Paraparaumu Beach hairdresser does well in competition

DOING WELL: Elana McCarrison has done well in a national hairdressing competition.

A Paraparaumu Beach hairdresser has come second in a prestigious competition.

Elana McCarrison, 19, was runner up in the Hito Apprentice of the Year national hairdressing competition.

She entered the competition after sending in an application form based on a number of questions focusing on how entrants achieved their goals.

"For example one of my goals was to win a big competition.

"I won the Joico protege competition a couple of years ago.

"I had to say how I planned it, what I had to do to win it, and included pictures of my work."

Each of the seven regions in New Zealand had a winner with Elana declared the central regional winner.

And then all the regional winners went to an awards night at the Langham Hotel, Auckland, where Elana was announced runner up of the Hito Apprentice of the Year.

"I was so excited.

"I was scared to go up on stage and talk to everyone."

Elana, who works at Lifestyle Hair, Paraparaumu Beach, has been involved in hairdressing for nearly three years.

She chose the industry after doing work experience and enjoying it.

"I decided this is what I wanted to do."

Elana said she loved competition work where she could design her own creations, as well as the day-to-day interaction with colleagues and clients.

She has finished three years of training and sits her final exam soon before becoming a qualified hairdresser.

Long-term she wants to work at New York Fashion Week.