A HAIR and beauty business has shown it is a cut above the rest after scooping a top national award.

More than 500 businesses from across the country attended the 11th Official Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards at Glasgow’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel earlier this month.

Among those celebrating was Haddington’s Sharon’s Hair and Beauty Boutique.

Sharon Edgar, owner of the business, was delighted to win the Neighbourhood Hair and Beauty Salon of the Year.

She said: “It is more of a personal one.

“I feel our salon is a really friendly, warm salon and all the clients comment on it – how friendly, nice and relaxed it is.

“Being a neighbourhood salon, people can just come in and it is relaxed.

“All the clients chat to each other and there is that sort of vibe about it.”

Clients vote for businesses throughout Scotland before the number is whittled down to a shortlist of 10. The judges then look at reviews and ask about the salon to determine who lifts the award.

Sharon, who opened the business on the town’s Market Street nine years ago, thanked all those who had backed the team.

Sharon’s Hair and Beauty Boutique is no stranger to success at the awards, having collected prizes on a number of occasions.

Sharon was joined at the glamorous ceremony by colleagues Elaine Paterson, Leah Paterson and Manuela Venturiero.

East Lothian Courier: Sharon Edgar (left) and the team from Sharon’s Hair and Beauty Boutique have been celebrating success at a national awards ceremony. Also pictured are Leah Paterson, Elaine Paterson and Manuela Venturiero

Sharon, who is “born and bred” Haddington, said: “We were sitting at a table with other salons and they called out our name.

“We were not expecting it. We have won awards before and thought we would not win this one.

“It was fantastic and we all went up to the stage together to collect the award.”

Sharon, who has been involved in the hair and beauty industry for more than 30 years, told the Courier how she loved her job.

She said: “I just think hairdressing as an industry is something that we really enjoy doing.

“I love coming to work and I love all the girls at the salon.

“We are just a friendly group and, hairdressing, it is a job I love doing.

“I think that is what it is – we just love coming here and working and our clients are so nice. We are really lucky.”

A spokesperson for the event said: “We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their outstanding hard work and for their amazing achievements.

“All winners should feel honoured, as it is their clients who went behind the nomination process and put them forward to receive the recognition they deserve.”