Face off

The inaugural Facial Competition gave professionals and students the chance to showcase their skill, artistry and client care – here’s who won

This year marked the debut of the Facial Competition at Professional Beauty London, offering professionals and students the opportunity to demonstrate their technical skill, client care and artistry in delivering a flawless 60-minute facial treatment.

Participants were judged on their technique, professionalism and ability to provide a complete facial experience, including:

• A thorough skin consultation.

• Comprehensive cleansing, exfoliation and massage.

• The application of an opaque mask paired with either a scalp or hand and arm massage.

• Final toning, moisturising and professional homecare advice.

The competition attracted exceptional talent, with winners earning well-deserved recognition for their expertise.

THE WINNERS

Professional category

Winner: Jeanette Ribeiro

Second: Anna McAndrew

Student category

Winner: Amber Cuthbert

Second: Lisa Ahmed Third: Katie Kitchen

PITCH for the Future

Meet the winners of PB’s Pitch for the Future business funding competition

The two winners (centre) with the sponsors

Sarah Michelle Durrant has been announced as the winner of PB London’s Pitch for the Future competition, winning £5,000 to launch her idea Serene on Scene.

Pitch for the Future offered the chance to win a £5,000 cash prize to fund a new business idea, plus exclusive discounts thanks to competition sponsors Dermapenworld, Environ, IIAA, Neurotris, Pure Spa Skincare, Skin Group International, Smart Group and Vagaro, all of whom were exhibiting at the Professional Beauty London 2025 show.

The competition invited beauty professionals to submit a new business idea, whether it be a concept for a brand new business or a way to improve their existing one. Following a shortlisting process, six finalists were then invited to present their ideas on stage at Professional Beauty London on Monday, March 3.

Sarah Durrant was announced as the winner, with her idea, Serene on Scene, impressing the judges. Serene on Scene is concept for providing wellness therapies on film and TV sets so cast and crew can reset, recharge and return to work feeling revitalised and calmer.

Second place prize was awarded to Fiona Jackson for her idea RISE – Ready for Industry, Success & Excellence, a course to bridge the gap between education and industry.

THE FINALISTS

• Sarah Michelle Durrant’s Serene on Scene (WINNER)

• Fiona Jackson’s RISE – Ready for Industry, Success & Excellence (SECOND PLACE)

• Sheree Powell’s OriēnMir

• Aggie Singh’s The Advanced Skin Consultation Lounge

• Louise Tilden’s online mentorship programme

• Donata Vilimaite’s Lumiere

Thank you to our sponsors