The West Coast Cooler People’s Choice Award was introduced as one of this year’s new categories in the NI Beauty Excellence Awards 2023, which are designed to recognise and celebrate the success of the aesthetics, beauty and hair industries in Northern Ireland.
The People’s Choice Award, introduced by the awards’ title sponsor, West Coast Cooler, called for nominations by the public followed by a panel of judges who had the difficult job of shortlisting the nominations down to the final three – Jay Miller - Jay’s Barber Club in Belfast, Jacqueline Lightbody - JAX Hair & Beauty Salon in Donaghadee and Noelle Cole Lyons - Fabulous Beauty Studio in Newry. You can read their stories below the voting form.
It’s now over to the public to choose the West Coast Cooler People’s Choice winner who will be announced at the prestigious awards ceremony on May 13.
Read more: Finalists of NI Beauty Excellence Awards 2023 announced
All you have to do to vote is choose your favourite in the form below:
Following the popularity and growth of the Awards, there are now twenty-five categories that will showcase the talent and innovation evident within the beauty industry in Northern Ireland.
The awards, which are once again hosted by TV royalty, Pamela Ballantine, will take place on Saturday, May 13 2023 at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast.
The West Coast Cooler People’s Choice Award nominees are:
Jay Miller – Jay’s Barber Club
Jay’s Barber Club pride themselves in being so much more than just a haircut. Jay Miller and his team work with a range of local charities and mental health groups across Belfast and Lisburn.
They have continuously raised money for the NI Children’s Hospice and staff members and trainees of Jay’s Barber Club volunteer on a weekly basis at a homeless church in Belfast as well as various local care homes across Northern Ireland.
Jay, alongside his wife Orla, also offer haircuts for people receiving end of life care at the NI Hospice at Antrim Hospital, believing in the importance in giving people the opportunity to get their hair cut when they are not able to visit the hairdresser themselves.
Jay sponsors three football teams and has a huge focus on local communities which he believes is at the heart of Jay’s Barber Club.
They have recently filmed a documentary with the BBC on their work in Northern Ireland, which is due to air this month.
Jaqueline Lightbody – JAX Hair & Beauty Salon
Jacqueline strives to treat everyone in her salon as an individual and goes above and beyond to ensure that they leave the salon feeling important and satisfied with their experience.
She always maintains her professionalism from start to finish and is passionate about giving back to the community.
Over the years she has helped to raise funds for multiple charities and last year she chose the Cool FM - Cash for Kids appeal, in which she organised her team to do a sponsored walk and a charity evening to help funds for the local charity.
Jacqueline has supported the local community, not only in organising these events but in helping the environment by litter picking as a team and helping to support local businesses build, thrive and encourage new business ideas.
Jacqueline has also provided job training and social skills for pupils from Orchardville Special Needs School, helping these adult pupils to gain a sense of independence. She also started learning sign language to communicate better with them.
Noelle Cole Lyons – Fabulous Beauty Studio
Noelle Cole Lyons is the owner of Fabulous Beauty Studio in Newry. Known as the ‘Salon with a Heart’, Noelle has implemented changes to ensure that her salon is inclusive to all genders and welcoming to everyone.
She has worked closely with a Transgender support organisation to help her and her staff to support people who are transitioning, or clients who may not identify as male or female.
Noelle also places huge importance on disability and the whole team continues to educate themselves on disability rights, making her salon more accessible. They have regular training days where they share client feedback to ensure that their services are a comfortable and luxurious experience for everyone, all ages with diverse and wide-ranging needs.
She has adapted her appointments to ensure that there is something that suits everyone including workshops for young trans girls focusing on makeup and skincare, quiet appointments for clients with dementia, extended time appointments for clients who like to take their time, one-to-one private appointments for clients with anxiety or clients who don’t like crowds or busy places.
Tasked with the job of whittling down the nominations to three finalists were makeup and skincare specialist Katrina Doran, Medical Director at Woodford Medical Dr Mervyn Patterson and owner of Pearl Beauty, Elanna McGowan.
New to the panel this year are nail expert and Renew Beauty, BioSculpture and Elim Educator, Ingrid Graham, Dr Martina Collins, Principal Dentist and owner of Martina Dental & Skin Clinic and last year’s winner of Overall Contribution to the Industry, founder and former CEO of Vita Liberata, Alyson Hogg MBE.
The 2023 Awards are proudly supported by title sponsor, West Coast Cooler; media partners, Daily Mirror and Belfast Live; Official Car Partner, Charles Hurst Landrover, with event partners: BTL Aesthetics - Creator of. EMSCULPT NEO & EMFACE and innovating aesthetic solutions for over 30 years; Davines - Italian hair care brand, whose ethos is to ‘Do our best for the world, creating the good life for all through beauty, ethics and sustainability'; Pearl Beauty - a vegan and cruelty-free cosmetic beauty brand; Med FX, supplier for all aesthetics and skin rejuvenation product needs; BF Mulholland - a full service dental products supplier; Shop Beautiful - a supplier of premium, professional grade beauty brands; DermaFrac UK-medical facial experts; and Design NI - a website and design agency.
Tickets are now on sale, visit nibeautyexcellence.com/tickets for booking details
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