Robert Masciave and Ceri Cushen of Metropolis Hairdressing in Kingston have been shortlisted for the Southern Hairdresser of the Year title at HJ's British Hairdressing Awards. 

Widely regarded as the highlight of the hairdressing calendar, the annual awards – now in their 39th year - celebrate the outstanding creative and technical skills of stylists from across the United Kingdom. 

Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ's British Hairdressing Awards, said: "Robert and Ceri have presented a collection that is both eye-catching and inspiring, showcasing a diversity of skills and an eye for detail. They should feel incredibly proud to have made an impact amongst such impressive competition."

The duo was shortlisted after submitting four photographic images demonstrating the breadth of their hairdressing expertise, including both technical and creative abilities. Cushen said she took inspirations from musicians and musical genres, and Masciave was enamoured by the concept of transforming old styles and giving them new life.  

In the next stage, they will submit a further four images for the final round of judging in September. Both stages of judging are independently audited and verified.

The competition is judged anonymously by over 100 leading hairdressers (including celebrity stylists, session stylists, salon owners, previous winners and Hall of Fame members). Winners will be announced during a red-carpet ceremony on Monday 27 November at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, London.  

Teddington Nub News spoke to Masciave and Cushen about their hairdressing experience.

Congrats on being shortlisted! What would it mean for you both to win?

Cushen: "It would be my first BHA win which would be just the best thing! I won Salon Stylist of the year at HJ's British Hairdressing Business Awards 2023, so to do the double would mean so much." 

Masciave: "It's always nice to be recognised by your peers and we have already achieved by being in the final good. The cherry on the cake would be to win."

Have you always been into hairdressing? Or was it something that you feel into?

Cushen: I fell into hairdressing half-way through studying a law degree at Cardiff University! We were all into the goth scene back in the early 90s. I started doing my friends' hair and it went from there. 

Masciave: "I started working in electronic and electricity. Then one day I had enough, and I wanted a change. Hairdressing came to my head. I was very young, and I was a punk. I remember thinking I could make everybody look good because I thought everybody looked bad in the street…that was the motivation was to make people look better in the street."

What hair style do you love currently? 

Cushen: "I just adore a sharp short French bob at the moment, it's a great style that works for all hair types and can be tailored to suit anyone."

Masciave: "The graduated bob. All bobs are classic because it always looks great, there are so many variations you can do from it. It's also technically very satisfying to do."

Is there a new hairdressing skill you're looking to learn? 

Cushen: "I'm currently learning who to create hand tied wigs, it's incredibly fiddly and slow but I'm enjoying the journey so much!"

Masciave: "At the moment I'm looking into wigs as finding a wig is difficult and also expensive. Beyond that I would like to learn the skills of knotting and making wigs so I can work with them in my own way because I am always pushing boundaries of hairdressing and looking at ways of classical things."

Have you ever had a bad hair day? How do you handle it?

Cushen: "Hats! I love a hat, mostly berets or a tweed flat cap- I'm almost always in a hat. I have very frizzy, dry, curly hair so bad hair days get us all at times."

Masciave: "The truth is if someone says they have never had a bad hair day, they are lying…it reminds me we should always try to be a better version of ourselves"

What's your favourite quote about hair? 

Cushen: "I think that the most important thing a woman can have—next to talent, of course—is her hairdresser." - Joan Crawford 

Masciave: "You're only as good as your last haircut. Why is it my favourite quote? Because it always pushes you to do the best you can do."