A TALENTED make-up artist has expressed her delight at being shortlisted for a national award.

Lara Clarke, 20, of Dovercourt, is one of the finalists for the UK Hair and Beauty Awards in the makeup artist of the year category.

Lara is a qualified beauty therapist and makeup artist and runs Studio Enhance in Bay Road.

She said: “What I love about the hair and beauty industry is I get the chance to do what I love and be creative.

“The chance to make people feel special and beautiful is especially fulfilling.”

Lara has four years of experience working in the industry across different salons.

She started doing makeup at a young age and learned by watching YouTube videos and following influencers for the best products and tips.

When she decided to pursue a career in the industry, she started doing her mum’s friends' and family members' makeup for special events in my bedroom with a small studio set up.

Lara added: “Before I started college training in makeup and beauty therapist studies I got a Saturday job in multiple salons doing makeup and being a hairdressing assistant.

“This was when I really got a feel for the beauty industry and working professionally in a salon.

“My dad transformed one of our rooms at home for me so I could do clients from my home, I became very busy every weekend doing makeup for people going out as word spread.

“When I turned 18 my dad then transformed a part of his office in my local town into a beauty salon which took us three months to build and create in lockdown which I then opened as my own beauty salon two years ago now.”

Finalists will compete locally before heading to the national grand final red carpet event.

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards will take place in April 2023.

Lara said: “My greatest achievement is opening and running my beauty salon, with multiple girls working for me and facing challenges with owning my own salon along the way, but it is all worth it.”

For more information on Lara and her work visit studioenhance.co.uk.