The winners of the American Crew FACE OFF 2012 competition were announced at an awards presentation that took place in London on Monday, at the stylish Paramount Bar at the top of the Centre Point building.

The three winners are:

• Claire Flack, Wigs & Warpaint, Sheffield
• Matthew Gavin, Christian Wiles, Northampton
• Roy Rogers, Saks, Glasgow

The main prize is an all-expenses paid four-day trip to LA at the end of May, where the winners will style a photo-shoot with the American Crew artistic team at Hollywood's Milk Studios.

Commenting on her achievement Claire says: "What a great evening, meeting like minded people and seeing the variety of entries of the highest standard."

"To be a winner is such a high point of my career, as I have entered FACE OFF on three occasions now, so it is definitely third time lucky!"

"It was my intention to flow the trend for wave, movement and texture incorporating the models facial hair and grooming with all the relevant American crew products."

"I was so pleased with the strong masculine look that we achieved although I shot the look twice to make sure it was exactly how I imagined the look to be created."

" I would like to sincerely thank American Crew, Paul Taylor and his team for giving me the opportunity and I am very much looking forward to the LA trip and learning more from the American crew founder David Raccuglia!!"

Now entering its fourth year in the UK and established as a firm fixture in the British hairdressing calendar, FACE OFF is a black and white photographic and men's grooming competition, which showcases some of the nation's most talented and up and coming stylists. Entrants are asked to submit two black and white photographs of a male model, which reflects the man of today without losing sight of the timeless character that is undeniably American Crew.

American Crew brand manager Mark Shorrock says: "It's been really exciting to see the competition develop and gain so much momentum since its launch. We've seen a significant increase in the number of entries as well as a continuous improvement in the overall quality of the submissions."

FACE OFF, which was first launched in Australia in 2004 and then in the UK in 2009, is launching in the USA and Europe this year, making it the first international competition of its kind in the professional sector.

Explaining the strategy, Mark says "The FACE OFF formula works; it's a low-cost, easy-to-enter competition with some great prizes and significant PR and commercial benefits for the winners. In a growth market, taking an international approach was the obvious next step for a global brand."

In addition to the three overall winners there are two other categories in the FACE OFF competition, which includes the HJ MEN Editor's Choice Award, selected by editor Matthew Batham and the Asahi Choice Award made by sponsors Asahi Beer.

Asahi Choice Award

Christopher Aldworth

Taylor Taylor Barber Shop, Sheffield.

HJ MEN Editor's Choice Award

Daniel Rymer Robinson

essensuals MEN in Billericay.

Awards holders 2008, 2009/10, 2011, 2012

The team are so proud to have won Sheffield's salon of the year as voted by the public at the Exposed Awards 2012. It is the 4th year that the Wigs and Warpaint team have been recognised for their hard work and cutting edge approach to the hairdressing world. On top of that Claire flack, chief Wig, was also awarded Sheffield's best stylist 2012; it was one heck of a night! Claire went on to say "Not only am I proud of every one of my loyal and dedicated team, but it was a great night for Sheffield's independent businesses as a whole. There are so many talented stylists out there, we should all be proud of what Sheffield has to offer. Also, I have to thank Paul and Bobbi for their support, without which I wouldn't be able to work towards all we have achieved since opening in 2007."

Lewis-Flack Training Academy celebrates Sheffield’s talented youngsters!

Training Director of Lewis-Flack training Michael Lewis is proud to reveal the results of their recent student show and award.

Held at the Walkabout Venue in the city centre, the event was designed to be a fantastic learning opportunity and experience for the students whilst raising money for local charity: Whirlow Hall farm trust.

In front of an audience of over three hundred, trainees from all the Lewis-Flack partnership salons demonstrated their stunning hair skills. Lewis-Flack work with partnership salons all over Sheffield meaning the students train at the state of the art Academy for their NVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications.

Michael Lewis says "it was a great experience for all the learners to have to harmonise their hair designs with fashion looks and make-up. They all enjoyed the evening and it has increased their passion for hairdressing even more."

Each team presented a theme for their section, using two models, it was a chance for all the students (aged between 16 and 35 years) to use different techniques and equipment to realise their creative vision.

Wigs and Warpaint presented three stunning presentations using local fashion house.

• Bridal Designs with The White Rooms
• Men’s Designs with Sa-Kis
• Avant Garde Designs with Specially selected fashions for the Mad-Hatter

To conclude the evening awards were presented to the NVQ student of the year for Level 2 & 3. See attached list.