THE Herald is today launching a new awards ceremony for the health, beauty and aesthetics sector in Scotland.

The Look Awards will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at The Radisson Blu Hotel, in Glasgow.

It will reward the people and companies that are leading the way in the hair, beauty and aesthetics sector and will give them a platform to demonstrate how their work, salon, business strategies and services are making an impressive contribution to the industry.

A panel of expert judges including Victoria Dobbie, founder and medical director of Face and Body Cosmetics Clinic, will be deciding who will be crowned the winner in each of the 20 award categories and entries are now open.

Categories include Defacto Best Salon (small, medium, large) which is sponsored by Defacto salons in both the beauty and hair category section. Marcus Macleod, director of Defacto, said: "DefactoSalons.com are thrilled to be part of The Herald Look Awards for 2015. As a UK-wide salon marketing company with Scottish roots, it is important to us that we support the Scottish hair and beauty industry.

"Our website defactosalons.com was designed by salon owners, for salon owners and in partnership with the 'Defacto Best Salon' category for the both the hair and beauty sector, we look forward to continuing to offer our support and services to salons in Scotland.

"We look forward to helping your business grow during 2015, and wish the best of luck to all the entrants."

City of Glasgow College is sponsoring the Best Start Up category which recognises new businesses that are already creating an impact in their first two years of business.

Eleanor Doull, head of marketing at City of Glasgow College, said: "The college is delighted to sponsor the Best Start Up Award as it reflects our commitment to developing new talent."

Entries can be submitted at www.heraldlookawards.co.uk with a deadline of Thursday, April 16. It is free to enter any number of categories.

The awards ceremony will cost £80 per ticket plus VAT and full details about the event is on the dedicated website.

For more information on this event, please contact Lynn Kelly on 0141 302 7410 or email lynn.kelly@heraldandtimes.co.uk.