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The Corporation

Posted: 12/07/17

Paula’s made-up with first place

A beauty therapy student from West Nottinghamshire College has flourished with her creative skills earning her first place in a regional heat of a national competitions.

Paula (left) celebrated her first place with Bradford College's head of beauty and spa

Paula Bartnik, 21, who is studying the VRQ Level 2 in Beauty Therapy, competed at Bradford College with sixty beauty students from 25 colleges and training providers across the region in the heats of the prestigious WorldSkills UK competition.

In the competition, held on 30 June, competitors were asked to complete three beauty therapy tasks, to test their artistic and technical abilities. This included:

  • A one hour thirty minutes challenge - providing a facial consisting of cleanse, tone and moisturise followed by a face mask on a model.
  • Applying day make up using concealer, foundation, contouring, blusher, eyebrow and eye products and lip products.
  • A thirty-minute challenge - applying a nail enamel to nails using nail art on both ring fingers to match a provided image.

Paula, from Mansfield, said: “It was quite challenging trying to showcase all my skills in such a tight timeframe but the competition was very well-organised and I really enjoyed it.

“I’m applying to study the Level 3 Spa qualification next and I’m hoping to begin a part-time job as a therapist to gain lots more experience.

“I know I will have to work hard to be successful in the UK Finals but I’m in good hands with my training at West Notts.”

Lesley Baggaley, salon receptionist and technician at the college’s Revive salon, accompanied Paula to the heats. She said: “Paula’s competition attitude was outstanding as she continually practiced her skills in college and in her own time, in the weeks leading up to the challenge.

“The treatments she performed on the day were to a five star standard and when her name was announced as winner, she was proud and beaming, as was I.”

WorldSkills UK Competitions bring together students, apprentices and young people from across the country to compete to be the best in their chosen skill.

Heat winners will have the opportunity to progress to the national competition at The Skills Show, held in Birmingham in November.

At the finals, judges seek to select members to compete for Squad UK and ultimately Team UK which could see them compete on the world stage.