A GWENT stylist has made it to the final of a national hairdressing contest for a chance to be part of a team of the country’s best.

Karly Williams, 22, has been hairdressing for seven years and began her career at McCarthy’s Salon on High Street, Blackwood after finishing school. Two months ago, she decided to apply to be part of the Clynol Protégé Team 2014.

In her application, Miss Williams had to predict the styles of 2014, from pixie crops to pastel pinks.

She said: “It was a shock when I found out I was through but I started prepping straight away.”

Miss Williams will now battle it out with the UK’s greatest hopefuls to impress a panel of industry judges, in an X-Factor style final. She will have an hour to do her style,while watched by the judges.

“It’s going to be all eyes on me. I’m quite nervous about that. I’ve nearly decided on my style – I just have to put in the practise now,” she said.

“This will be nothing like the competitions I’ve done in the past. The first ten minutes I’ll be panicking, but after it’s done you just want to do it all over again.”

If successful, she who has had all her training at McCarthy’swill join five others to receive a year of training with the biggest names in the industry. and gain experience through a range of opportunities, from photo shoots to stage shows.

Miss Williams said: “I love to set myself a challenge and this is my biggest yet. It is great to have made the finals, a real honour and I’d be made up if I were to make it into the team.”

The final is on January 20.