A 17-year-old from Caerphilly has won three awards at the Salon Cymru competition.
Ellie Branch, who is an apprentice hairdresser at Captiva Spa, was the overall winner of the competition and won first prize in the Festival Hair category, as well as the Avant Garde cateogry.
The Salon Cymru awards are a yearly competition for hairdressing learners from schools, colleges and training providers across Wales.
Ellie, who only started as a hairdresser in September, said it was her boss who encouraged her to enter the competition.
Ellie said: “I’m not the sort to want the limelight and so I was really nervous about entering. I’ve really enjoyed it though.
“At first I felt a bit scared but once I got going I was just in my bubble doing my thing and I loved it.”
The competition, which was hosted by BBC Wales’ Lucy Owen, was held at Cardiff University’s Students Union and was attended by more than 500 people.
More than 130 apprentice hairdressers, barbers, and make-up artists took part in the event, which was organised by ISA Training, which is Wales’ largest independent hair and beauty training provider.
Jude Holloway, Chief Operating Officer for ISA Training’s parent company, Educ8, said: “Today we saw some of the very best work-based learning in action. It’s been a fantastic day which has given apprentices an amazing platform to showcase their talents. They have worked exceptionally hard to be here and have seen what it’s like to work under pressure. We hope everyone who took part found it both beneficial and inspirational.”