A WEE COUNTY stylist will take on Britain's finest later this month as she aims to be crowned the best hairdresser in the country.

Florence Neilson breezed through at the Scottish regional competition back in May and is now set to take on the best in the country in London in just a matter of weeks.

While Florence showed her undoubted qualities in Glasgow in May, the level she will face and require will take a huge step up – a challenge she is eagerly anticipating as she prepares her model's look.

She told the Advertiser: "I'm just trying to get everything prepared. It is quite a big step up for this competition."

In the previous round, Florence prepared most things before the competition before styling her model's hair in front of judges. On this occasion, however, the model will have her hair coloured, make-up applied, outfit picked and hair styled – all in a space of three hours in front of judges.

Florence, who currently works at Rhona McCallum Hair in Alloa, said: "It will be in Wella World Studios in London, a big studio with all the contestants who all have their individual stations and the judges will go round everyone.

"Every bit of the model – the colour, makeup, outfit – has to go together and match your chosen theme and trend.

"We are then taken to the presentation room where I have six minutes to show my mood board to the judges before explaining my theme and my trend and telling them my inspiration for everything.

"I have to explain how I got the colours I went for, too. It is a lot to go through in just six minutes, but I am doing quite well just now.

"I'm just trying to practice my speech, but it is quite stressful."

Following the day's judging, Florence and her model will head to a glitzy black tie event at The Roundhouse in Camden where they will be treated to a three-course meal and an evening of entertainment, culminating in the announcement of the winner of the Wella Professionals Trendvision Award 2019.

Florence will be boosted by all of her colleagues joining her at The Roundhouse, and said she is excited for what lies in store.

She said: "I'm excited, but I just don't feel confident quite yet. I'm stressed, but in a good way, I think it's good to feel nerves.

"I just want to put everything I can into it and make my theme grow."

The competition and award night will take place on Monday, September 30, in London.