'I completed my level 3 CIBTAC aesthetician and electrolysis qualification in 1996 through City College Plymouth. Directly from the I became a Stiener and worked on cruise ships in the Carribean, Mexico and USA. I worked on 5 different ships and this was the foundation for a strong work ethic and dedication to the beauty industry.

I then went to the Middle East to work, starting in the beautiful country of Oman and ending in the glamorous Abu Dhabi & Dubai.

From there I worked for 2 years in a very busy day spa in Bermuda, one of the most beautiful places I have been.

When returning to the UK my career became focused on spa management and development within 5 stars hotel spas in the West Country along with a long career in post graduate and further education, teaching the next generation of beauty therapists. I have work alongside and for many product houses and continued with Professional Development.

Today I bring all this knowledge and experience to my clients as The Facialist Plymouth and I couldn't be happier, I love my time spent with my clients and their skin journey's. This industry has brought me so much positivity and wonderful experiences, working on A list celebrities, royalty and guests in some of the most amazing places and feel truly blessed to still be in the industry now walking my path as I choose it to be.

I wish every entrant the best of luck and I feel privileged to be part of this process for you."

IHi I'm Laura and I am the owner and founder of Lotus Beauty Lounge. I joined the beauty industry in 2017 after a career change and it has changed my life! I gained my level 2 and 3 beauty therpay and qualified as a teacher in 2022 gaining my level 4 in teaching and education.

I opened my very first salon in May last year, and I have been blessed by other beauty and aesthetic professionals joining me to work in the salon creating one big umbrella, supporting each other's business all under one roof.

My passion lies in holistic therapies and creating abstract nail art. My aim is to create an all inclusive salon and empower those new to the industry, to have somewhere to work, to build on their knowledge, their confidence and their skills.

I am incredibly honoured to be chosen as your Judge for the SWBeauty Awards, judging the Holistic and Nails category. I can not wait to meet all of you, celebrating our determination and all of our hard work, getting us to where we are today

​I am an award-winning Waxing Specialist with three years of active industry experience, a thriving waxing studio in the heart of Bridgwater, Somerset, and a diary which is booked out for weeks ahead full of amazing waxing clients.
I have been privileged to work in various sectors of the beauty and waxing industry for the past 6 years. My beauty and waxing career started whilst I was working as the Marketing & PR Manager for an established and well-loved UK based waxing brand. This opportunity allowed me to become fully immersed in the world of waxing and gain an amazing insight into all aspects of my chosen industry. Including the processes of how wax is manufactured, the reason why certain ingredients are used, and ultimately how the products are put into practice to achieve the highest quality results for our clients.
After working in a salon for a couple of years building up my client base, I decided to take the plunge in July 2024 and open my own waxing studio. My ethos from day one has been to create a waxing environment which is relaxed, professional, and hygienic. I am a strong believer in transforming waxing into an experience, rather than just a treatment. Waxing should be something our clients look forward to in the same way they do when they have their lashes or nails done, which is why my waxing treatments have, and always will be client focused and lead.
I am passionate about continuously staying present within my industry to be able to continue offering treatments to my clients which work for them. Whether this is through furthering my own training/knowledge, testing new products on the market, or networking with industry leaders.
Being asked to be an Expert Judge for the SW Hair & Beauty Awards such an honour! I want to find other waxing specialists and experts within the South West who are just as passionate about providing highly quality experiences for their clients. Specialists who prioritise client comfort, hygienic practices, and the overall client experience above all else, and who are standing out against their competition because of this.

Hi, My name is Carlisha Dann, I’m located in Plymouth & Im so so honoured to become the Southwest Hair & Beauty Awards Make Up Artist Judge! 

I have over 9 years experience in the make up industry & I was a finalist for the Southwest Wedding Awards in 2024. Throughout my career I dedicated myself to train further into my industry and have trained with some of the best make up artists in the UK to expand my knowledge. Such as Stacey Marie & Katie Daley. 

My business is mostly known for being the first to bring accredited make up courses to Plymouth being Plymouth’s first ‘Make Up Academy’ which was such a success at the beginning of my career. I now specialise in Bridal Make Up which i LOVE & is my passion. 

My business has been featured in magazines and newspapers throughout the years & I think it’s so so important to enter local business awards that tailor to your talent so that you can get the recognition you deserve. Sometimes the make up & beauty industry can be very competitive but I think it’s super important to share your talent with fellow artists and meet and become friends with other individuals that share the love of your passion, so together you can grow! 

I can’t wait to see all of the finalists talent, I know so many talented make up artists in the industry from all over the Southwest and I can’t wait to give a talented artist an award of what they deserve.

Hello everyone, my name is Danny and I am a 22 year old mens hairdresser based in Torquay.

I started my hair career in a hair salon at the age of 16 as an apprentice, and from here worked my way on to the salon floor. After 2 years in the salon learning a lot about both mens and women’s hair, I decided to focus on mens hair and started in a barbershop at 18.

Working for one of the biggest mens hair salons in the world, I learnt a lot about the fusion between traditional barbering and modern mens hairdressing, and have since continued to develop my skills.

At the age of 20 years old, I decided to take the leap and open my own salon, which has since gone from strength to strength, building a strong team of barbers with some of best talent in the area.
In the past year, I have also spent some time educating both in my own salon and in other salons and academies, which I have worked with both barbers and hairdressers of all abilities.

Last year I lead my team to win the best barbershop in Devon at the England Business Awards that was held in Exeter, a massive achievement for both myself and my team.
We hope to continue being nominated and competing for more awards over the next year too.

I am excited and honoured to be asked to be an expert judge for the SW Hair & Beauty Awards, and look forward to working with the best talent in the area!

My name is Sophie and I am the proud owner of Sophie Amber Beauty - a home based beauty space offering a wide range of treatments including intimate waxing, a variety of massage treatments, facials, spray tanning and brow lamination using in my experience the best products and standards of care.

On leaving school I was encouraged to pursue a path of higher education. My teachers didn’t think training in Beauty Therapy would be maximising my potential. However I disagreed and still do to this day. My reason being I feel it is the most beautiful job in the world to make someone feel truly special when they leave my beauty space. Leaving any worries or anxieties of life at the door and feeling lighter.

I have been a Beauty Therapist for over 11 years and am proud to have my own business that has gone from strength to strength. I now have a loyal, trusted and regular client base who I have really been able to form positive relationships with over the years going through our ups and downs of life together. I am always ready to meet new faces though! I particularly love Brow Laminations and Deep Tissue Massage which people often comment on my excellent pressure and techniques.

I simply want to make people feel good and that is what I believe the core to being a brilliant Beauty Therapist is.

From a humble start in a small Fife salon back in 2007, he was trained by award-winning salon owners who gave him the foundation to build an incredible career in hair. With a passion for colour and a personality that keeps clients coming back, he’s turned hair appointments into unforgettable experiences — even offering tarot readings during colour processing!

A true people-person, his clients often feel more like friends, and many have followed his journey since his days as a Saturday boy — always telling him he belonged on TV. Fast forward to now, he’s not only a brilliant stylist but also a familiar face on screen. After training in TV presenting and moving to London in 2019, he’s gone on to appear in reality shows, music videos, modelling campaigns, and even EastEnders!

You might recognise him from his recent appearance on E4’s Love Triangle — and now he’s bringing his experience, charisma, and eye for talent to the judging panel!