New hairstyling reality competish A Cut Above the Rest premieres on S3 on Monday 25 October at 21h00, the week after
The Longest Date winners reach the end of their 13-episode courtship.
10 hairdressers. R150,000 on the table. Who has the power to out "do" the others?
Top Actor winner and former Scandalite Altovise Lawrence hosts the series and the contestants are judged by hair expert and cosmetology educator Mimmi Biggar, the resident head judge.
Each week she's joined by guest judges from the fashion and beauty industry who help her chop and crop the contestants, who are highly confident of their abilities.
As you'll see, the majority believe they're masters of cutting, styling, weaving, colouring etc. and one even goes so far as to claim that she's entered every hair competition and won them all.
An amazing feat to be sure but will the streak last or be washed out by those who say they've won too?
These are the 10:
Age: 42
From: Vaal
I am the owner of Bongani Style Avenue based in the Vaal. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for 20 years and I am the master of cutting, styling and barbering.
I have had the privilege of working with popular celebrity faces such as Somizi and Thembi Seete.
I strongly believe that creativity knows no boundaries, and this has pushed me into exploring other hair styling skills such as colouring and braiding.
I have won several hair competitions and want to be remembered as a trendsetter in the hair industry. My biggest dream is to open an academy in the future.
Jade Liston
Age: 32
From: Gqeberha
I am currently employed at Stay Faded as a hairstylist. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for 11 years and I am the master of colouring, cutting and up-styling.
I knew from the age of 16 that I wanted to do hair, and after high school I set out to make my dream come true.
I work with all types - my favourite being colour transformation. My greatest desire is to open an academy that specializes in colour training for junior stylists to improve their skills and knowledge on products.
Jake-Lee Coetzee
Age: 32
From: Johannesburg
I am a self-employed hair stylist. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for 13 years and I am the master of colouring, cutting and up styling.
In my free time I volunteer at hospitals doing hair for patients fighting chronic illnesses - this helps them boost their confidence and gives them hope. It’s something I am very proud of and would love to see myself doing more in that space.
My greatest desire is to travel to New York and work as a celebrity stylist, and my long-term goal is to build a beauty school in South Africa for young stylists who are underprivileged and cannot afford to pay fees.
Jesse Gallant
Age: 24
From: Gqeberha
I am the owner of Stay Faded. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for nine years and I am the master of cutting, colouring and styling.
I am an award-winning self-taught hairstylist. I have entered and won several hair competitions which is my biggest advantage.
My desire is to teach and transfer some of my skills to aspiring hairstylists. As an all-round influencer, I would love to expand my brand and create a space that will accommodate hairstylists in a comfortable working environment.
Karabo Phoshane
Age: 32
From: Soweto
I am an award-winning hair stylist from Chiawelo Soweto and the owner of King Cutter hair salon.
I have been in the industry for 13 years and I am the master of cutting, barbering and styling. I am passionate about hair and believe that there’s nothing I can’t do where hair is concerned.
I am very competitive and love creating bold hair that makes a statement. I am a new dad to a baby girl, and I am excited that when she grows up, I’ll be there to do her hair.
After COVID 19 business has been tough, but as a self-employed businessman I am in the process of building my own hair salon where I will be grooming young hairstylists and motivating them to be great professionals in their own townships.
Lazaros Sumbane
Age: 28
From: Ekhuruleni
I am the owner of ProLove Hair Academy and Salon in Ekurhuleni. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for 14 years, starting off as a cleaner and I am now the master of cutting, colouring, styling, and weaving.
I took time to invest in my craft by going to a hair academy to get the skills. This taught me never to despise my small beginnings.
I have had the privilege to work with popular celebrities in hair competitions and I have also won four big awards, including an Ekurhuleni Award from the municipality.
I am passionate about young, upcoming hairstylists in the African hair space - there is no investment available and opening an academy to train them would be a dream fulfilled for me.
Mamello Makha
Age: 32
From: Johannesburg
I am the owner of Mamello Beauty Salon. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for 24 years and I am the master of braiding, installation, and curling.
My passion for hair started when I spent time braiding my dolls. I later furthered my studies in the Free State doing house calls, and today I own a successful hair business salon.
I describe my skills as unique, creative, and future forward. I take pride in customer service, and my ultimate goal is to embrace more African hairstyles from the history books, changing them up to more modern looks.
I have entered and won hair competitions which helps me rate my skills and desire to improve.
Pretty Zuma
Age: 38
From: Pietermaritzburg
I am the master of cutting, colouring and braiding. I have been in the hair and beauty industry for 11 years. I started my hair journey as an apprentice in 2011, and since then hair has been my passion.
I'm known as the queen of hair competitions - I have entered every hair competition and I have won them all.
Right now, my desire is to open my own hair salon, and explore hair in an interesting new way with my creative experience.
Winning this hair competition will change my life and career for the better.
Unathi
Age: 29
From: Johannesburg
I am a self-employed hairstylist in the TV industry. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for nine years and I am the master of braiding, weaving and styling.
Since I started doing hair, my goal has always been to make sure that all my clients have a delightful experience while their crown is being upgraded.
I currently work on popular TV shows as a Head Stylist and do a lot of magazine shoots. My greatest desire is to make a statement when it comes to African hair.
I want to be remembered for my creativity and setting trends in the TV and hair industry.
I’ve worked on Idols SA, Show Me Love, uBettina Wethu, Khumbul’khaya and done magazine covers for Glamour, Drum, Jozi Life and True Love.
I’ve also worked on ads for PEP, 1Life and Tanquarey.
Varushkh ‘Vee’ Govindasamy
Age: 28
From: Pietermaritzburg
I am currently a stylist at Blu Gel Hair Studio. I've been in the hair and beauty industry for four years, started off as a cleaner and I am the master of colouring, styling and basket weaves.
Started off doing hair for extra money during school holidays, and when I finished matric, I never looked back - hair automatically became my passion.
With my short-term experience, I have won hair competitions, and this has encouraged me to complete my apprenticeship in a few months then I’ll be called a qualified stylist.
I look forward to one day creating an opportunity for young stylists to reach their potential.