A young Perth stylist has scooped a top place in the hairdressing world’s equivalent of X Factor.
Paulin McCole (20), an aspiring talent with the John Gillespie Salon team in St John Street, has been named one of the five top young stylists in the UK, winning a coveted place on hair care giant Schwarzkopf’s renowned Young Artistic Team 2013.
Paulin’s headline victory came following rigorous live auditions in London where she had to create and present her unique look in front of some of the leading names in the hairdressing industry.
The former Perth Academy pupil said: “It was really nerve-wracking but a real buzz as well. I was up against hundreds of the most talented young hairdressers in the UK, so knew I had to pull off something special to secure my place in the five-strong team.
“I couldn’t believe it when word came through several days later that I was one of the chosen few it was just brilliant.”
Paulin’s boss stylist John Gillespie said he had no doubts she would be one of the future stars of hairdressing.
He said: “This is the first time I have ever put a young stylist through to this competition and I did so because we could all see we had something really special at the salon in Paulin.
“She has a precocious talent really exciting and is a super personality. She is destined to go far and being part of the Schwarzkopf Young Artistic Team is a fabulous stepping stone in her career.
He added: “We’re all really proud of her. She’s achieved something for herself, for the John Gillespie Salon team and for Perth that has never been done before.
“To head off to London and take on the best young talent from across the UK in front of the hairdressing world’s most critical assessors is amazing in itself it’s the hairdressing world’s equivalent of the X Factor. To win is just utterly brilliant.”
Paulin started work with John Gillespie straight from school four years ago.
She travelled to London for the auditions with her model and friend Tanya McDonald, from Perth.