Local hairstylist Lee Cenaiko of Zebedeez Hair Design recently competed with team Canada in a hairstyling competition in Paris.
Cenaiko competed in two different categories: prestige bridal and prestige gala where she placed ninth and 13th respectively. The competition took place Sept. 13-16.
Prestige bridal is where the model has straight flat hair. The competitor must put every hair in place within 30 minutes.
“The bridal we spent time practising and practising and practising,” she said. “I felt confident in that I got to the point that I didn’t have to figure out what I was going to do next, it was just a well oiled machine.”
Gala isn’t as restrictive as bridal, since the competitor has a number of hours to work on a hairstyle that typically features ornaments and hairpieces.
“It (gala) was pretty planned out and it turned out well,” she said.
“I love competition. It’s kind of like a sport,” said Cenaiko.
She compared the experience to sports again when recalling what it was like to be on the stage competing.
“I spent a lot of time in my mind working that out so I wouldn’t be overwhelmed. So it’s just like a sports thing. Doesn’t matter where you are in the finals you just have to focus on what you’re going to do and forget the noise out there,” she said.
The thing that she looks back on most fondly is the cabana where they put all of the teams behind the scenes.
“Our area was right across from the American one,” said Cenaiko. “You start making friendships and if someone on our team was lacking something the Americans would say ‘oh I got that.’ It was camaraderie.”
“Even though you’re competing against them, you can be good friends with them at the same time,” she said.
Cenaiko plans on continuing to compete, but doesn’t have anything set in stone.
