A DALGETY BAY mum will be mixing with celebrities on the red carpet next year after beating thousands of entries to claim a final spot at a national awards ceremony.

When Carrie Price, who owns the Hair Hut, entered the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2023, she never thought that her one-woman business would be shortlisted in two categories, but is now looking forward to being in the eye of the paparazzi at the event in Birmingham.

"I am proud of myself and what I have done on my own," she told the Press.

"I'm working class, I've built myself up, I've had a lot of falls, but I am really excited about next year.

"Before, competitions have been based on votes so I haven't entered, I don't have a gigantic clientele – some salons have thousands of clients – but this was a panel of judges, they sit and look at your in-depth application form.

"They look at your background in hair, what colour brand you use and why, I didn't think I would get to the finals."

After 23 years in the industry, Carrie says an award win is one last thing to tick off her list – having already worked at London Fashion Week, taught hairdressing, and styled celebrities.

And she will be sharing the experience with her daughter – though says she will need to find a small pair of heels to wear on the big day!

"I've been doing it since I was 16 and have wanted to do it since I was eight," she added.

"I listen to what clients want and 99 per cent of the time they get exactly what they want."

She believes it is this care and attention, and her unique, calm setting, providing an alternative to busy salons, which singled her out in both the Best For Blonde and Hairstylist of the Year categories.

"I love working with the public, I love where I am," she explained.

"I get on well with my clients, people come in and sit and chill, birds are usually chirping in the background.

"I love anything that makes me calm, a lot of people don't like the hustle and bustle of salons.

"You can have personal conversations – some of the banter you couldn't speak about in a salon!

"I should write a book, 'Confessions of a hairstylist', I have thought about it before.

"I do actually listen to what my client asks for – in a salon it can be back to back but I set my own pace.

"I would love to come back with an award and if I don't I will just apply again next year, I won't give up."

Carrie will find out her fate in April next year.