Yasmen Holyday

As the countdown continues for Face of the Future 2011, Tracey O’Sullivan profiles anther of the eight young finalists selected for the competition.

Seven young women are hoping to be crowned the Face of the Future 2011 in a contest organised by the Shropshire Star and Telford Shopping Centre.

The men’s winner has already been named as Danny Morris and the women’s winner will be declared on New Year’s Day. A £150 shopping spree is in store for both winners and more finalists’ profiles will appear in the Shropshire Star in coming days.

Sixteen-year-old Yasmen Holyday was nominated by her mother Claire as a gesture to show the teenager just how proud she was of how she had coped with a sustained campaign of bullying.

Claire said Yasmen, from Telford, has been bullied by six people for a long time cause her and her family great distress.

But she added that Yasmen’s strength of character had seen her come through the situation and even manage to make friends with some of those who had at one time been the ones to have bullied her.

“One of the reasons I nominated Yasmen was because she gives so much to people because she is so kind-hearted but unfortunately it can sometimes be taken advantage of. Yasmen was badly bullied by six people for a long time.

“Like all bullies it was for no reason other than we think Yasmen was an easy target because she would not fight back.

“This was such an awful time for Yasmen and for her family but with her amazing strength and the support she has had from her family and others she never gave in, and thankfully after some 18 months it stopped. Now some of the bullies are her friends which shows such character.

“I wanted Yasmen to have an experience that she would remember and something that would show how far she has come. I do think she would make a great Face of the Future winner.”

Yasmen said she enjoyed her makeover and spending the day at the photoshoot

“It was great fun just to be able to get dressed up and to meet all the others taking part,” she said.

“I would really enjoy meeting people if I was to win Face of the Future and to encourage others never to give up even when things seem really difficult.”

Look: Yasmen’s dress was by Designers at Debenhams while Josh Humphries, from Dreams Hair and Beauty which has salons in Madeley and Shifnal designer, said her hair and make-up was aimed at giving xtra glamour for the party look.

Her edgy bob was teased into curls for lift and volume while smoky eyes and natural colours complimented her olive skin tone to complete the look.