Hair stylist in Fifield ‘buzzing’ to be Hair and Beauty Awards rising star nominee

A hair stylist in Fifield was ‘buzzing’ to learn she has been nominated for the rising star award at the Hair and Beauty Awards 2026.

Sophie Stockton launched Hair by Sophie Leah in August 2025 and was amazed to learn she’d been shortlisted as a finalist in the national awards only six months after going self-employed.

This is the first nomination for the 22-year-old, having trained and worked in a hair salon in Windsor for nearly six years before opening her own business.

“I thought I wanted more out of my career, so I took a leap of faith and opened my own studio, so it’s all very new,” she told the Advertiser.

Originally from Lincolnshire, Sophie moved to the Royal Borough seven years ago and has a clientele hailing from Holyport, Bracknell and Windsor.

“Now I can run my own collar, I can spend more time with my clients, and it’s a lot more chill now, so I much prefer it that way,” she said.

“It’s not rushed and strict timing. Being able to spend more time with clients is nice. I like all sides of hairdressing; it depends on the person.”

Hair by Sophie Leah offers a range of services, including cutting, colouring, and styling, and operates out of a rented studio located at 1 Memorial Cottage.

“It’s been absolutely great, I've had no issues, everything has run quite smoothly, and the money has been a lot better. If anything, I love the job more now,” Sophie said.

“I only had a couple of people that followed, but a lot of our new clients started from scratch, so it’s just building up that clientele.”

Sophie didn’t have aspirations to become a hairstylist, but knew it was the right calling once she started the job.

“I was a greenkeeper on a golf course, so it was very different. It was just a try and see how it is, but once I started the job, I fell in love with it,” she said.

“In whatever I’ve done, I've always wanted to be on top. When I was a greenkeeper, I wanted to be the head greenkeeper. Now, I’m a hairdresser, and I want to be the best. I always want to be the best version of myself.”

Sophie learned about her nomination on January 8 and finds out if she has made the top 50 spot at the finals in Manchester this August.

“My ego and my confidence – I couldn’t walk out the door, my head was so big,” said Sophie, reflecting on her nomination.

“I was absolutely buzzing with that.

“I think the confidence boost is definitely good when I’ve just started. It's quite a big thing in the hair industry, so to even be a finalist is quite decent.

“Winning would be big, it would be mega.”

Sophie said it ‘means a lot’ that the judges saw potential in her application, and she’s glad she had the confidence to take a chance in the rising star category.

“It’s about the newer generation, who’s going to go far in the industry, that’s what they'

‘re looking for – the dedication and the time they give to their clients. Who’s going to be the next big hairdresser?” she said.

“I thought I might have a chance, and it gave me the confidence to go for the rising star category.

“My family and friends have been so happy and so proud. They've all been such a great supportive network.”