Ambitious Wigan trainee stylist shortlisted for award

Mia Winstanley, an 18-year-old from Ashton-In-Makerfield, works at a new salon in Bickershaw called Darla-Bells, where she has been training since the beginning of the yeare under the company Saks Apprenticeships.

Yet despite being in the business for so little time, Mia has been selected as a finalist in the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2023 for the category Hair Stylist Of The Year and has been invited to attend the red carpet event in Birmingham.

The awards ceremony celebrates the industry in an aim to support both small and large businesses, and exposes candidates to new opportunities via social media, no matter their financial status.

Mia said: “I’ve wanted to be a hairdresser from being young.

"I used to love going to salons to get my hair done and always wanted to learn how to do it by watching them when I was in there.

"The most challenging part of my journey so far has been battling through my exams during high school throughout Covid.

“I’m so proud of myself for being shortlisted for this award after only being in the industry for 10 months as an apprentice!

"My boss is incredibly proud of my achievement and told me to ‘keep being me’ and I will go far.

"My family are so happy that my talent and hard work has been recognised.

“I’m looking to be fully qualified by April next year as a level two stylist and then I hope to go onto level three which is a more advanced qualification learning more colour correction in depth and the ability to run a business of my own.

“In five years’ time I would like to be to be self-employed with an established clientele base.

“I most enjoy meeting new clients – each person is so different and you want their personality to show through your work.

"I love how I have a mixed clientele of people wanting bright colours and those who want more natural as it makes each day more interesting. I love how well me and the other girls at the salon get on and support one another at Darla-Bells. We want to promote each other and build each other’s confidence.”

Hair by Mia can be found on both Instagram and Facebook.