Hair and Beauty UHI Inverness

✨ COULD THIS BE YOU? ✨

At just 15, Zara knew she wanted a career in beauty.

She left school after 4th year, joined the NC Beauty course UHI Inverness and started her journey into an industry she’s now been part of for 20 years. 🤍

Originally, Zara thought she wanted to pursue Make-Up Artistry… but it didn’t take long for her to realise her passion was actually in the wider world of beauty. 💅🏼

From NC → HNC → HND Beauty, Zara went on to work as a junior and receptionist in a busy salon, became a head therapist, then took the leap into self-employment — starting out in a small treatment room within a hairdressers.

Two years later, with a growing clientele behind her, she opened her own salon, Pretty Woman Beauty Salon

And she didn’t stop there…

14 years on, Zara has recently opened Pretty Woman Spa within The Palace Hotel in Inverness, alongside continuing to run her salon. ✨

From a 15-year-old starting her first beauty course to running two businesses and an incredible team — just imagine where a career in beauty could take you.

💭 Zara’s advice to anyone starting out?

“There are so many different options now within the beauty industry… not everyone has to follow the same path.”

Her biggest piece of advice?

Don’t rush. Learn your skills. Get experience. Find what you love. Then build from there.

And after 20 years in the industry?

She’s still not ready to hang up the nail tools just yet! 😂💅🏼

Could this be you? 👀

If you could have a career doing something you love what would it be drop us a comment👇

✨ COULD THIS BE YOU? ✨

In her 30s, Nicki applied for full-time college… but life meant she couldn’t commit to studying full-time.

Fast forward a few years, and Nicki decided it was time to do something for herself. 💕

She joined our evening classes, initially looking to meet new people, learn some new skills and have a little time for herself.

She started with ‘All About the Face’, then returned the following year for ‘All About the Body’. ✨

And those evening classes turned out to be the beginning of something much bigger…

After 22 years as a childminder, Nicki made the decision to take a completely new direction and left childminding this summer to start her own business. 🙌🏼

Today, she offers massage and Japanese Head Spa treatments — and she’s still learning, developing her skills and building her business. 🤍

Sometimes you don’t need to have the whole plan.

You just need to take the first step. ✨

Nicki started with an evening class.

Could this be you? 👀

👇 Tell us — if you could learn a new skill just for YOU, what would it be?

✨ Celebrating a true icon ✨

“I think the most important thing a woman could have next to talent, of course – is her hairdresser.”
— Dolly Parton 💇‍♀️💕

Words from a legend who understood the magic of great hair, confidence and a little bit of sparkle! ✨

As we celebrate Dolly Parton and her incredible legacy, we’re also celebrating the next generation of hair and beauty professionals who are about to learn the skills to make people feel confident, beautiful and empowered every day.

From your first blow-dry to creating your signature style, every great hairdresser starts somewhere. 💫

Welcome to the department our new trainee superstars.

Fashion is art - hair is art! From styling to colouring, hair is a way to express ourselves!
UHI hairdressers and barbers…have you created anything you’re proud of lately? We would love to see…tag us in your posts or DM your faves.

Our industry encourages sharing techniques, trends, and business insights to allow our sector to grow and what better way to share this practice than a visit to .
Roz and I visited Motherwell and Coatbridge campuses for a look at their training facilities, meet Head of department Jane Crowe and her BAHD team and students.
The team welcomed us, shared their well being initiatives, offered us a tasty lunch at their training restaurant and showcased their treatments and services in the hair, barbering and beauty salons.
It was a great opportunity to network with like minded people and share ideas.
We look forward to inviting Jane and her team up to UHI Inverness for a visit to our fantastic facilities in the future.