My year with the l'oréal colour trophy young colourist academy

Rachel Kirk at Faith Hair in Lisburn won the L'Oréal Colour Trophy Young Colourist Award in 2014, earning herself a place on the Young Colourist Academy programme. Here, she tells us what her year on the team has entailed. When did you decide you wanted to be a hairdresser? I was always told that I should to hairdressing as I have the natural creative flare. I didn't start doing it officially until I was 17, although I have been working in salons since the age of 13. Where did you train? I trained in Peter Mark Lisburn for six months, then the Belfast Hair Academy. What was your first job like? My first job was amazing, although I just shampooed, cleaned the floor and chatted to the clients. It was literally a blue-rinse type salon. Why did you decide to enter the L'Oréal Colour Trophy Young Colourist Award? I decided literally after I finished tech. I just thought I might as well give it a try and put some hard work into something I love doing. How has being part of the Young Colourist Academy helped your career? It has made me more confident in working with clients and has given me a boost into deciding what I want to do with my career. It's shown me a totally different side to myself and has also made me more alert to what's going on with fashion and trends. What’s been the most inspiring thing you’ve done in your time on the team? I have learnt so much more about myself doing this course. It has helped me prove to myself that I’m not just your standard colourist, and that with a great team behind me, I can go far. I have worked with some amazing hairdressers, which has really built my confidence. I've also discovered that I love working on set shooting. I've done so many things that I never thought I could do until I won the L’Oreal Young Colourist 2014. What’s your next career goal? To enter more competitions. One day I would love to work at London Fashion Week and I'm also really interested in perhaps working on film sets with top celebrities. What piece of advice would you give your student self? Have fun and enjoy the experience of learning. Don’t stress too much that perhaps you don’t know much as everyone else, as usually they're in the same boat and feeling the same way. Watch, listen and soak it all up! I'd also suggest to put your head down and work hard. Even if you don’t get it first time, try again.