Still just a teenager when she set up her own beauty salon in Kelso, Laura Louvain Noon’s belief in her abilities has paid off with a national award.
On Sunday night, Laura picked up the Salon of the Year title at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards ceremony in Glasgow’s Crowne Plaza hotel.
The 22-year-old told The Southern: “It feels fantastic. I am really honoured.”
After being nominated for the award and that of Therapist of the Year by her clients, Laura had to submit a portfolio to the judges and was shortlisted in both categories.
“I am just amazed, it feels so good,” said Laura.
“I was the only one there from the Borders, which I was honoured about too.
“It is just a small salon compared to the big spas and salons, so I am really excited by this award.”
Despite competing against two Glasgow salons, one from Port Glasgow and another from Aberdeen, the Horsemarket business came out on top.
Laura set up the business three years ago, aged just 19, after studying at Borders College and working in a local salon full time for a year.
“I always loved beauty therapy and after college I dreamed of having my own salon, using the products I wanted and just having my own little place,” said Laura.
“It has been brilliant, and everything has gone so well - better than I expected - and I have been kept busy, which is good.”
Laura’s mum Teresa, a former nursery nurse, has even gone to college to re-train as a beauty therapist to enable her to work alongside her daughter, having worked on the reception for a period.
“I love it,” said Laura. “We get on really well, and it is really good because you can trust your mum!”
With a number of other beauty salons in Kelso, as well as across the Borders, Laura is particularly aware of the need to keep up the very high standard she has set across the range of services she offers.
“I do a bit of everything - facials, nails, massages and make-up. I do quite a range of things, but spray tanning is one of my big things.”