PRESS RELEASE: James Watt College student wins top UK make-up award

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James Watt College student wins top UK make-up award

A James Watt College student is being tipped as the next big thing after winning a top make-up industry accolade.

Lori Anne Allison beat off competition from budding make-up artists across the UK to scoop the student category gong in the Illamasqua Distinction in make-up Artistry 2012 Awards. The prize symbolizes a remarkable achievement for the 29 year old from Stevenston in Ayrshire, who suffered anxiety attacks for several years.

Lori Anne said: “Winning this award is really, really amazing and a bit surreal. When I went down to London I was pretty nervous but I planned ahead and visited the venue the day before to get my bearings, which helped to calm me down a bit. When it came to presentation day I had to work in front of some of the people I idolise in the industry such as the Creative Director of Illamasqua. I could barely take my eyes off the judges at the start!

“I’m still completely over the moon and proud of myself for getting this far. For a few years I suffered panic attacks and was struggling a little. I had to really force myself to go to college but I’m so glad I did it. It helped boost my confidence a lot. My advice to anyone in a similar position is to just go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Illamasqua is one of the most respected brands within the make-up sector and its annual competition is widely regarded as a window of opportunity for future industry stars. To achieve the award, Lori Anne submitted concepts and designs based around her chosen theme – Picasso and Surrealism in the 1920s. She was then invited to London where she presented her ideas and created her ‘look’ in just one and a half hours. The entry was then pitted against four other contenders in a Facebook public vote and in front of a panel of industry experts, eventually emerging as the clear winner. Lori Anne can now look forward to receiving £2000 in cash, £250 worth of make-up and a two week internship at Illamasqua’s headquarters in London.

Illamasqua’s Head of Professional Development, Spob O’Brien, commented: “This is the second year that we have run ‘Illamasqua’s Distinction in Make-Up Artistry Awards'. Last year the competition was just for students and this year we opened it up and added new categories Non-Professional, Professional and Illamasqua team Member, so the Student category was one on its own and meant that the competition would be tough.

“Last year we thought the standards were high but the bar has been raised and students are really understanding graphic and abstract design combined with beauty. It was a joy to watch their creations unfold and each so different. Lori Anne was very quiet, studious whilst she worked. She gave off an air of professionalism as she executed her design and even finished well within the 90 minutes allocated for the task. We’re really looking forward to welcoming her to head office to see how she will adapt to working with Illamasqua.”

Lori Anne’s amazing journey began at the North Ayrshire Campus of James Watt College in 2008 when she managed to gain enough confidence to enrol on a hairdressing course. After two years of studying hairdressing, lecturers saw some of her make-up work and encouraged her to develop her talent further. Lori Anne moved on to the NQ make-up Artisry before progressing on to study HNC Fashion Photography Make-up.

Elaine Muir, Make-up Artistry lecturer at James Watt College, commented: “When I first met Lori Anne she was studying hairdressing and I knew her heart just wasn’t in it. Her friend mentioned that she had a real talent for make-up and I asked to see some of her work. I was blown away from the outset. James Watt College has an incredibly rich history of producing talented make-up artists, but Lori Anne is far and away one of the best we’ve ever taught. Her style is faultless and it just seems as natural as breathing to her. I truly believe this is just the beginning and an amazing career lies ahead for Lori Anne.”

-ENDS-

Images:

Image 1: A shot of Lori Anne’s model after her make-up treatment.

Image 2: Lori Anne Allison.

Image 3: Lori Anne at work during the competition.