Our Face of 2018 modelling competition reaches next stage as judges choose their favourites

Earlier this year we teamed up with a group of fashion and beauty experts to launch a filter-free modelling competition.

The dozens of entries were whittled down to a final 15 and our judges - Scott Spock Photography, celebrity hairdresser Neville Ramsay and make up artist Amanda Bell - met this week at the city’s Engine Room bar to choose their favourites.

The standard proved so high that they struggled to choose one boy and one girl from the photos submitted, so they’ve chosen their favourite seven to meet in person, to decide which entrants will take the winning crowns.

Neville Ramsay, who’s styled hair for the likes of Sting and American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, said: “We were really impressed with the standard of the entries, but there were seven entrants we just couldn’t choose between and we’d really like to see them in the flesh.

“They all look fantastic in their photos and we just couldn’t choose between them, so we’ve had to create another stage in the contest.

“Modelling isn’t all about looks, we want someone with a great personaaplity and confidence too, so we need to meet them in person.”

The final seven as selected by the judges are Ellie Nash, Natasha Christopher, Nadia Watson, Rachel Crago, Evan Longford, Jude Lawless and Ethan Temple.

We’l be contacting the finalists in the coming days to arrange a time for them to get together and meet the judges.

The winning boy and girl will receive a photo shoot with Scott Spock Photography, which will appear in the Sunderland Echo, with styling for the shoot from Neville and Amanda; six months of hair styling, complete with Milkshake hair products; a make-up session with Amanda at her studio in Norton, Cleveland, and a consultation, with the potential for a contract, at Savalas Models.

Neville said: “There’s people with a lot of potential in this area, but sometimes they just don’t get the opportunities up here. This competition is a great way to take a potential modelling career to the next level.”