A BEAUTY salon where clients become friends and making people feel at home is a top priority has become Cheshire’s Beauty Salon of the Year.

Northwich’s The Beauty Spot bagged the title at the prestigious English Hair and Beauty Awards – an awards night representing the very best in the hair and beauty industry.

Rebecca Collins said she was ‘shocked’ to win and never expected it.

“I was absolutely shocked, being a finalist was great and I didn’t go with any expectations,” she said.

“I didn’t think I stood a chance. It’s a massive award."

As part of the nomination, Rebecca had to submit evidence for the judges to look at when considering their winner, including videos, photographs of work and reviews.

Rebecca said: “I did a page on ‘what makes me different’, because I knew everyone would be sending in pictures of their work, and I wanted to be different.

Northwich Guardian: Rebecca CollinsRebecca Collins (Image: Supplied)

“In it, I put that I am a vegan salon and eco-friendly, and I work with other people; I support other salons, I don’t just hold clients to myself, you don’t have to be in competition with each other.

“All the products I use in my salon are vegan and eco-friendly and all from UK businesses.

“I promote them all as well because I think that’s what we need to be doing.”

Rebecca’s salon is in the converted spare room of her house which she says is ideal for making clients feel at home.

“I’m not just a business, my clients are not just people who bring money in,” she said.

“To me, I am interested in what they have to say and what’s going on in their lives.

“Because I care so much, people like the experience.”

Northwich Guardian: Rebecca Collins (right) with friend Lucy ValentineRebecca Collins (right) with friend Lucy Valentine (Image: Supplied)

And this is not the only award Rebecca has won recently.

She was crowned the winner of our Guardian Best for Nails in our Best of 2022 competition.

Rebecca told us: “I’m trained in all areas of beauty – nails, make-up, waxing and tanning – and when Covid hit I knew that I wouldn’t be able to return to my job in a salon in the town centre, as restrictions made it too difficult to make ends meet.

“I went mobile but now work from home and clients prefer the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

“Many of my clients I’ve known for so long they’ve become friends and most come for more than one treatment as I like to offer packages so they can relax for two or three hours and have some ‘me time’.”

Rebecca’s Beauty Box business is also going from strength to strength after launching in lockdown.

Each box is filled with UK-based self-care and beauty products from small businesses, which are all vegan, cruelty free and eco-friendly.