EXPERTS from the hair and beauty industry graced the red carpet last night to celebrate the 2016 Look Awards.

The ceremony was held in association with Phorest Salon Software and supported by MHFed, Defactosalons.com, Beautiful Brows and Lashes Professional, Fake Bake, The Edinburgh Clinic and City of Glasgow College.

Hosted by Jean Johansson, guests from across Scotland celebrated at The Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow. The event kicked off with a champagne reception and goody bags were also provided with gifts being received by Fake Bake and OSMO.

Winners collected awards across 21 categories including the Outstanding Contribution award, supported by Phorest Salon Software, which went to Annmarie Fraser, for her dedication to the NHS Hospital Salon.

Connor Keppel, head of marketing of Phorest, said: "We are so honoured to have been part of the Look Awards and very proud to have presented the award for Outstanding Contribution to Annmarie Fraser. Huge congratulations, it is truly well deserved.

"We also want to say well done to all of the other winners and hope to see you at next year’s awards."

Charlie Taylor Hair & Beauty collected two awards for Defacto Hair salon of the Year (large), and also for the Hair Stylist of the Year award which went to Charlie Taylor.

Marcus Macleod, owner of Defacto, said: "It's been a fantastic night, truly amazing to see all these people and businesses being honoured for their contributions to the industry and who doesn't love to get dressed up and to have a good time.

"Congratulations to the winners and to all the nominees."

The Best Barbers category, sponsored by MHFed, went to House Martin Barbers, winners of last year’s One to Watch category, with a commendation also being awarded to Davie the Barber.

Adam Sloan, owner of MHFed, said: “House Martin Barber Shop’s entry was outstandingly strong. They were commended at last year’s awards and it's great to see them progress and become this year’s winners.

"Davie Walker's barber shop has deservedly picked up the commendation award. He travels the UK representing Scotland as an educator. This man is one to watch for the future.”

The Spa at Blythswood Square took home the award for Best Spa while the Expert Make-up Artist of the Year award went to Lynsey C Reilly.

Businesses making excellent use of social media were also recognised on the night.

The Best Use of Social Media Award, sponsored by Fake Bake, was scooped by BLOW.

Victoria Halliday, head of business development at Fake Bake, said: “We are thrilled to have attended The Look Awards. It was a fantastic night and lovely to meet the category finalists and the well-deserved winners. We were proud to be associated with such a prestigious event."

New businesses were also recognised on the night with the Best Start-up award, which was sponsored by City of Glasgow College. The Singing Barber: Gentleman’s Club picked up the award for 2016 with a commendation being awarded to ONYX Salon.

Elspeth McCallum,industry academy head of the Leisure and Lifestyle Faculty at City of Glasgow College, said: “We were delighted to be involved with this fabulous event again this year.

"City of Glasgow College would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and hope to see you all again next year. Thank you to The Herald for organising this fantastic opportunity to showcase Scotland's talent in this industry."

There were three aesthetics categories. Medical Aesthetician of the Year, sponsored by The Edinburgh Clinic, went to ReNu Skin Clinic for their outstanding success and non-surgical beauty and dermatology services.

Gill Baird, head of business development and marketing at the Edinburgh Clinic, said: “The event was simply fantastic – we were delighted to be a part of it and to celebrate all the aesthetic and cosmetic industry has to offer at its highest standards.

"Well done to everyone involved, from the nominees, the organisers and of course many congratulations to the winners. We're looking forward to next year already.”

The Best Independent Nurse Prescriber Award was presented to Jackie Partridge, owner of dermalclinic, while the Cosmetic Clinic of the Year, sponsored by Beautiful Brows & Lashes was presented to Face and Body Medical Cosmetics.

Beautiful Brows & Lashes also sponsored the Beauty Salon of the Year categories. These were presented to Bon Vivant in the small category and Sleeping Beauty Salon for the large category.

Chris Christoforou, training director at Beautiful Brows and Lashes Professionals, said: “Amazing night from start to finish. We are proud supporters of the event, and want to say a huge congratulations to all of the finalists and winners."

The judges also awarded a special award on the night for their One To Watch category, which recognises a rising star in the industry. For 2016 this went to Linton & Mac hair salon for their huge success in such a small period of time.

A full list of winners can be found below and at www. newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/the-look-awards-2016

For more information on this event, please visit our website or contact Cheryl Risk on 0141 302 7410 or Cheryl.risk@heraldandtimes.co.uk.

Expert Make Up Artist of the year

Lynsey C Reilly- Winner

Beauty Salon of the Year – Sponsored by Beautiful Brows and Lashes Professional

Small

Bon Vivant - Winner

Large

Sleeping Beauty Salon- Winner

Nail Technician of the Year

Polish Nail and Beauty- Winner

Spa of the Year

Spa at Blythswood Square- Winner

Medical Aesthetician of the Year- Sponsored by The Edinburgh Clinic

ReNu Skin Clinic- Winner

Best Independent Nurse Prescriber

Jackie Partridge BSc (DERM) RGN NIP – dermalclinic - Winner

Cosmetic Clinic of the Year- Sponsored by Beautiful Brows & Lashes Professional

Face and Body Medical Cosmetics - Winner

Wedding Stylist of the Year

Laura Courtie Hair- Commendation

Pin Up Hair Glasgow- Winner

Hair Stylist of the Year

Charlie Taylor- Winner

Hair Extension Specialist

Macs Glasgow - Winner

Natalie McIlroy Hair- Commendation

Defacto Hair Salon of the Year- Sponsored by Defacto Salons

Small

Westend Hair - Winner

Large

Charlie Taylor Hair & Beauty- Winner

Best Barbers- Sponsored by Men’s Hairdressing Federation

House Martin Barbers- Winner

Davie The Barber - Commendation

Best Use of Social Media- Sponsored by Fake Bake

BLOW Finnieston - Winner

Best Start Up- Sponsored by City of Glasgow College

The Singing Barber: Gentleman's Club - Winner

ONYX Salon - Commendation

Marketing Campaign of the Year

Ash Hairdressing - Winner

Innovation in Technology Award

Barclay Wolf Hair Extensions - Winner

Training Institution of the Year

City of Glasgow College - Winner

One To Watch

Linton & Mac - Winner

Outstanding Contribution of the Year- Sponsored by Phorest Salon Software

Annmarie Fraser - NHS Hospital Salon - Winner