Posted: 01/04/22
Students extend their learning potential in the salon
Hairdressing tutors at West Nottinghamshire College have gone to great lengths to offer hairdressing students new professional skills to add to their training portfolio.
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Amanda Denny shared her experience of hair extensions with employers and students
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Amanda has worked in the industry for almost 20 years
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More than 50 keratin bonds were applied to model Hayley Burton's hair
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The process of adding hair extensions can take a number of hours
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Hair extensions come in many colours and shades
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Amanda levels-up the extensions using the point cutting technique to create seamless layering
Amanda Denny, of Hair Extensions by Amanda, spent a day in the college’s commercial salon with full-time hairdressing and media students, apprentices and local employers demonstrating the hair extension techniques which has earnt her a glowing reputation, as well as seeing her win awards.
Long-standing client of ten years, Hayley Burton, joined Amanda to be the model for applying hair extensions.
Amanda, who has worked in the hair extension industry for almost 20 years, operates from her home salon in Whitwell, near Worksop. Previously she was working as a paralegal executive in Nottingham but realised that she needed a change of direction.
Amanda said: “I am naturally a creative person and I soon found I was bored working in the legal industry. I decided to try hair extensions as a hobby to begin with. I discovered I really enjoyed doing it and realised that I could make this become a business.”
Amanda’s demonstration to the students incorporated a question and answer session about the art of applying hair extensions. The method she chooses to work with is keratin bonds and students were able to watch Amanda fuse over fifty bonded hair strands using a heated appliance while she explained the process in detail.
Students learnt top tips to consider when working with hair extensions, such as, to enjoy the experience, as the clients are usually in the chair for a number of hours at a time, which makes it a sociable experience as well as a creative one. Amanda also advised students to ensure clients doesn’t use home dyes on the hair extensions.
As well as gaining a reputable client list, Amanda also has reached the finals in some prestigious industry competitions in the last few years including reaching the final five in the Hairdressers Journal Hair Extensionist of the year 2018 and being a finalist in the English Hair and Beauty awards 2020.
Specialist teacher Louise Bird said: “What a fantastic experience it was to offer employers, staff and students these additional skills, learning how to build, gain and adapt themselves to the world of hair extensions. There is now an opportunity for those interested in being fully trained in hair extensions to attend Amanda’s salon for one-to-one training.
“I can’t thank Amanda enough for taking the time to come and share her experiences at West Notts College and offer to support and educate our industry specialists.”
