Bba's britain's best shave is happening this sunday - here's what to expect

The British Barbering Association's Britain's Best Shave competition is happening this Sunday 24 February at HJ Live London. Held at ExCeL London, the BBA will be bringing their boxing ring to the show where competitors will compete for the title of Britain's Best Shave. Sponsored by The Bluebeards Revenge, the live competition gives contestants the opportunity to showcase their work to their peers, those you look up to, and the barbering industry as a whole. We spoke to contestants past and present to find out a little more about the competition, why it's a must-watch event and top tips for competing in competitions: Luigi Caterino, 2014/15 winner What was the atmosphere like at the final? When I won the final it was such an amazing day. Although no one from my family was there, there were so many people shouting my name to win! It was very emotional moment for me, I'm from a different country and felt far away from my home. It was such a privilege to win Britain's Best Shave 2015. Was this the first time you’d entered a competition like this? It was. I was very nervous. It was something that I'd never experienced before. There were so many barbers on stage and so many visitors watching me – and I was being judged at the same time. Elvis Gjokaj, 2016 / 17 winner How do you calm your nerves on the day and leading up to the event? I don’t get as nervous as I used to, but if I do the best way to calm my nerves is by talking to fellow barbers at the event. I focus by just concentrating on the shave and bringing all my shaving experience on the big stage. What has been your experience since winning? Wining Britain’s Best Shave was life changing for me, I’ve been recognised at events like Salon International which has been great! I was nicknamed the 'gliding razor' during the competition, so I have actually re-branded my shop as Glide Barbers. Sophie Collins, 2016/17 runner up What made you apply to compete in Britain’s Best Shave? I noticed it in a magazine – in Wales competitions are sometimes hard to come across. I had missed out on entering cutting competitions before and I thought – why not enter something different? Shaving is what traditional barbering is all about, in my opinion. What was the atmosphere like at the final? I had so many women around the ring whistling and cheering me on to win! Even though I missed out on the title to Elvis they still came up and had watched me from the start. To this day they still follow me and they returned in 2018 to watch me again! Having that support just makes you feel amazing – it also proved to other women that they can enter too! Don't miss the UK final of Britain's Best Shave happening at HJ Live London 2019. Tickets to HJ Live London, part of Professional Beauty London, are free when you register in advance.