Loren Waugh, 22, from Bournemouth, was placed 17th in the country in the Hair and Beauty Awards 'hair stylist of the year' category in Birmingham on June 1. Shortlisted in the 'best of blondes' category also, Loren attended the final at the ICC with family and her boyfriend. She said: "It was a red carpet event with dinner and drinks that was attended by about 2,000 people.
"I didn't know it was in Birmingham until they sent out the tickets but it just made it feel a bit more prestigious going all that way to represent Bournemouth." Loren entered the awards after she decided to start her own business, Hair by Koren Waugh, and leave the salon where she trained for seven years and began her career, aged 15. Now renting a chair at Lashes and Locks, Road, she stated it feels like a massive achievement to be named in a nationwide awards.
She said: "Last year they did it regionally so I understand that there were a few others from Bournemouth last year but this year it was national so it does feel like a bit more of an achievement. "I was in the salon yesterday and there were flowers and they were all watching because it was live streamed and having a at home which was really nice and it felt like I was with everyone." Loren said that since she started her business in May 2023, she has found the environment at Lashes and Locks amazing and said she is happy to find "a salon that I love".
Asked what has motivated her, Loren stated she loves her job and is grateful to have found her p.