A Carramar hair and make-up artist has made her mark as one of the best bridal hair stylists by taking home a national award in Sydney this month.
Pearlin McCarthy has cemented herself in the bridal category, having won the formal/bridal make-up artist of the year at last year’s Australian Beauty Industry Awards.
Her latest win this month at the 2024 Hair Festival was part of a new bridal category, making her the inaugural winner.
Her work was judged on the clothing, make-up and adornments, along with the hair styling.
Ms McCarthy said the win came at a great surprise after she was worried she had not placed when third place and the runner-up was announced.
“I had travelled to Sydney solo so I didn’t have any friends to support — I wanted to film the announcements so I could share on social media and my friends and family back in Perth,” she said.
“When they did announce it and it was my name, I was actually filming — I was taken aback, surprised, relieved and extremely happy that I had placed and actually won.
“I wasn’t confident at all that I would come out on top. I hoped I would but being a national competition and not having attended the Hair Festival Expo before, I didn’t know what to expect.
“I know the hair talent around Australia is amazing and a lot of the competitions that have arisen in the past are aimed only at qualified hairdressers.”
Ms McCarthy said she was not a qualified hairdresser but had been a hairstylist for more than 15 years — while she does cut or colour, she says she has developed a national reputation for being “the queen of waves”.
She said the award ranked highly for her; she had won many make-up competitions previously but this latest win provided an even greater reputation for hair.
“I am self-taught and specialise in bridal and special events,” she said.
“Two years ago I hosted my first ever Watch and Learn Waves Masterclass in Perth to teach others my signature style due to being asked frequently to teach.
“My first educational class was a success and something I thought I would only offer once off has now become a class that I offer annually.”
She will hold her annual waves class on Monday, August 5; more information can be found on her website at pearlin.com.au/waves-masterclass.