A TALENTED hairdresser who set up shop in Bridgwater three years ago has had her hard work recognised by some of the best in the business.
Tina Whitehead, a co-founder of Hairitage86 on King Square, is one of just six hairdressers nationwide who have been successful in being named to the Sebastian CULT Team.
Being named to the team will give Tina the opportunity to be mentored by leading UK and international artists, as well as work at exciting events such as London Fashion Week.
The Bridgwater hairdresser, from Taunton, specialises in colouring, and her talents were recognised at the London auditions as part of the application process.
She told the Mercury that Sebastian is part of Wella, and is all about bringing people together from all walks of life to find their true identity.
At her audition in London, Tina used her expertise to send a powerful message with her entry, likening her chosen style to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
"I had a trans model - it was all to do with becoming your true identity," she said.
"I depicted a butterfly wing into my model's hair."
She found out she had made the team after a tough day at work, during which she was convinced her efforts had been unsuccessful.
"I was driving home, I was really, really gutted - I almost wanted to cry,” Tina said.
However, her luck turned when she arrived at home and answered a call from an unknown number informing her that she was now part of the Sebastian CULT Team.
“I started crying, I actually cried," she said.
“It was quite surreal... I thought all day that I hadn’t got through.
“It meant so much to me, I’ve put so much work into this.
“It’s not been easy to get to where to I am.”
Tina said her achievement will 'open up so many opportunities' for her, and she believes she is the only hairdresser in the area to have ever been named to the team.
She cited her care and attention to detail as her standout feature when compared to others in the business, and said all of her clients 'get treated like family'.
Speaking on her loyal client base which has built up over her 18 years of experience, Tina said: "I wouldn’t be where I am without half of these people, they mean the world to me.
"Some of them have been there since the start.
“It’s such a personal time with them, that I do feel like I’m catching up with my friends.
"They are a huge part of my success and I am truly grateful for each and every one of them.”
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