Nicola made up to win national award

Beautician honour

A beautician who honed her skills at New College Lanarkshire’s Coatbridge campus has won the “Tanning Technician” honour at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards (SHABA).

Nicola Thomson started working in The Tanning Rooms in 2013 while she was a beauty student at the Kildonan Streetbased college.

The 27 year-old graduated in 2014 and made her way up to assistant manager and manager, then took over the business – based in her home town of Uddingston – in February last year.

Nicola said: “Taking over the salon was the biggest yet best decision I have made and I could have never got through the last year without the support of my amazing clients, staff, family, friends and my boyfriend Greig.”

She added: “I am overwhelmed and so humbled to receive the SHABA for Best Tanning Technician 2018.

“We were up against the best in the business and the award was so unexpected.

“This is the first year we entered anything like this - The Tanning Rooms also reached the final eight for Best Beauty Salon in Scotland.

“A special thanks goes to my team of talented and skilled staff; I am so lucky to have such a strong team of amazing beauty therapists – they really are the best.

“We absolutely intend on entering the SHABA’s again next year; I hope to make the absolute most of this award and take The Tanning Rooms to the next level.

“I have very exciting projects in the pipeline for the salon.”

The SHABAs are Scotland’s largest and most successful independent hair and beauty awards.

The annual competition attracts hundreds of entries, which are judged by a panel of industry professionals.

You beauty Nicola (third from left) accepts her “Tanning Technician” prize at the SHABA ceremony