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You beaut! Co Armagh businesses scoop top gongs at NI Beauty Excellence Awards

Two County Armagh businesses scooped top gongs at the Northern Ireland Beauty Excellence Awards on Sunday night.

Nearly 600 people attended the glitzy event – hosted by Pamela Ballantine – at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast.

The Barber, Armagh run by Mark McSherry picked up the Male Grooming Salon of the Year title while Rouge Beauty & Skincare Clinic in Camlough took home the Beauty & Skincare Salon of the Year award.

Also on the night, Dr Emma Clinics, won the Excellence in Marketing award.

Mark McSherry, speaking to Armagh I, said “absolutely delighted” especially after being highly commended in 2019 – this time he’s gone one better.

“The effort from choosing and sending in the right pictures, or videos, right through to what and how your social media performs, the winter nights thinking what to write in response to the questions asked, it really has been worth it.

“Obviously, they emphasised a lot of the award from Covid right through to presently, which made me think The Barber had a chance, having played by the rules, built up my business successfully again, from carrying out charity work. To me, it’s the way you’re brought up and I’m always saying ‘ye give, ye get good.”

Mark said he had a “a good feeling” as he celebrates 21 years open at the Shambles; having also just been made a Grand Master Barber.

“Yes, something was telling me more good was ahead.”

Mark added: “I also found a voicemail on my phone the day before the awards, from my best friend Joanne, who passed away recently. After I had listened to it, and being a great believer in angels, I just knew she had my back and she surely was there with me.”

The avid Manchester United fan says he making up for the disappointment of being loyal to a team struggling on all fronts presently, made worse by Liverpool’s dominance and quest for an unprecedented quadruple.

“We too have our own quadruple, with three more finals to go, including a trip to London to represent Ireland in The Salon business magazine awards, The Northern Ireland Hair and Beauty in three categories in a couple of weeks, and trying to retain both titles in the British Hair and Beauty Awards in July.

“For now, I’m still on a high. I just feel lucky to be alive doing what I love, having great clients ,and having Marisa and Sarah behind me most days to make my life, work and days all the brighter. As I always say, you’re a winner everyday you’re fit to get out of bed.”

Judging, Paul Stafford – who is also an award-winning hair stylist – said: “What an inspirational night. We have some of the most dynamic and innovative hair, beauty and aesthetic businesses right across Northern Ireland, and it was a pleasure to be in the room with them all and feel the buzz of passion for our industry.

“We received more than double the amount of entries from our inaugural event in 2019, which just goes to show how determined these businesses are in bringing new and exciting products and services to Northern Ireland, training up the next generation of stylists and clinicians, and providing valued and professional services in Northern Ireland. Congratulations to all our finalists, highly commended and winning businesses.”

Here is a list of all winners along with those highly commended:

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

Alyson Hogg MBE, Vita Liberata

Day Spa / Boutique Spa of the Year

Winner: Radiance Beauty and Day Spa

Product of the Year

Highly Commended: BTY 501 Foundation Brush

Winner: bBold Super Serum

Barbers / Male Grooming Salon of the Year

Winner: the barber ARMAGH

Hair / Beauty Training Provider of the Year

Winner: Young Nails Academy

Nail Salon of the Year

Highly Commended: The Nail and Beauty Shack, Ballymoney

Winner: Vanity Throne Nails

Makeup Studio of the Year

Highly Commended: Clare McKinney Makeup & Beauty

Winner: Natasha O’Hare Make Up

Semi or Permanent Makeup Specialist of the Year

Winner: Donna Dorothy Permanent Makeup

Hair Loss Specialist of the Year

Winner: Enhanced Hair Studio

Hair / Beauty Retailer or Supplier of the Year

Winner: BTY Cosmetics NI

Hair Extension Specialist of the Year

Highly Commended: La Bella Vita

Winner: Hair by Ciaran

Beauty & Skincare Salon to Watch

Highly Commended: Jade Holistics & Skincare

Winner: Fabulous Beauty Studio

Beauty & Skincare Salon of the Year

Highly Commended: Aspire Face and Body Clinic

Winner: Rouge Beauty & Skincare Clinic

Aesthetics Clinic to Watch

Highly Commended: Berkeley Aesthetics

Winner: B. Aesthetics by Dr Bonny

Aesthetics Clinic of the Year

Winner: Beyond Skin Clinic

Hair Salon to Watch

Winner: Boho and Sass

Hair Salon of the Year

Highly Commended: Bridgeen King Hair Salon

Winner: Jax Hair and Beauty Salon

Excellence in Marketing

Winner: Dr Emma Clinics

Cosmetic Dental Practice of the Year

Winner: Gentle Dental & Implant Clinic

Innovation of the Year

Highly Commended: Elite Aesthetic Clinic

Winner: Paste Dental

Specialist Salon of the Year

Highly Commended: The Brow Artisan

Winner: Brows & Co

Specialist Clinic of the Year

Winner: Belfast Skin Clinic

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