Weymouth students cut and styled their way past tough competition to reach the final of a national competition. 

Gracie Daniel, 19, and Francesca Robinson, 25, are both hairdressing students at Weymouth College. 

They were selected to go through to the final of nationwide competition Wella XPOSURE 2017 after their performance in the regional heats. 

Seven of the fifteen regional finalists were picked from Weymouth College after the initial photographic stage. The action packed day saw the girls fully style their models from hair to make-up, in the hopes of grabbing a place in the next round. 

Gracie and Francesca emerged with two places in the national final in London on Monday, June 5. 

Gracie said: “I was really nervous. We sat in this big room with about forty other people.

“We all got given a number. When we went up we had to wet our model’s hair, it had to be inspected to make sure it was wet enough. Then they told us we had an hour.”

Francesca said: “The judges came round and asked us questions about what we were doing and what colours we were using. It was quite intimidating. 

“I would have never expected to go through.”

The competition is aimed purely at hairdressing students, letting them get their first steps on the competition ladder, and showcases new and upcoming talent in the industry.

Only four finalists from each of the regional heats went through to the UK final and the girls are feeling proud of their achievement.

They spoke of being eager but nervous to have reach the final stage.

Gracie said: “It’s a bit scary but I’m really excited. I’ve practiced my style on models a couple of times.”

The UK final is taking place on June 5 at the new Wella World Studio in London

The overall Gold winner of the final will win a tailor-made mentoring day with a leading icon at the new London studio, £1000 towards funding their salon development, a Wella toolkit worth £500 and an XPOSURE trophy.