Hair and beauty trainees at Uxbridge College showcased what they’d learned through their partnership work with industry professionals as well as in their formal training in a dynamic end-of-year show.
During their courses students take part in work experience with local employers, this year including B Relaxed at Heathrow Airport and The Hilton Hotel, which both offered part-time jobs to students, as well as in Daniel Galvin’s West End salon. They have also participated in a wide range of employer-led activities with companies including Wella, Steiner, Headmasters, Dermalogica, Harrods, The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire, Debenhams, B:UNDENIABLE cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, and Kryolan.
Local salons and spas including Hi-lite Hair & Beauty in Ruislip, Make it Lovely Hair & Beauty Studio in Greenford have also provided placements and training, and the students also prove hair and beauty treatments to the public at the Distinction training salons at the college’s Hayes campus.
The show, entitled The Final Curtain, included everything from elaborate up-dos to amazing special FX make-up, and gave students on Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 courses a chance to demonstrate their technical and creative skills in a catwalk and dance performance. Staged in the Edge theatre at the Hayes campus, the show created beautiful looks inspired by current trends and characters from famous films and stage shows.
Louise Southam, Head of Hair, Beauty & Hospitality, Early Years and Performing Arts, said: “This event is a fantastic way to showcase some of the very best skills our students have developed during their studies, thanks to their commitment and hard work as well as the excellent training and support they receive both in college and out. Hair and Beauty at Uxbridge College is fortunate enough to have the facilities, industry expertise and connections to offer the highest quality on-site learning and to continue to create and maintain excellent relationships and opportunities with employers across west London. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our students, staff and employer partners for all their efforts over the last year.”
Among the students’ choices were the musical film drama Greatest Showman, which saw the Level 3 Hair and Media Make-up re-creating the bearded lady and tattooed man, as well as including other high-impact theatrical special FX make-up in their set. Level 2 Hair and Media Make-up brought beautiful beach waves from the film Mamma Mia while NVQ Level 2 Beauty Therapy nailed the glamour of Bollywood. VRQ Level 2 Beauty Therapy focussed on burlesque beauty, while Media Makeup Level 2 chose The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. The Hairdressing students concentrated on themes including the 1970s hit films Grease and The Rocky Horror Show, the 1980s hit Hairspray, and stage shows Wicked and The Lion King also provided inspiration.
The groups worked closely with the college’s performing arts department to produce the show, with student musicians and dancers opening the set with acoustic vocals and a street dance performance, as well as providing hair and make-up services throughout the year for performing arts students.
