Few shortcuts just hard work

WELL DONE: Tegan Anderson, 19, at Cutting Edge salon, won highly commended in the apprentice category at an Australia-NZ competition.photo/Lynda Feringa

A YOUNG Masterton apprentice is making her mark in the hairdressing industry.

Tegan Anderson, 19, is the youngest and only Kiwi hairdresser in the highly commended apprentice category in the Keune Tinta Colour Trophy competition.

The apprentice at the Cutting Edge in Solway was excited to get the award.

"Coming from a small town, it is a big deal.

"I started when I was 16 so it's a huge achievement for someone my age."

It was the first time Tegan has entered the competition, which had hundreds of entries from hairdressers, junior and senior, from all over Australia and New Zealand.

To enter, she had to find a model, completely transform their hair and submit professional photos.

Tegan said she has always wanted to be a hairdresser.

"Ever since I was little, watching how quickly they moved, it's always been a dream of mine."

She began studying the trade at UCOL Wairarapa at the age of 16 and started her apprenticeship at Cutting Edge in 2011.

Tegan is almost finished her apprenticeship and only has one final test left.

She said entering competitions added to her repertoire.

"I love doing competitions. It's good to get other certificates behind you."

Proud mum Janice Anderson said all the hard work being an apprentice was paying off.

"Mum and dad are both proud. She's not even 20 and she's almost qualified."

Tegan, who specialises in colour, has clear ambitions for her future.

She said in about five years she and her partner plan to move to Australia where she would like to work for Vogue doing hair-styling for fashion editorials.

Next year she wants to take part in styling at the World of Wearable Arts show in Wellington and at Fashion Week.

For the nearer future, however, she said she is interested in building up her clients at the salon.

Keune is a European-based, salon-only hair product company founded in 1922. Twenty judges from five countries are involved in judging the highly commended entries, finalists and winners.