PB Make-up Specialist of the Year 2019: Betsy-Dora Turner
“On applying to enter the awards, it was already an achievement for myself. I was reaching for something I've always wanted to do, yet I never had the confidence to ‘go for it’. After being shortlisted, I was on cloud nine and the reality set in on what I was about to do! Going down to London and competing for a national award felt incredible! To have the judges believe in my work was amazing, I just had to showcase everything I had to offer on the competing day and regardless of the outcome, I was happy to be part of the day.
“At the awards night when they called my name out to confirm I had won, I literally cried! It was an overwhelming experience. The feeling of confidence in myself and belief in my skills that came from the award was something unmeasurable. I finally felt – and still do – that I could do anything I put my mind to. Dedication and passion in your career through the toughest times will pull you through.
”From this I moved my premises to a bigger location, grew my team and now teach accredited make-up courses and have a clientele base larger than ever. The award got me into the local papers, an influx of clients and social media followings and an amazing feeling of gratification from the industry. The whole awards ceremony is an incredible experience. For anyone who is thinking about entering them, go for it! You just never know, it could be you on that stage, winning the award for your category.”
HJ British Hairdressing Awards, Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year 2019: Sharon Malcolm Hairdressing
“I’m still elated and grateful to have won. My clientele is delighted, and it’s also brought new business to the salon. Plus, it provides awareness and recognition for my team.
“The awards are a great platform for you to make a name for yourself, to tell people ‘this is what I’m about, this is what I do, here I am, I love the craft’. It’s all about being passionate about what you love and half of what you do is about belief, you’ve got to have belief and you’ve got to follow those dreams.
“On a personal level it’s my goal to be the first woman from Northern Ireland to win three times and get into the Hall of Fame. I won in 2014 and again in 2019, so I’m one step closer to that personal goal.”
Sharon Malcolm
HJ British Hairdressing Awards, British Colour Technician of the Year 2019:
Sophie Gibson and Jonathan Turner, Hooker & Young
“Winning British Colour Technician of the Year is a dream come true, putting us in the same place as so many other hairdressers that we have looked up to throughout our whole career. It is something that we will proud of for the rest of our lives. Our colour clientele has risen significantly, and it has brought a lot of new business to the salon. We’re so grateful to have received such an accolade.
“Winning it has always been a really big ambition of mine in my career, and to hear our names being called out was such a special surreal moment. We have been to the awards many times and it’s the highlight of the hairdressing calendar. The Yearbook collection was shot by our mentor Michael Young so winning the colour title along side Sophie made it extra special.
“The British Hairdressing Awards are the biggest awards in British hairdressing. Winning British Colour Technician has meant our Yearbook collection has had a lot of attention from international hairdressing press. I have always dreamt about seeing my work on a front cover, which has now become a reality. It has also given me an opportunity to travel and educate others, which I love. I would definitely encourage anyone who is thinking of entering the Irish awards to go for it! You have nothing to lose!”
