Rachel has head for hair

MELISSA JONES

A YOUNG Kiama hairdresser could soon be winging her way to New York after being chosen as a finalist in a national competition.

Rachel Spinelli, of Spectrum Hair, is a finalist in the inaugural Redken Red Raw Colour Competition, which aims to give undiscovered colourists a kick-start to their careers.

Ms Spinelli will fly to Melbourne this week for the final judging and to take part in a professional photo shoot.

"We are thrilled Rachel has made it so far in this competition," said Spectrum Hair owner Olwyn Frost.

"She has emerged to become one of our top colourists and we are so proud for her to represent us in this national competition."

Ms Spinelli described her style as a "punk rock look" and very textured.

Her original hair design was judged one of the six best of more than 400 entries.

Ms Spinelli started as an apprentice at Spectrum Hair in 2002 and is now a senior stylist.

She was did her design in Kiama and sent a photo to the judges.

"It was hard because you didn't know what the judges were expecting," she said.

If she is successful, she will win a trip to New York for five days and assist on an editorial shoot and the opportunity to take part in a creative colour education event at the Redken Exchange, which is also held in New York. Even if she doesn't achieve that, she will still share in a total prize pool of $40,000.