A MAKEUP artist from the Borders has received Highly Commended recognition accolade at a top wedding awards ceremony.

Anna Millington, who is based in St Boswells, took one of the top prizes in the Best Makeup Artist of the Year category at the Scottish VOWS Awards, with the ceremony held at the Hilton in Glasgow.

And the 38-year-old, who has only been in business since 2014, says she has been “overwhelmed” by the support of her customers.

She told the Border Telegraph that after she put in an entry: “The VOWS awards are very prestigious for wedding suppliers, so I decided to enter myself.“You then need to get as many votes as possible and a lot of my brides voted for me. 

“I am so grateful to them all. 

“Everyone has been really supportive and I have had so many messages of support. 

“It feels like all of my dreams have come true. I am completely overwhelmed.

“Once I had got the votes, there were six of us through to the next stage and I had to write a personal statement of two to three thousand words. 

“It was then left to the panel, who gave me the Highly Recommended Recognition award after I was mystery shopped.”

And it isn’t the first time that Anna has received recognition for her services.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted with this as in January, I was also awarded runner-up in the Confetti Awards and was shortlisted as Makeup Artist of the Year in August in the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards.

“It has been amazing for business and as I have said, I have had a fantastic response,” she continued. 

“I’ve got around 1,700 likes on Facebook now,” she added.

The Borders was also well represented at the awards ceremony, with many local businesses nominated for top prizes.

Anna added: “Makeup artist Danni Burnside from Peebles, photographers EnaMay and and the Story of Love by Natalie Martin, were nominated, along with florists Stems and a bridal shop in Galashiels, so that was good to see.”