Three local beauty businesses lifted top accolades at a prestigious awards ceremony hosted in the Europa Hotel, Belfast on Sunday night (June12), with professionals gathered for a glamorous night put on to acknowledge the best hair and beauty specialists that Northern Ireland has to offer.
Velvet Rose, Galgorm, was awarded Beauty Salon of the Year NI Overall Winner, while Olivia Hicklin (Liv Lo Beauty), received the Beautician of the Year award, at the Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards 2022. Nikki Watson Beauty (Carnlough) was awarded Lash Extensions Specialist of the Year.
The NI Hair and Beauty Awards 2022 are an event dedicated to those who work hard to improve our appearance and make us look and feel on top of the world.
The Awards showcased those who promote excellence, set the trends and take care of our hair, nails, lashes and make-up needs in the best possible way.
The event also recognised the most distinguish, the most stylish and comfortable salons in Northern Ireland, whose lovely atmosphere and talented team, make them stand out amongst the rest.
The star-studded evening was hosted by Rebecca McKinney. She presented the winners as voted for by the public and congratulated them for being at the forefront of the industry.
For Claire Baxter, owner of Velvet Rose, it was a poignant night. The Ballymena woman was unable to attend the event herself after her father suddenly passed away when he was disembarking a cruise ship in Barcelona, Spain.
Claire described the night as bitter sweet, but dedicated the award to the memory of her beloved father. Speaking to Love Ballymena, Claire said:
“I want to thank all the girls for attending on my behalf and picking up such an achievement.
“I am so so proud of all of their hard work over the past year, where the salon is growing from strength to strength and for making the salon a home away from home!
“With our loyal clients and my dedicated team we are extremely honoured to accept this award.
“We did this for my dad”.
Olivia Hicklin, owner of Liv Lo Beauty, Clough, was delighted to be awarded Beautician of the Year - a fantastic achievement considering the large number of individuals involved in the profession across the province.
Olivia told Love Ballymena:
“I was so shocked to win! It is just so lovely to be supported so much by my fabulous clientele.
“I went in to the pandemic with no job, but managed to build a business from scratch from my home.
“Over the next few months I am looking forward to moving into my new purposed-built salon cabin.
Olivia added: “I am just really grateful.”
Nikki Watson Beauty (Carnlough), also was awarded Lash Extensions Specialist of the Year.
Commenting on her award, Nikki said:
“I cannot thank my clients enough for their continued support of love for my business Never did I think I would win, but I did!
“Exciting things to come for my business this is only the beginning.”
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards 2022 said:
“The winners reflect the creativity and talent that flows within the profession. These specialists inspire others when it comes to the big and competitive world of beauty.
“The Awards provided a platform to thank those that deliver high class services, making sure clients are left with the best of impressions.
“The winners lead the way in providing innovative treatments and are role models for the rest of the beauty world.”
“We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their amazing achievements.”
VELVET ROSE
Website: www.velvetrosegalgorm.com
LIV LO BEAUTY
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/livlobeauty/
NIKKI WATSON BEAUTY
The winners of The Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty Awards 2022 are:
• Lash Extensions Specialist of the Year: Nikki Watson Beauty (Carnlough)
• Beautician of the Year:
Olivia Hicklin (LivLo Beauty, Ballymena)
• Brow Specialist of the Year:
Bbrows Studio (Maghera)
• Semi / Permanent Make Up Specialist of the Year:
Andrea Moore Make up & Brow Specialist (Coleraine)
• Skin Clinic of the Year:
I.O.U Skin and Beauty (Doagh)
• Masseuse of the Year:
Nakita Cuddy (NC sports massage, Ballygawley)
• Spa of the Year:
Kintala Resort & Spa (Dungiven)
• Tanning Salon of the Year:
Icon Tanning, Hair and Beauty Salon (Limavady)
• Nail Salon of the Year:
Oh My Nails Tanning & Beauty (Coleraine)
• Nail Technician of the Year:
Bethany (Nailed it by Bethany, Portadown)
• Make Up Salon of the Year:
Chloe Henning MUA (Newry)
• Freelance Make Up Specialist of the Year: Catherine Massey Make Up Artist (Downpatrick)
• Best Customer Experience:
The Beauty Salon Ballyholme (Bangor)
• Local Beauty Salon of the Year:
Miss Ellie’s (Dromore)
• Beauty Team of the Year:
Decorum Aesthetics (Newtownards)
• Cosmetic Clinic of the Year:
True You Clinic (Londonderry)
• Salon Ambience of the Year:
Lotus Mobile Massage (Bangor)
• Beauty Salon of the Year County Fermanagh:
HER Beauty (Enniskillen)
• Beauty Salon of the Year County Tyrone:
Serene Beauty (Dromore)
• Beauty Salon of the Year County Armagh:
Hollywood Tan & Glam (Lurgan)
• Beauty Salon of the Year County Antrim:
Velvet Rose Galgorm (Ballymena)
• Beauty Salon of the Year County Down:
Kalo Beauty Lounge (Comber)
• Beauty Salon of the Year County Londonderry:
Kat B Nails (Londonderry)
• Beauty Salon of the Year Belfast:
HD Beauty
• Beauty Salon of the Year Overall Winner:
Velvet Rose Galgorm (Ballymena)