The Palmerston North UCOL's atrium was transformed into a makeshift salon as would-be stylists coiffed, curled and clipped faux hair until it became a portal to past fashions.

Nimble fingers deftly tucked a strand of hair away here, or teased a curl to sit there at yesterday's History of Hair competition, which involved 27 students from the Palmerston North, Wairarapa and Whanganui UCOL sites.

One mannequin was transformed into an Egyptian pharaoh wearing a gold and black headdress, while another became a flowing mass of flowers and curls - history brought to life with the help of hairspray and hair pins.

Entrants were tasked with creating a look from a hairstyle in a past era or a look based on a culture.

But it was Palmerston North student Toni Albert's seafaring hairstyle, inspired from the 18th century, that won over the judges and crowd.

Miss Albert came first, but it was not just the judges who were impressed. She also won the People's Choice vote and the Best Portfolio.

Palmerston North student Celeste Couchman came second and Whanganui's Otos Delves was third. Mr Delves also won the Most Professional prize.

UCOL hairdressing lecturer Gillian Gosper said the hard work put in by the students made it difficult for the judges.

Some of the standards the students were judged on included the all-round finish and creativity, she said.

"And no pins were allowed to be showing."

Last year's winner, Jean Strum, judged the entries, alongside Schwarzkopf technical educator Tracey Kurta and Sarah Wildermoth, from Hairworks.

- © Fairfax NZ News