Local hairstylist reaches finals of national competition

A local hairstylist has reached the finals of a prestigious national hairdressing competition, the L’Oréal Colour Trophy 2013.

Jodie Austen, 23, a stylist at the Alan Bendrey & Co salon at Aztec West, has been awarded one of only 35 places as a L’Oréal Colour Trophy Young Colourist finalist.

To gain a place in the live final, Jodie submitted a ‘before and after’ model photograph which demonstrated her technical expertise and fashion awareness. The Alan Bendrey & Co stylist was quickly noticed for her ability to produce a modern and inspirational hair colour with a beautiful finish and confidently shook off stiff competition from over 1,000 entries from across the UK.

Jodie is one of just five hairdressers in the Western Region under 25 to be chosen to take part in the live final in May 2013 at the L’Oréal Professional Academy, London. During the live final Jodie will be required to demonstrate her precise cutting ability and technical excellence in colour across a number of tasks in front of a panel of industry experts.

Salon owner Alan Bendrey said:

“Jodie’s place in the final 35 is so well deserved. Her creativity, hard work and the tireless energy she puts into her career for the advancement of hairdressing is awe inspiring. I am extremely proud to have her as one of my team!”

This award is dedicated to ensuring young hairdressers across the UK have a platform to showcase their talent and uncover the potential of their career in hairdressing. There can be only one winner chosen from each of the seven regions and this group of seven will come together to form the L’Oréal Colour Academy 2013. The group will work together with some of the industry’s most acclaimed and creative hairdressers to learn new and exciting skills.

Award winning and internally renowned hairdresser Trevor Sorbie MBE explains:

“It is important to encourage our young hairdressers to push their creative boundaries. To help climb their career ladders it is important to enter competitions such as L’Oréal Colour Trophy. It is not essential to win, but taking part highlights your progression and your passion.”

“Young hairdressers need to stay enthused with their careers and they are sure to see the potential of the industry through events like these.”

More about Jodie

Jodie Austen is a full time stylist at Alan Bendrey & Co, Aztec West. In addition to caring for her expanding clientele, Jodie is always pursuing extra projects and experiences to expand her portfolio of session work. Jodie started hairdressing at the age of 18. Her creative abilities and ambitious nature inspired her to look beyond salon work salon and so she researched, studied and networked to become involved in photoshoots and start creating her own styles.

Model - Miss Erised.

“Alan Bendrey & Co has given me the wings to really fly and go for this. It’s a beautiful salon where I can look after my loyal clientele and really treat them to having their hair styled. Alan and I put together a collection of styles last year and thoroughly enjoyed working together creatively, too.”

“This year I’m excited to keep working hard and see what I can achieve now that I have such great support. Getting through to the Regional Finals of L’Oréal Colour Trophy – Young Colourist Award has been an amazing confirmation that I’m heading in the right direction and great to know that the industry’s professional judges want to see more from me.”

Photo right: Hair by Jodie Austen, for Alan Bendrey & Co. Photography by Charlotte Stone www.charlottestonephoto.com, Model – Miss Erised, from Bradley Stoke.

Jodie’s hair styles may be found in various publications including Unique Bride Magazine and Your Bristol & Somerset Weddings, as well as a front cover image and editorial with write up for Your South Wales Wedding Magazine.

Victoria Lindsay Coutts (hair by Jodie Austen). Sara Lou Thomas (hair by Jodie Austen).

Photo left: Published in Your Bristol & Somerset Weddings. Make Up Artist – Jo Priestly, www.mufumakeup.com, Photography – Jessica Augarde, Model – Victoria Lindsay Coutts.

Photo right: Published in Your South Wales Weddings. Photography – Sophie Pycroft www.sophiepycroftweddings.com, Make Up Artist – Jo Priestly MUFU Makeup, Model – Sara Lou Thomas.

And it’s not just her printed work that you may have seen. Last year Jodie styled the hair for the whole cast on a music video for The Other Tribe whose single Skirts, recently played on Radio 1.

Hair styling work is not just limited to the Bristol area for Jodie. She regularly gets called to style for photoshoots and catwalks around Bristol, Cardiff, Bath, Birmingham and London. She is working towards styling all over the UK and maybe even Europe and America.

However, don’t let this lead you to think she is not available to look after your hair! Jodie balances her in-salon hours at Alan Bendrey and Co with her session work. Working so closely in the fashion industry just supports Jodie’s in-salon creations further, as she treats her clients to cuts and colours that are innovative, new and right for them. If you’re thinking of having your hair styled for a wedding, prom or other occasion, Jodie can create an updo or style to suit and that you can wear proudly.

You can keep up to date and follow her work through her website and social networks including Facebook, twitter and Tumblr:

Main photo: Jodie Austen (left) and salon owner Alan Bendrey.

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