The Afro Hair & Beauty show will take place at the Business Design Centre on Sunday and Monday

BEAUTY businesses from across the borough, and further afield, will be taking over the Business Design Centre this weekend for a 44th annual convention of “Europe’s premier” Afro Hair & Beauty show.

Barbers, hairdressers, make-up artists, and skincare specialists are all expected to showcase their skills and their products to the public on Sunday and Monday.

Diana Dahlia, who organises the event, said: “We have a stage with performers, lots of give-aways and demos. There’s jewellery, make-up, fashion, lifestyle, there’s a lot going on.”

The hotly-contested Battle of the Barbers competition will see participants showcase their cutting skills and razor-sharp fades in the pursuit of a cash prize. “For the first time, we have a woman sponsoring the Battle of the Barbers, and women competing,” said Ms Dahlia, “Women seem to be running the barbering world, which hasn’t happened before!”