A SALTCOATS hairdresser has told of her joy at seeing masked up customers ‘eyes smile’ as she picked up a prestigious award in the most testing year.

Vicky Bryce, 41, owner of Abundance Hair has picked up a gold standard award as best stylist in the country after telling judges how she adapted to restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Like all workers in her industry, Vicky endured a long time away from the job she loved which left her feeling like she had lost a limb.

But after nine years in Saltcoats she was determined to get back to business and excel.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Now to cap off a year of mixed emotions she received the incredible news at a very different awards ceremony as she was given Gold in Hairstylist Of The Year at the British Hair and Beauty Talent Awards.

Vicky told the Herald: “If I can win an award during a pandemic who knows what is going to come next.

“It’s a prestigious award to be winning it is great and it keeps us upping our game every year.”

The award was won after Vicky submitted evidence of her booming salon to judges, in an essay she told them how she has achieved 90-100 per cent client retention rate and is implementing changes in line with the coronavirus pandemic.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald:

Vicky believes that some of the changes made this year have made a real difference to the industry, with cleaner, more efficient and less crowded salons.

She said: “We had to take away our waiting area and the running of clientele on a column basis is much less pressure, they know they can’t come early and they know they can’t come late, we are also spending an extra 15 minutes with every customer.”

For Vicky, coming out to lockdown was a moment she will never forget and it has reinforced her love for her job and her clients.

She said: “Coming back after so long out was quite profound, it felt as if my left arm was missing not being able to work and I had to dust down my scissors. My customers were so thankful to be back. It was a special moment one of the highlights of my career.

“I normally take pictures of the back of people’s hair when I am documenting, but after lockdown I took them from the front because you could see the smile in their eyes even though they had a mask on.

“I have to thank all my amazing staff and a big thank you to all the customers for sticking by me.”