Talented Cymoedd learner is ‘made up’ with her Spooky look winner

Payton-Leigh Williams always knew she had an artistic flair for producing special effects make up and after three years of being self-taught she decided to visit the college to see what courses were on offer to further her skills.

She attended Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus and after an interview with the staff working in that department she enrolled on the VTCT Level 2 Hair and Media Makeup course.

Studying at the college alongside the professional tutors provided Payton-Leigh with a broad range of skills and techniques in make- up and special effects and boosted her confidence in her work.

After only 8 weeks on the course Payton-Leigh was keen to grow her portfolio and signed up to “31 Days of Halloween”; a well-known challenge in the Beauty and Special Effects industry -to post a different Halloween look every day throughout October

With her increased confidence she was up for the ‘Challenge’ and entered 14/31 of her looks into the VTCT Trick or Treat contest, against learners of all levels from colleges from across the U.K. 

Payton-Leigh was delighted to win the competition with her re-creation of Sally from the Nightmare before Christmas, securing a £40 Amazon or Beauty Bay gift card.

Speaking of her success Payton-Leigh said “If you told me three years ago that I’d be entering my makeup into competitions with people on a higher course than me, I would have laughed. I never imagined myself to have the level of confidence in my makeup skills that I have now. In my work I try to include small features from things that have inspired me in makeup since the beginning such as the well-known event out in Orlando, Florida called ‘Halloween Horror Nights.’ I was lucky enough to have had one of the incredible makeup artists and the creative director, Michael Aiello, see my work from the 31 Days of Halloween challenge.  I’m very excited to see what else I’m able to achieve in the future”.

Congratulating Payton-Leigh, Hannah Howells, Course Tutor Level 2 Diploma in Hair and Media Makeup said “I am over the moon that Payton-Leigh’s amazing talents have been recognised amongst the hundreds of entries across the whole of the U.K. by none other than the awarding body VTCT. This is testament to the talent that we have not only in the South Wales valleys, but in Coleg y Cymoedd. After looking at Payton-Leigh’s four entries for the VTCT Trick or Treat Competition I feel this is more than well-deserved and I look forward to seeing what else she achieves in the future – well done Payton-Leigh!”

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