College make-up students get some award-winning tips from Ashley

The students carefully applied make-up for the challenge set for them by Ashley

Learners on the level two diploma in hair and make-up artistry welcomed Ashley Jones to the salons at the college’s Derby Road campus, to discover more about his journey as a hairdressing and make-up student, how his career has developed, and to get tips of the trade.

Ashley, 22,who has just graduated from the BA (Hons) in media make-up and hair with special effects at the Northern School of Creative Industries in Bradford, spoke about how he trained as a hairdresser and moved on to studying media make-up from level three at Rotherham College.

Ashley, described the many areas of the industry that he has gained experience in.

These have included working on theatrical make-up and editorial photoshoots to experience as an assistant at Cosmopolitan Magazine.

He also worked at both London and Manchester fashion weeks and was part of the largest mass casualty simulation event in London, creating special effects for mock victims.

He has also scooped a number of sector awards including wining both the 2016 Professional Beauty Warpaint Photographic Nailart competition and the 2015 Blackpool National Hairdressers’ Federation’s It’s a Drag competition.

Students were able to ask Ashley questions about his career and training before he set them a creative challenge to put their make-up artistry skills to the test on the theme of ‘editorial photo shoot’.

Ashley said: “I’ve always been passionate about creative make-up and special effects and I’m always aiming to understand techniques better.

“Editorial make-up, which the students are trying out, can take many different forms and be creative, beautiful or as extreme as you wish.

“I love to see make-up which tells a story and makes you ‘feel’ something as you look at the colours and textures.

“The students have put together some brilliant looks for me and I can see lots of potential.”

Amelia Morley, a student on the level two diploma in hair and make-up artistry, said: “I love working with make-up and I’ve done a lot of special effects make-up.

“Ashley’s visit has given me plenty of ideas and career inspiration.

“I really enjoy working with vivid colours and being brave with design.

“I’m going to do level three next and then hopefully move into industry.”