STUDENTS at Coleg Gwent took inspiration from modern icons and fashion trends to snip their way to victory in a national competition.

The hair and beauty students, who study at Cross Keys campus and the Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, were competing against hairdressers from colleges and salons across Wales in the recently held Salon Cymru competition, held at the Swalec Stadium, Cardiff.

Salon Cymru, organised by ISA Training, is open to hairdressing and beauty learners from schools, colleges and training providers. Inspiration for the exciting, innovative categories is taken from modern icons and trends in high fashion.

Past winners have seen their careers take off in many different ways, from competing in the Paris Internationals as part of the Junior British Hairdressing Squad to appearing on primetime TV.

Claudia Gilman scooped first place in the fantasy makeup category, with Lisa West coming third.

Sorell Brown, was named first in the level three red carpet makeup category, followed by Katie Allport in second place.

Zoe Travers took third place in the first year blow dry category, while Ellie Lloyd Jones came third in the level two red carpet makeup and Jayme Browing was first for Avant Garde.

Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone hairdressing lecturer, Helena Basset said: “I’m very proud of what the students have achieved by taking their skills outside the classroom and competing in a national competition.”

Crosskeys lecturer, Cerys Tugwell added: “We had a fantastic experience at the Salon Cymru awards with fab results. The students behaved excellently and had an overall brilliant experience.”