Glitzy occasion on offer at Whanganui hairdressing event

A hairdresser works on a complex style. Photo/ file

Lovers of hair, makeup and fashion have a gala afternoon in Whanganui on Sunday.

It's the 2017 Whanganui Hairdresser of the Year awards. They take place in the St Johns Club in Glasgow St and are open to the public. The door price is $10 for everyone over 11.

The New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers runs the awards once a year, organiser Carol Hayward said. All the competing hairdressers work in salons registered with the association.

"It's a real showcase for the talent here in our region. It gives hairdressers the opportunity to express their creativity - day to day we don't get that," she said.

Every second year a team of winners goes forward to nationals. This year they will be held in Waikato and the best cutters, stylists and barbers will go.

The awards begins at noon, with 16 Whanganui UCOL students competing.

After 1pm 50 more experienced hairdressers compete in seven categories, as do 12 makeup artists and beauty therapists.

It's just the second year that makeup has been part of the awards.

The competition should end with a prizegiving about 5pm. It will be followed by celebration, Miss Hayward said.